Ark biography (http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=753)
Hailing from Toten, Norway, ARK was founded by guitarist Tore OSTBY after his influential, early progressive metal outfit CONCEPTION had disbanded the previous year. He was initially joined by his friend, experienced drummer John MACALUSO, a former graduate of the California Percussion Institute of Technology and band member of MCM, POWERMAD, TNT & RIOT. Together, John and Tore created an amalgamation of musical styles underpinned by groove laden heavy progressive rock rhythms blended with flamenco guitars, double bass drumming and Floydian soundscapes. The arduous search for a singer with a wide and expressive range, capable of articulating the demanding material, ended with the recruitment of Jorn LANDE, former frontman for THE SNAKES (with Bernie MARSDEN & Mickey MOODY), and symphonic metal outfit MUNDANUS IMPERIUM. The trio made the conscious decision to move away from writing commercial hard rock material which had influenced their backgrounds, the consequence of which was to provide a considerably more influential legacy for the progressive metal genre than a mere two albums would suggest.
This creative outpouring resulted in their critically acclaimed, eponymous debut "Ark" (1999). With the help of Trond Nagell DAHL on keyboards, the trio created an album of great diversity, displaying a dynamic sound firmly grounded in hard rock, blended with intricate rhythmical patterns and an addictive melodic structure which appealed to a wide cross section of listeners across the rock and metal fraternity. With the bass sound oddly suppressed, the rhythm section is compensated for in MACALUSO's creative drum rhythms, while OSTBY creates some very unusual flamenco-style guitar work on "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame".
LANDE, whose versatile vocal style could alternate effortlessly between Steve PERRY, David COVERDALE, Ronnie DIO and STING, proved a popular frontman across the concert circuit, the band quickly developing a strong cult following. With appeal gathering momentum, work started on a follow up, for which bassist Randy COVEN (Steve VAI, Steve MORSE, MOUNTAIN) and keyboard player Mats OLAUSSON (Yngwie MALMSTEEN) were drafted in to enhance the overall sound. Their second album, "Burn The Sun" (2001), produced by Tommy NEWTON and considered to be an underground progressive metal landmark, took the band a noticeable step further in their development, incorporating eastern rhythms and chants, juxtaposed against Latin sections and now trademark ever shifting time signatures.
The band describe the loose concept behind the album as thus: "The album tells of unrest and disturbance in the universal balance of our planet. Beginning at the Earth's core, the music unfolds to encompass dry land, the sea, and the creatures of the Earth, the sky, space and beyond. When you think about it, you really can't burn the sun - still we all try every day of our lives, pushing to get ahead not taking notice of the people around us, on a course or mission leading to the unknown. Always pushing toward a common goal but sometimes that goal is an impossible one and some will die trying, trying to "Burn The Sun".
After touring in support of the album, ARK took a hiatus and eventually disbanded in 2002, LANDE already having taken the decision to join Roland GRAPOW and Uli KUSCH in forming power metal outfit MASTERPLAN, as well as pursuing his own solo career. Prior to the break up announcement however, unpublished sketches and ideas from various band members for what would have been used on the third album, were eventually utilised by John MACALUSO & UNION RADIO, on his album "The Radio Waves Goodbye" (2007). In 2009, MACALUSO announced that he had reunited with OSTBY, COVEN & OLAUSSON, and that work on the third ARK album, entitled "Aradiokaos" was underway, later having recruited Adrian HOLTZ as replacement vocalist. Sadly, nothing further was heard until 2011, when he regrettably confirmed the cancellation of the production, with ARK officially disbanding.
Stylistically, ARK carved their own unique niche within the progressive metal field, influencing more than they were influenced by, with the consequence that it is difficult to find direct comparisons. That said, anyone enjoying their music should become acquainted with the four albums created by Tore OSTBY's previous band, CONCEPTION, a greatly respected pioneer of Scandinavian progressive metal, while fans of Jorn LANDE's vocal style should try out BEYOND TWILIGHT's debut; while his two MASTERPLAN albums also come recommended, although these are structurally more straightforward.
Studio Albums: "Ark" (1999), "Burn the Sun" (2001).
Final Members:
Tore OSTBY: Guitar
John MACALUSO: Drums & percussion
Jorn LANDE: Vocals
Randy COVEN: Bass
Mats OLAUSSON: Keyboards
Biography by Jared
Thanks Magal
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