Arcturus has always been "different" than other bands from the dark metal genre. And ever since the brilliant "La Masquerade Infernale" (1996) album knows that the gentle listener of music this all-star band from Norway. "Sideshow Symphonies" again offers a full range of bombastic Space Avantgarde Metal. This is often named in my opinion the best sound on this album. The ingenious keyboard playing of Steinar "Sverd" Johnsen (The Kovenant), coupled with the tight drums of Jan Axel "Hellhammer" Blomberg (Mayhem), the virtuoso guitar sounds and vocals from new old singer Simen "Vortex" Hestnaes (Borknagar, Dimmu Borgir ) combine to create an ingenious work of dark sound art. Occasional Black Metal parts alternate with spherical Elektonikklängen, female vocals and clear vocals, making this CD a real experience. Simen Hestnaes sounds different from Garm (Ulver) of on the last album "Sham Mirrors" (2002) mainly sang, but he does his job very well here. But this will remain a matter of personal choice ultimately. Incidentally, there is on the album with the final track "Hufna" again sung in Norwegian piece. My verdict: earned 5 stars! Arcturus have again increased in comparison with the very good "Sham Mirrors" and created a classic. Playing tips: "Shipwrecked Frontier Pioneer", "Evacuation Code Deciphered" & "Moonshine Delirium".
