AraPacis

Hard Rock / Progressive / Doom Metal from Montreal, Canada

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Band Members:
Jerry Fielden -- Lead Guitar, Back Vocals, Synths, Mandolin
Shelle Macpherson -- Lead Vocals

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Biography:

AraPacis (Ara-Patches) is a female-fronted metal band hailing from Montreal, Canada. Formed in 2003 by guitarist Jerry Fielden, and fronted by Scots singer Shelle Macpherson, their main goal is to re-create some of the original aspects of 1970's Hard Rock and Progressive Rock and fuse it together with 21st Century Prog Metal, Doom Metal & Metalcore to make an interesting metal hybrid. AraPacis have shared the stage with acts such as Blaze Bayley, Uli Jon Roth, Anvil, Raven, the Agonist, Doro, etc. Their debut album '‘So Many Leapers’' was released in April of 2006 and their second album '‘Consequences Of Dreams’' was released on October 5, 2009. The band released their 3rd album, "Netherworld" in digital version on Dec. 19, 2011 and CD version in February 2012. An EP of older songs in updated versions, Déjà-vu, was released in March 2013. AraPacis released their 4th Album "A Disturbing Awakening" in December 2014 and released their 5th Album "System Deceive" in April 2016. AraPacis have finished working on their 6th album and are now working on a second EP of older songs in a doom mode. They have had noted guests on their albums such as Guy LeBlanc (RIP) of Camel and Nathan Mahl, Steph Honde of Di'Anno and Hollywood Monsters, Don Airey of Deep Purple, Rainbow, Jethro Tull, etc., Vinny Appice of Black Sabbath, Dio, etc. and John Gallagher of Raven, amongst others.

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When Hard Rock meets Doom Metal you have AraPacis and their album Obsolete Continuum. The edgy riffs and epic guitar solos you come to know and love with rock music married to the heavy and somber tones you expect from metal. But in a way that can only be done by this epic musical duo from Montreal, Canada.

Syndrome sets the mood for the album perfectly. The haunting vocal style that goes almost operatic in some places. A dark menacing growl vocal that is lurking in the background, as if a beast is watching an angel that is struggling with some inner demon and trying to make sense of it all. Then enter in the enchanting guitar solo that helps you break the chains that seemed to get a little tight. Syndrome really plays with the inner darkness and light of the human mind and soul, in a rather simplistic way, and when you think you have finally found peace, they turn up the intensity yet again.   

Click to listen to "Syndrome" by AraPacis

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They display their musical diversity quite perfectly in Kicking Around Blues. It has a nice mellow vibe that gets you in this groove to kick back and enjoy the moment. I really appreciate when artists go outside of their typical genres and incorporate what I consider genres that are becoming lost in the music world, like Blues. Then to add their own personal touch of punchy guitar riffs and every now and again a little snarl of metal, makes it the perfect way to introduce the younger generations to this style that the industry has forgotten. The lyrics are catchy and will be stuck in your head for days to come, where you could be making dinner and all of a sudden realize you are singing this song while you cook. Which is a good thing because that means the song is memorable and has danced its way into your soul.   

The Brute, dare I say is almost a playful Doom Metal song. But it is not straight Doom Metal, they add in their edgy rocker touch. But it’s playful in the sense of the vocal range on the song as well as the drumbeat, if I dare to express the image I get while listening to this song, is a sinister playground where adults come to play childhood games, set in a Stephen King kind of way. The song plays with your ears as well with the change ups and break downs, almost a hypnotic cadence of a somber guitar with the solo playing in forefront. It redefines a chaotic style done with a clear point of view.

But fear not music lovers, once you love this album, and I know you will, there is hope on the horizon for yet another musical fix. If I understand it correctly, AraPacis is working on yet another album to corrupt the masses which I am certain it will do just that. And while you wait for the new music release, be sure to check out their other albums and add them to your musical library to enjoy for years to come.   

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AraPacis Official Pages

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