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Arachnes - Biography


Biography

The band ARACHNES formed back around 1995 when Caruso brothers (Enzo/Vocals and Franco/Guitars) decided to stop their hard-rock project Firehouse in order to give up a brand new musical-concept with lots of different influences and more oriented to the virtuoso-approach of guitars and arrangements.

Under an always enlighted inspiration, the Caruso Brothers developed the 'perfect ARACHNES sound' that takes life from an incredible wide range of influences: Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Van Halen, Toto, Rainbow, Whitesnake, Yj Malmsteen, ELP, Jethro Tull, Yes, Miles Davis, Bach, Chopin, Stravinskij, Bartok just to name a few. All these different vibes are what we usually call a refined and open-minded background, a logic start into a modern and completely personal 'heavy metal' dimension. From the heavy-roots to the modern technologies ARACHENES always take both power and melody and combine these 2 different sides in order to achieve the biggest impact.

The first step in their career was the debut album 'The Goddess Temple' released through the Italian label Lucretia Records (1997) followed by the mini-CD 'Metamorphosis' on Underground Symphony perfectly illustrated by the finest Spanish artwork maker Luis Royo. The best way to describe these 2 first releases is 'progressive-metal' even if the guitar approach is always on the first level and marks ARACHNES style with a romantic-neoclassical feeling (most respected Franco influence is without doubt Mr. Blackmore!).

After the release of the 'Metamorphosis' mini-CD the band had a break and changed the line-up few times. New bass and drum players were added and started to search a new record-label to get more exposure especially outside Italy. Arachnes signed a deal with Scarlet and started the working process for 'Parallel Worlds'. This is the beginning of the 'music-style evolution/revolution', building up more direct songs with lots of great power-speed riffing and an additional epic feeling, provided by choirs and orchestral hints. Especially the guitar of Frank Caruso moves between neo-classical and jazz influences, giving to ARACHNES something unique and far from the standards. 'Parallel Worlds' got excellent reviews around the world and for ARACHNES was the real breakthrough. Arachnes is not a the 'usual' power-speed metal from Italy! Arachnes has something more to offer!

The 3rd album 'Apocalypse' was the first musical 'concept' written by the band. The sound was even more mature and offered the same crystal technique both in melody and aggression. Caruso brothers followed the artistical production themselves. They recorded and mixed the album proving to be one of the finest musicians from Italy.'Apocalypse' got enthusiastic feedback also in Japan where the top-metal label AVALON/MARQUEE released the album with a bonus track titled 'Epilogue'. With this album ARACHNES got the best results in reviews and sales and after the release, for the first time writers of various mags started to compare other minor bands to ARACHNES in style and sound. That means that ARACHNES got a definite trade-mark in their sound!

But now it's time for the 4th album 'PRIMARY FEAR'!
The result is what a label should ask to a band playing mature melodic power-speed metal with symphonic and progressive influence! 'Primary Fear' is the best ARACHNES album, with an incredible feeling and the most intense approach ever. Songs are full of power and aggressive guitars, vocal lines are, as always, superb and extraordinary guitar solos. 'Primary Fear' feature 2 real pearls: 'Tota Pulchra' a song recorded in a church with a real church-organ and composed by the Maestro F.Castelli and a cover song of 'Eruption' taken from the prog-rock mastrpiece 'Tarkus' by E.L.P. Again the Japanse version will feature a bonus track and will be released by Marquee/Avalon.