Arion - Life Is Not Beautiful

2018 release. Arion are newcomers to the Finnish metal scene. The band - around mastermind and guitarist Iivo Kaipainen - is seen as a legitimate successor to their compatriots Stratovarius or Sonata Arctica. Arion pushes this direction roughly in terms of style, but enriches this sound with fresh ideas, contemporary sound and it's individual touch. The involvement of Amaranthe singer Elize Ryd on the single duet "At The Break Of Dawn" resulted in nearly 3 million Spotify streams to this day and enhanced the young Finns' fanbase significantly. The Arion members (with the exception of singer Lassi Väräänen, who joined the band in 2015) have been active in the same line-up since 2012. After participating in the European Song Contest preliminary round for Finland 2013 (with the track "Lost") all eyes were on the talented band (whose members were under age). A contract with the Finnish label Ranka Kustannus attracted the 2014 Arion debut album "Last Of Us" - with which the young band was able to celebrate success across national borders. Such sophisticated melodic power metal, perfectly produced and presented with finesse and maturity, was not expected from a group of 18- and 19-year-olds.