After his debut album, Valley in the Clouds, in 1987, David Arkenstone has emerged as one of the most captivating and productive instrumentalists in modern times. Throughout his many years in the music industry, he has been nominated for GRAMMY awards for his albums Pangaea, Fairy Dreams, Atlantis, Citizen of the World, and In the Wake of the Wind. His music, known for its luxurious and absorbing characteristics, has accumulated more than 1.1 billion streams globally. Arkenstone has made over 70 albums, written music for movies and TV shows, developed video game soundtracks for World of Warcraft, and designed themes for NBC Sports broadcasts such as The Kentucky Derby, The British Open, and Premier League soccer. His music has truly become the background music for millions of listeners around the world.
David Arkenstone’s most recent album, “Quest For The Runestone,” which came out on July 1st, 2024, guarantees a memorable experience for its listeners. Drawing influence from Celtic, Nordic, and cinematic music traditions, “Quest For The Runestone” mirrors Arkenstone’s previous concept albums with its bold and brilliant experience.
Reflecting on his earlier career, Arkenstone notes, “Earlier in my career, I was very pleased to see how the concept albums I recorded were met with great enjoyment from my fans. I sort of miss that time, now that most music consumption has become mainly ‘track based,’ meaning people commonly listen to curated playlists of songs from various artists. That is a great way to discover new music, of course, but I wanted to create something that would be a rich and engaging experience from start to finish.”
Quest For The Runestone Album Track List:
Prophecy:
The first track of ‘Quest For The Runestone’, titled “Prophecy”, establishes a haunting and atmospheric mood for the rest of the album. The song starts with a disturbing, spooky sound that quickly grabs the listener’s interest. The beginning ambiance is established through a voice that hums in a eerie, spooky manner, surrounding the listener with a feeling of impending doom. The eerie soundtrack acts as an ideal prelude, getting the audience ready for what’s to come.
During the course of the track, a militaristic rhythm is added, smoothly mixing with the already spooky background. This rhythmic aspect creates a feeling of immediacy and strain, as though bracing for an oncoming conflict. The rhythm pushes the composition ahead, heightening the eerie and chilling atmosphere. The rhythmic sounds of war enhance the spooky atmosphere, leading to an engaging and suspenseful listening journey.
Deeper into the song, haunting voices are introduced to the mix, bringing a significant depth to the arrangement. These voices add a feeling of seriousness and enigma, elevating the eerie atmosphere of the track. The stacking of these components produces a lush and intricate auditory environment that is both disturbing and captivating. “Prophecy” serves as a perfect introduction to ‘Quest For The Runestone’, creating a strong and haunting atmosphere that establishes the tone for the entire album. From start to finish, the music intrigues the audience, pulling them into the enigmatic and shadowy universe that David Arkenstone has created.
Réann:
“Réann”, the fourth track on ‘Quest For The Runestone’, begins with a heartfelt, emotionally impactful melody that instantly captivates the listener. This opening tune creates a profound and contemplative mood, encouraging the audience to fully engage with its captivating elegance. As the song continues, the tune changes into a tinged pattern with a clear melancholic vibe, bringing about feelings of sadness and reflection. This smooth transition in emotion leads the listener to a somber, reflective environment, preparing for the track’s emotional exploration.
Although it has vocal accompaniment, “Réann” mainly uses its instrumentation to communicate its deep, soulful essence. The deliberate placement of musical tools forms a complex, layered sonic environment that conveys a powerful message without relying on language. The sad notes of the tune, along with the complex arrangement of instruments, create a strong feeling of yearning and self-reflection. Every note appears to hold a heavy load of emotion, enabling the music to convey intricate emotions that words cannot fully portray.
During the entire performance, “Réann” captures the audience’s attention, putting them in a reflective emotional state. The track stands out on the album due to its ability to bring out powerful emotions, prompting listeners to reflect on their own experiences and feelings. The deeply emotional and sorrowful feeling evoked by “Réann” is both eerie and lovely, leaving a lasting impact even after the music stops playing. This song showcases David Arkenstone’s skill in crafting music that resonates with the soul and leaves a lasting impact.
