Arð Sign to Prophecy Productions; Debut Album Take Up My Bones Due in 2022
Epic doom that doubles as a history lesson? Hell yes, you know I’m on board for that. Not everything Prophecy Productions puts out is necessarily applicable around here, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t interesting. You at least know that no matter what it is — and “it” in this instance can encompass a fairly broad aesthetic range — it’s going to have depth and atmosphere, and with the just-signed Arð, the imprint continues to push boundaries while also celebrating its 25th anniversary. The solo-project of UK-based multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Mark Deeks (also of Winterfylleth) will make its debut through Prophecy early next year with Take Up My Bones.
For anyone whose doctoral thesis wasn’t on National Identity in Northern and Eastern European Heavy Metal — that must’ve been a Nazi-tastic bit of academia, right there — or who might not be familiar with the story of Saint Cuthbert, there’s a video at the bottom of this post that introduces the themes as well as the music itself that’s working with them. As someone who’s also interested in the interplay between locale and art, I dig it. And if you’re unfamiliar, Northumbria is the region between Northern England and Scotland.
From the PR wire:
ARÐ sign deal with PROPHECY PRODUCTIONS
ARÐ have signed a multi-album deal with Prophecy Productions. The Northumbrian doom project has been conceived by vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and lyricist Mark Deeks in 2019. ARÐ will release their debut full-length “Take Up My Bones” via the label in early 2022.
ARÐ comment: “I am honoured to become a part of the rich musical history of Prophecy Productions, especially in the label’s 25th anniversary year”, writes musical and lyrical mastermind Mark Deeks. “Seeing my music on the same label as names such as Falkenbach, Tenhi, and Empyrium is humbling. I am both excited to work with the team at Prophecy and grateful for the faith they have placed in me.”
Martin Koller adds: “When I received the unsigned album, I was immediately struck by how easily ARÐ’s music fits Prophecy’s roster”, tells the founder of Prophecy Productions. “Mark’s lyrical concept also gives their songs the artistic equivalent of what wine makers call ‘terroir’: a particular taste that is created by local soil, climate, and other regional factors. This is something that I am also looking for in bands, which resulted in the quickest signing in the history of this label.”
ARÐ have created an introductory video that can be viewed below.
ARÐ are of Northumbria. Formed by vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and lyricist Mark Deeks in 2019, the band’s name is taken from an Old English word meaning “native land” in the dialect of the Anglian Kingdom of Northumbria. The concept behind the debut album “Take Up My Bones“ from this insular doom metal project revolves around the legendary relics of the famous Northumbrian saint Cuthbert and their long journey over more than two centuries to their final resting place.
ARÐ have based their lyrical concept upon a solid doom foundation, a genre, which easily leans itself to such topics as prophecy, funeral, and hermitage related to St. Cuthbert. The ancient kingdom of Northumbria, named by the Germanic invaders, who built upon the heritage of the peoples that inhabited these lands before such as the Brittonic “Celtic” Votadini and their Roman conquerors, also plays a starring role in the concept of ARÐ’s debut album.
With crushing glacial-paced doom, monastic sounding chants and choirs, and sorrowful yet epic melodies, ARÐ have found the perfect musical expression to narrate a riveting tale of their homelands, of which a first taste can be heard in the background music of the introductory video that is taken from the forthcoming album’s title track ‘Take Up My Bones’.
Mark Deeks, who earned his PhD in Philosophy on the topic of “National Identity in Northern and Eastern European Heavy Metal”, is also a member of leading UK black metal stalwarts WINTERFYLLETH and keeps himself busy as a musical director, arranger, piano coach, and conductor as well as a best selling author.
Line-up
Mark Deeks – vocals, all rhythm guitars, piano, keyboards, and bass
www.facebook.com/ardnorthumbria
www.instagram.com/ardnorthumbria
https://www.facebook.com/prophecyproductions/
https://prophecy-de.bandcamp.com/
http://en.prophecy.de/
