ARWEN - SPAIN

Memories Of A Dream - 2002 - Arise
Illusions - 2004 - Arise
The Soul's Sentence - 2018 - Rock-CD

Arwen image
  
 
Members
Vocals
Gauntlet, Perfect Smile>>Nacho Ruíz>>Gauntlet, Perfect Smile, Santelmo, Universa, Runa Llena - M. Carmen Castano {María Del Carmen Castaño Asensio] - JOSE A. GARRIDO

Guitar
Jose A. Garrido>>Dark Moor, Arkania - Alberto Avilés - Dark Moor, Arkania>>JOSE A. GARRIDO - Crienium, Hateskor, Silver Fist>>ALEX ESCORZA>>Silver Fist


Bass
Time Symmetry, Santelmo>>Luisma Hernández>>Time Symmetry, Santelmo, Obús, Sacramento - Rancor, Ebony Ark, Westfallenpark>>DANIEL MELIAN>>Westfallenpark

Drum
Monterrey, Gauntlet, Showbiz, Inntrance, Arkania, Adventus>>NACHO ARRIAGA>>Monterrey, Gauntlet, Showbiz, Inntrance, Arkania, Adventus


Keyboard
Rosalva Alonso - Jonathan Zapatero - Biosfear, Ebony Ark, Jorge Salán, Wayland, Mägo De Oz, Bürdel King>>Javier Díez>>Biosfear, Ebony Ark, Jorge Salán, Wayland, Mägo De Oz,, Bürdel King, PATT




History & Biography
In the language of Middle Earth Arwen means noble maiden and is the first name of the queen of the reunited kingdom. Arwen is also the monicker for a pompous Spanish metal band.

The band was formed in 1996 by Jose A. Garrido and Luis M. Hernández. The line-up, however, was only completed in 1999. The band's keyboardist Roberto ended up in Dark Moor with whom Arwen had played live. The band signed with Arise Records in 2001 and recorded its debut in May of 2002.
Illusions was issued at the end of 2004. The band broke up in 2011, but of course returned. Jose Garrido had taken over the vocals in the interim. The reformation was in 2014. The Soul's Sentence was issued at the end of 2018. Arwen (Live) was released independently in 2023. David Muñoz was on keyboards now. The band took part in Metal Legacy Fest in 2024.


Reviews

ARWEN - ILLUSIONS - ARISE
The conundrum occupying one's mind upon listening to the new album by Spain's Arwen is one of identity. More specifically, can a group which has not grasped its own nature, its own temperament, be able to create art that is true... to anything? How could one aim for perfection within one art form when unappreciative of that very same discipline? Arwen, and its label, presumes the band to be heavy metal. The compliant media and dimwit fanboys go along with the idea. So far so good, except for the actual delivery. A cross between fantasy soundtrack (Riding Alone begins by ripping off The NeverEnding Story, for instance) and purely pop arrangement and soft hums, Illusions plainly lives up to its name in relation to the pretense of being connected to metal. Fact is, the hair brushed dudes with the standard issue goatee and necklaces and the two female eye candies with alluring bosoms (not! - how stretched and straight they had to stand for the 'illusion') add up to eight deceivers misconstruing their music. Arwen's Illusions is a soft, poppy and stale album that is constructed by fools at best and charlatans at worst. This review was going to end by noting that this is not metal enough - not even close - but fact is that this is not even otherwise good enough. - Ali "The Metallian"


Interviews







Arwen