“In Memoriam” by Arcana

Formed in the mid ’90s by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Peter Bjärgö, Arcana established themselves as heirs to Dead Can Dance’s throne thanks to a battery of darkly ethereal neoclassical releases on Cold Meat Industry, Kalinkaland, and Cyclic Law. (Note: Arcana is not to be confused with Arcanta, another neoclassically minded darkwave act from the ’90s.)

Originally released on Cyclic Law in 2012, As Bright as a Thousand Suns is a perfect distillation of Bjärgö et al.’s aesthetic. The album’s 45 minutes are filled with sacral soundscapes, as if you’re listening to an ancient, long-forgotten ritual that’s only performed in the most remote monasteries. Musically, Arcana clearly draws inspiration from medieval European sounds and exotic textures, with Bjärgö’s deep vocals and existential lyrics adding to the enigma.

Nowhere is this clearer than “In Memoriam,” a tribute to Bjärgö’s father-in-law who died in 2010. A choir of voices (including Bjärgö and his wife Cecilia) intone about “the memory of a long life” and “the emotions of profound grief” whilst backed by sweeping synths and solemn dulcimer tones. It’s a haunting song made all the more majestic by its deeply personal sense of sorrow.

Cyclic Law recently announced that they’re reissuing As Bright as a Thousand Suns on CD and vinyl on July 4, 2025.