Arkona (Russian: Аркона) is a Russian pagan metal band. Their lyrics are heavily influenced by Russian folklore and Slavic mythology, and their music incorporates several traditional Russian musical instruments. The name of the band „Arkona” refers to the last pagan Slavic city-castle.

Playlist contains:

Sila Slavnih  –  Сила Славных  –  Glorious Power
Slav’sia Rus  –  Славься Русь  –  Glory to Russia
Liki Bessmertnykh Bogov  –  Лики Бессмертных Богов  –  Faces of Immortal Gods
Yarilo  –  Ярило
Stenka Na Stenku  –  Стенка На Стенку  –  Wall against wall
Duren  –  Дурень  –  Prat
Na Moyey Zemle  –  На Моей Земле  –  On my land
Zimushka  –  Зимушка

Their singer, also historian and songwriter, Maria „Masha Scream” Arkhipova, is one of relatively few successful female vocalists to sing in a death growl style. Maria „Masha Scream” Arkhipova is married to fellow band member Sergei „Lazar” Atrashkevich with whom she has two children.

The band „Arkona” was founded in 2002. The original line-up was with Masha Scream (vocal), Evgenij Knjazev (guitar), Evgenij Borzov (bass), Ilja Bogatyrev (guitar), Alexandr (drums), Olga Loginova (keybords). In the begining of 2003 the band recorded their first demo at CDM-RECORDS studio. In the summer pf 2003 Masha parted with the other musicians.

Her friends from other bands: „Butterfly Temple” (Les’jar) and „Rossomahaar” (Sergej „Lazar”, Ruslan „Kniaz”, Vlad „Artist”) succored Masha and together they recorded the debut album „Vozrozhdenie” („Revival”). This album was recorded in best traditions of Pagan Metal. Six months later the band with the same line-up recorded the second album „Lepta” („Mite”). The third album „Vo Slavu Velikim” („In Honour of the Greats”) is already recorded and was released in September 2005 on label Sound Age. In 2006 Arkona released the live album „Zhizn Vo Slavu” and a DVD with the same name. The DVD is free for download at their official site.

Taken from:
http://arkona.heavymusic.ru
http://en.wikipedia.org