Arkado (SWEDEN)

[Horex]

Arkado - Never Say Never (2020)











Year : 2020
Style : Melodic Hard Rock , AOR
Country : Sweden
Audio : 320 kbps + scans
Size : 100 mb

Bio:

The foundation of our band, started already in 1983. 30 years after band was dissolved, all the band members was re-united, due to an Inquiry of playing at a local arrangement. In August 2018, the band was re-formed, with some new additional members, and the songwriting process, started to proceed in a very good speed. New songs is produced oncontinuous basis, and only a single few old songs, was “allowed” to continue into our “new” band, which now is re-named to ARKADO Our joint and fundamental idea, which have been true all the years, is only to play and perform, our own written material and songs. We still live after this same milestone. Type of our music, is somewhere to be in AOR genre. Musicality with all out hooks & big backing vocals is a red line in our music. To express and generate specific feelings and mood. We do not represent the “roughest” part of AOR music,and would like to execute the right to try to keep some good width in our musically “bank”.

Album:

AOR Heaven Records will release at the end of the month “Never Say Never“, the debut album by ARKADO. The band hails from Sweden and plays melodic rock / AOR without compromises.Their first ever full-length release in thirty-seven years of ‘band history’ (of which the band didn’t exist for the most part) is full of melodies and versatile arrangements. A great Eighties-style record… from 2020.Arkado were founded in 1983 in Ödåkra (near Helsingborg), Sweden.Originally, the band was called BB2 (Better Be Together), and they recorded a vinyl single which became the hymn of the football club Ödåkra IF and is still played there at every match.Since then they played occasional gigs, while busy with other projects.In May 2018, BB2 played a sold out live concert in Helsingborg, and in August of the same year, the band added some new members.The ‘new’ band was named ARKADO which is back to front for their hometown Ödåkra, and now presents its first full-length AOR album.Let alone the mighty “Don’t Rape The Nature“ shine. Also the emotional “My Hometown“ is a true highlight as well as midtempo “So Fine“, a classic AOR ballad.“Never Say Never“ will delight fans of ROULETTE, SAPPHIRE EYES or AGE OF REFLECTION, too.An acoustic version of the title track ends the album with a sweet touch, showcasing these songs were written old-school, just with a guitar / piano at hand, and ARKADO made them huge with a bombastic instrumentation / production.

Line Up:

Philip Lindstrom (vocals, guitar)
Martin Kirschner (guitar)
Mats Nilsson (guitar)
Mikael Svensson (keyboards, backing vocals)
Bernt Lundgren (bass)
Mikael Skafar (drums, backing vocals)ds

Tracklist:

01. So Bad
02. To Leave it all Behind
03. Never say Never
04. Don’t rape the Nature
05. Walk your way
06. If We Are to Last
07. My Hometown
08. She’s So fine
09. Eagle
10. Carry my Heart
11. Never say Never Again




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/

[Horex]

Arkado - Open Sea (2024)











Year : 2024
Style : Melodic Hard Rock , AOR
Country : Sweden
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 94 mb

Bio:

The foundation of our band, started already in 1983. 30 years after band was dissolved, all the band members was re-united, due to an Inquiry of playing at a local arrangement. In August 2018, the band was re-formed, with some new additional members, and the songwriting process, started to proceed in a very good speed. New songs is produced oncontinuous basis, and only a single few old songs, was “allowed” to continue into our “new” band, which now is re-named to ARKADO Our joint and fundamental idea, which have been true all the years, is only to play and perform, our own written material and songs. We still live after this same milestone. Type of our music, is somewhere to be in AOR genre. Musicality with all out hooks & big backing vocals is a red line in our music. To express and generate specific feelings and mood. We do not represent the “roughest” part of AOR music,and would like to execute the right to try to keep some good width in our musically “bank”.

Album:

