Quest for the Runestone
Reviewed By Janet Mawdesley June 15, 2024
Artist – David Arkenstone
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https://davidarkenstone.bandcamp.com/album/quest-for-the-runestone
Quest for the Runestone to be released on 1 July, is both a powerful and yet delicate journey into the world of Nordic or Celtic folkloric, where giants slumber and powerful magic is created to overcome adversity.
When David Arkenstone releases a new body of work, it is much anticipated, as he well known for his wide, wonderful, deeply enchanting music frequently combining his love of traditional Celtic and Nordic music, with a cinematic flair of magic.
Based on a story written by his son Dashiell Han Arkenstone where a young woman, a warrior, on the death of her mentor, is told she must undertake a journey to help the mysterious ‘Brotherhood’. Reann must find the Stone, the Runes, to be able to allow The Great Arbos to remain slumbering under his blanket, deep within the mountains
Commencing with a powerful piece The Prophecy, the mountains are trembling the power of magic is coming into being as Reann begins her journey into the unknown. As each of the tracks unfolds the story comes to vibrant life as she faces her challenges, learns who to trust and slowly begins to realise what she has been request to do by Grisha and the mysterious Brotherhood.
The delicate and immensely beautiful Reann features the haunting tones of the Uilleann pipes played by Eric Rigler, which when carefully absorbed, creates the very heart and soul of the young warrior woman, tough and yet robust, challenged and yet determined. An unforgettable song.
Each song is within itself a story, a singular piece and yet part of a whole, connected with a strong thread, Oceans of Ice demonstrating this beautifully in a slow, gentle and deeply resonant flow of sound.
Track listings tell the story in words, the unfolding melodies enchant, captivate and entice, hauntingly clear vocals add an element of otherworldliness to several of the songs, then with joyful celebration in the Secrets of the Runestone when Reann discovers how it tells the secrets.
Keeper of the Flame draws an epic journey to a soft, gentle conclusion with an eloquent song of acceptance and understanding that she, Reann of Dowe, is now the eternal Keeper of the Flame.
David Arkenstone is a multi-GRAMMY Award nominated composer. Since his first release in 1987 he has become one of the most engaging and prolific instrumentalists of our time. His music has become the soundtrack to millions of listener’ lives across the globe.
Quest for the Runestone comes packed in a gift box which includes the booklet of the story as well as a number of lovely keepsake items.