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
moniker for a pompous Spanish metal band.
The band was formed in 1996 by Jose A. Garrido and Luis M. Hernández.
The line-up, however, is 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.
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"
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