Ocean Of Ice:
The sixth track on ‘Quest For The Runestone’, titled “Oceans Of Ice,” begins with a haunting, slow melody that instantly conveys a feeling of cold emptiness. This original tune is eerie and moody, creating an auditory image of expansive, icy terrains. The eerie melodies are quickly accompanied by celestial vocalizations, bringing a supernatural element to the music. These voices flow within the music, enriching the song’s spooky and mysterious vibe.
As the song advances, a rhythmic component is incorporated, smoothly merging with the eerie melody and soft humming vocals. The rhythmic nature gives a feeling of progress and motion, propelling the composition forward while holding onto its haunting and atmospheric center. The interaction of rhythm with haunting elements produces a rich and immersive soundscape that is both vast and personal. Adding rhythm enhances the emotional effect of the track, giving the listener the sensation of traveling through a huge, icy wilderness.
The overall soundscape of “Oceans Of Ice” is atmospheric and profoundly emotional. The haunting melody, ethereal voices, and rhythmic elements come together to create a captivating outworldly experience for the listener. The track stands out on the album for its skill in creating vivid imagery and emotions through its intricately crafted layers. “Oceans Of Ice” immerses listeners in a magical and icy realm, mesmerizing them with its stunning beauty and profoundness.
Secrets Of The Runestone:
The eleventh track on ‘Quest For The Runestone’, called “Secrets of the Runestones,” starts with a chilling background that quickly establishes a dramatic and intense atmosphere. Above this dense, atmospheric base, a woman’s voice soars, enhancing the composition with a touch of ethereal beauty and power. The contrast between the eerie music and the strong singing generates a feeling of suspense, similar to a war movie’s score. The initial moments captivate the listener, getting them ready for the energetic and daring adventure to come.
As the song continues, the powerful music becomes stronger, filling the listener with energy and resolve. The strong rhythms and intricate melodies conjure up visions of grand conflicts and courageous acts, transporting the listener to the edge of a monumental test. The instrumentation is vibrant and powerful, giving a compelling momentum to the track. The high-pitched female singing persists in navigating through this strong instrumental environment, bringing a hint of grace and strength to the intense sound composition.
The intense and compelling arrangement of “Secrets of the Runestones” captures attention from start to finish. The track stands out on the album due to its bold stance and lively energy. The intense combination of the instrumentation and the powerful vocal results in an exciting and captivating listening experience. This song makes listeners feel empowered and prepared to confront any challenge, representing courage and resilience. “Secrets of the Runestones” is a skillful combination of eerie vibes and powerful, energizing sounds, creating a lasting and powerful element of ‘Quest For The Runestone’.
Composed, produced, and performed by Arkenstone, “Quest For The Runestone” features David on a variety of instruments, including guitar, cittern, saz, flute, whistle, melodica, drums and percussion, handpan, bass, vocals, and keyboards. Among the musicians featured on the album is Eric Rigler, described as “the most recorded bagpiper of all time”, whose Uilleann pipes provide stirring, emotional waves of Celtic sound throughout. Another key player is Luanne Homzy, a veteran of many Arkenstone recordings, whose passionate violin and haunting Hardanger fiddle from Scandinavia dazzle the senses. The instrumentation in every track is dynamic, with each piece delivering its own message and speaking its own language.
Steve Sheppard of One World Music Radio praises the album, saying, “…a soundtrack masterwork…Arkenstone has produced an album of a lifetime”. This album is more than just a collection of songs; it is a carefully crafted journey that engages the listener from beginning to end. “Quest For The Runestone” is a testament to David Arkenstone’s ability to create immersive and enchanting musical landscapes. It’s an album that deserves to be experienced in its entirety, a rich and engaging experience from start to finish. Go check out this album and let it transport you to a world of ancient magic and timeless tales.
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