Arcane Path is the second studio album by the Canadian technical death metal

Technical death metal

Technical death metal is a musical subgenre of death metal that focuses on complex rhythms, riffs and song structures. Technical experimentation in death metal began in the late '80s and early '90s by bands such as Death, Atheist and Cynic...

 band Sympathy

Sympathy (band)

Sympathy is a technical death metal band from Canada, formed in 1991. Sympathy got some notable attention in the Benelux, Germany and Switzerland as those are the countries where their previous label Fear Dark is usually marketing its bands. The band is known for its professional musicianship...

, released in 2004 on the Dutch label Fear Dark. This album features guest appearances by Tim Roth and Rob Doherty, both members of the fellow Canadian metal band Into Eternity. The album features an improved production over Invocation

Invocation (Sympathy album)

Invocation is the 2002 debut album by the Canadian technical death metal band Sympathy. The album was published by Fear Dark, a Dutch record label....

. The style is not as technical as on the previous album, but leans more towards blackened death metal style while still keeping the chaotic soundscapes, wall of sound avalanches and virtuoisic lead guitar techniques. Arcane Path is a concept album of a protagonist's inner struggles. The cover art was painted by the Belgian (Flemish) artist Kris Verwimp who has done work for groups such as Marduk

Marduk (band)

Marduk is a black metal band from Norrköping, Sweden. The band formed in 1990 and released their first record in 1991. Their name is derived from the Babylonian god Marduk, patron deity of Babylon.-Musical style:...

. "Realm of Disease" is a re-recorded song from Invocation. "The Red League" features female vocals by "Angel". The album received an enthusiastic reception, and several online magazines recognized Arcane Path as one the metal albums of the year.

Track listing

1. "Introduction" - 1:08
2. "Adept Arcana" - 4:36
3. "The Shining Ones" - 4:08
4. "Lord of all Terrors" - 4:52
5. "In Mine Own Image" - 3:15
6. "Bearing the Plague" - 4:20
7. "Adorned in Apostasy" - 3:52
8. "Love Me and Despair" - 4:05
9. "The Red League" - 3:28
10. "Twilight and Rebirth" - 3:42
11. "Surrounded by the Dead" - 6:07
12. "Realm of Disease" - 4:04

Musicians

• Dharok - guitars, vocals, programming
• Tim Roth - lead guitar
• Rob Doherty - lead guitar
• Angel - female vocals