Arð releases a lyric video for the second single »Banner Of The Saint« taken from the upcoming debut album »Take Up My Bones«

Mournful doom project Arð releases a lyric video for the second single »Banner Of The Saint« taken from the upcoming debut album, »Take Up My Bones«, out on February 18th, 2022 via Prophecy Productions.

Mastermind Mark Deeks (Winterfylleth) says: “The video for the second hymn of Arð, »Banner Of The Saint« is revealed. »Banner…« was the final track to be written for the album. It may be based musically around a fragile cyclical piano pattern. But as it also features the lowest tuned guitars on the album, when the crushing doom hits you will feel it.
During the middle ages in the kingdom of Northumbria, the symbol of the cross of St Cuthbert was used in the mind of both individuals and armies going into battle as a means of protecting themselves. “Sign held for protection… banner of the saint”
Will you follow?”

Video by Aimed & Framed.

From Prophecy Productions:

Arð are of Northumbria. The band’s name is taken from an Old English word meaning “native land” in the dialect of the Anglian Kingdom of Northumbria. The concept behind the debut album »Take Up My Bones« from this insular doom metal solo project created by composer and musician Mark Deeks revolves around the legendary relics of the famous Northumbrian saint Cuthbert (634–687) and their long journey. Arð built their artistic quest for heritage and identity upon a solid doom foundation. The early medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria that inspired Arð was far larger than the historic English county Northumberland implies. Before the Germanic warriors arrived, at first as a part of the Roman armies and later as conquerors, the Romans had subjugated the local population of Brittonic Votadini, speakers of a Celtic language.

The Roman Empire had left a religious legacy that firmly took root in neighbouring Ireland and soon began to affect the new Germanic rulers of these northern lands as well as ultimately inspiring the tale of »Take Up My Bones«: Christianity. The early medieval coastal monasteries of Whithorn in the west and Lindisfarne to the east bear witness to this transition. It is in Lindisfarne on Holy Island in the time after the devastating Viking attack from across the sea in the year 793 where the story of the remains of St. Cuthbert begins: a 200-year journey that saw the saint’s remains finally reburied in the cathedral of Durham. The legends and mystery of the translation of the saint’s relics such as the refusal of his coffin to be moved or the lack of corruption upon his corpse after decades shape the core of this conceptual musical tale. With crushing glacial-paced doom, monastic sounding chants and choirs, and sorrowful yet epic melodies, Arð have found the perfect musical expression to tell a tale of their homelands.

Photo by Gavin Forster

One of the lasting impacts of the life of Cuthbert was the use of the symbol from his altar cloth by people throughout Northumbria. There was an increasing tendency for people to believe that by displaying the symbol of Cuthbert, they would be protected. A legend tells of the Prior of Durham Abbey having a vision of Cuthbert the night before the Battle of Neville’s Cross in 1346. Cuthbert advised the Prior to take the linen altar cloth and use it as a banner on the battlefield, thereby placing the monks under his protection.

Mark Deeks, who earned his PhD in Philosophy on the topic of “National Identity in Northern and Eastern European Heavy Metal”, is also a member of leading UK black metal stalwarts Winterfylleth and keeps himself busy as a musical director, arranger, piano coach, and conductor as well as a best selling author. On »Take Up My Bones«, Mark is supported by Wolcensmen mastermind Dan Capp on guitars and backing vocals. He is also joined by Atavist drummer Callum Cox, and a spellbinding performance from cellist Jo Quail (My Dying Bride et al.) delivers the coup de grace.

Tracklist:
01. Burden Foretold
02. Take Up My Bones
03. Raise Then The Incorrupt Body
04. Boughs Of Trees
05. Banner Of The Saint
06. Only Three Shall Know

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well