I can’t remember if I came to Arcturus via Garm and Ulver or through Ihsahn, who does a gust spot on the the band’s third album The Sham Mirrors.  Listening back I probably came to it from some description of it being progressive and avant-garde, though the truth is now the feels a little antiquated.  Using electronics and try-hop elements that Ulver in particular would put to great use later, The Sham Mirrors nevertheless is a solid album of ambience and cool riff work I wish would be just a little more dynamic so the interesting songwriting would really shine instead of appear (and sound) tinny. Continue reading “Arcturus: The Sham Mirrors (2002)”