Open Sea will be released on February 23, 2024.Accurate, curious and beautiful analogy illustrated by the vision of such an explanatory cover by Nello Dell’Omo. A ship from other times sets sail in the storm with the reference of the breakwater and the lighthouse looking for the navigation direction to the open sea. This is how the Swedes ARKADO approach and embark on the publication of this second album “OPEN SEA”, belonging to the shipping company Pride & Joy Music, will arrive in port on 2/23/24. ARKADO will navigate a difficult journey that will lead them to the vast and desired recognition of the Melodic Rock public. Having a proven captain like Philip Lindstrand on vocals and solo guitar provides them with good musical quality, and keyboardist Mikael Svensson once again performs the duties of helmsman on the recording successfully.The intro “Voyage” makes your hair stand on end in an instrumental atmosphere of inconsolable farewell…and before the unknown of the wide musical sea “Open Sea” opens, it reminds me so much of those Heartland, Prophet, Shotgun Shymphony, Zinatra or Royal Hunt first-timers who go back more than 25 years in a kind of temporal crack. A melodramatic mood is glimpsed in the crew and “Running through the night” separates itself from the more commercial gap and intensifies with winds of Nordic Hard Rock of continental scope. “I Gave my heart” sparkles vocally and gives sonic sparks….between Kent Hilli and Joey Tempest, between Chris Ousey and Eric Martin, between Larry L.A. Greene and Robert Ernlund…between Sarayasign and Perfect Plan, between Skagarack and the «previous» Treat, between Fortune and Harlan Cage or between Europe and Heartland adding any good level band that exists, or existed, from CLASSIC HARD AOR. To sample the fantastic and mega melodic single “You make my feel”, leaving a trail of reminder to the beloved Scandinavian AOR, meanwhile Philip Lindstrand sings it in the style of Mikael Erlandsson with sensitive bits and turns from Eric Martin.With full sail and the storm is behind us, this is what the powerful and melodic “Rising High” announces with its intense guitars and powerful hitting rhythm. The voice does not breathe, a synchronized group effort, they swing at cruising speed and beat down the changing waves with total etermination. Symphonism, without the aim of being progressive, is a peculiar detail that they add to her songs, and this strange “Her Mother Lullaby” brims with House of Shakira classicism and conveys the atmosphere of a neoclassical period.The coordinates and parameters discovered by the genius Eric Martin in the last century are based on “Long way to go” to rescue the shipwrecked AOR with a Pop float and a Soul launched as a rescue line. Those massive keyboards glimpse something important in “Unchain the night” and share it with the rocking guitars until the night reveals an excessive taste for the Nordic, metallic and melodic lands that we conquered in the 80’s-90’s. Rock at night supported by Treat and closed to the rhythm of Europe. Clear and concise is the map presented and designed by ARKADO in “Like something heaven sent” when it seems that we will end up in the vibrato of the most tender and melodic Joey Tempest. With a Perfect Plan we will finally set foot in Heartland and Chris Ousey and Kent Hilli will always be waiting for us well tuned. The good influences do not have to be innumerable if they are the right ones and ARKADO casts its moorings with the serene and persuasive “Show me the light again” between percussions, cheers and chanted dedications to the European AOR of infinite structures with exits to the Sea.It is a difficult task for any band to stand out in this style of Melodic Rock. You must be very precise with the songs, provide an extra bit of natural originality and be adjusted to the sound that we all fell in love with, including musicians, in the glorious and mammoth years of the European genre with international ambitions. ARKADO achieves it with this album.

Line Up:

Philip Lindstrom - vocals, guitar
Martin Kirschner - guitar
Mats Nilsson - guitar
Mikael Svensson - keyboards, backing vocals
Bernt Lundgren - bass
Mikael Skafar - drums, backing vocals

Tracklist:

01. Voyage
02. Open Sea
03. Running Through The Night
04. I Gave My Heart
05. You Make Me Feel
06. Rising High
07. Her Mother's Lullaby
08. Long Way To Go
09. Unchain The Night
10. Like Something Heaven Sent
11. Show The Light Again




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/

[Horex]

Arkado - III (2026)













Year : 2026
Style : Melodic Hard Rock , AOR
Country : Sweden
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 110 mb

Bio:

The foundation of our band, started already in 1983. 30 years after band was dissolved, all the band members was re-united, due to an Inquiry of playing at a local arrangement. In August 2018, the band was re-formed, with some new additional members, and the songwriting process, started to proceed in a very good speed. New songs is produced oncontinuous basis, and only a single few old songs, was “allowed” to continue into our “new” band, which now is re-named to ARKADO Our joint and fundamental idea, which have been true all the years, is only to play and perform, our own written material and songs. We still live after this same milestone. Type of our music, is somewhere to be in AOR genre. Musicality with all out hooks & big backing vocals is a red line in our music. To express and generate specific feelings and mood. We do not represent the “roughest” part of AOR music,and would like to execute the right to try to keep some good width in our musically “bank”.

Album:

Founded in the early 80s in Helsingborg, Sweden, as BB2 (Better Be Together), all over the decade Melodic Hard Rock/AOR band ARKADO performed their own music influenced but the likes Toto, Europe, Survivor, etc.The group recorded some demos, but disbanded 1988.30 years after band dissolved, all members re-united, due to an inquiry of playing at a local arrangement. The magic was still there… Although a few members chose not to continue, the rest of the band remained eager to create fresh music. BB2 embraced a new identity and a new name: ARKADO.In 2018, Arkado was formed, with some new additional members, and the songwriting process, started to proceed in a very good speed. Arkado released a very strong debut CD in 2020 via AOR Heaven, and an even better sophomore LP in 2024.Now, next November 2026, ARKADO will release their third opus “Arkado III“, and we are featuring it in exclusive here.The mastermind behind the ARKADO experience is keyboardist Mikael Svensson, whose songwriting artistry shines throughout the entire new work. We can safely say that ”Arkado III” captures the band at its finest, delivering eleven tracks brimming with unforgettable songs and soaring melodies. Just watch the advance video/singles below…We can definitely hear some Europe and H.E.A.T influences in this new album… and that is undoubtedly a compliment!

Line Up:

Philip Lindstrom - vocals, guitar
Patrik Svärd - guitar
Tony Rothla - guitar
Christer Engholm - bass
Mikael Skafar - drums, backing vocals
Mikael Svensson - keyboards, backing vocals

+ guest:

Anette Johansson - female vocals

Tracklist:

01. A Little Too Late
02. We Keep Climbing
03. Crown Of Lies
04. Hourglass
05. Victoria
06. Sad Clown
07. Phoenix & Stardust (feat. Anette Johansson)
08. Forever Younghearts
09. Too Much To Handle
10. Rockstar
11. Heart Full Of Thunder




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/