Rising UK metallers ARKNSAW unleashed their ferocious new single, "Ceasefire," on November 23rd, 2024.
Ironically titled, "Ceasefire" delivers anything but peace. This relentless track hammers your senses with gritty vocals, bone-chilling screams, and instrumentals forged for the battlefield, solidifying ARKNSAW's place as a rising powerhouse in modern metal. (Novacaine Rating 10/10)
The band spoke to us about the creation of 'Ceasefire' and the future of ARKNSAW:
"THE RIFF, THE BIRTH. - What started out as a random 'bedroom riff', almost seven years prior to its restoration from the riff bin, the 'new era' of Arknsaw was born - Spawning the band's first new single 'CEASEFIRE'.
Much to the song's core songwriter and lead guitarist Chris' surprise, the track soon became a hit within the rehearsal room - years after this riff and arrangement idea were binned off by several musicians with whom he'd worked with years prior(Pre-Arknsaw), with all of them claiming that nothing(drums in particular) could work with it or be made to fit. Drummer Chippy would see this claim ousted, and within minutes, had laid down not only drums to the riff, but the core rhythmical foundation for the track - Naturally leading to the tracks instrumental completion with haste after a few hours of tweaking and dissection.
Vocalist Stu James would later add the icing to the cake, with his most hard hitting and blistering vocal performance to that date - and has continued to do so going forward on the remaining tracks for the upcoming new EP 'VINDICTA'.
Recording - The production of this track acted as a turning point for the band, with regards to their methods for recording. All music and vocals were recorded via the band's individual home-studio setups, and upon completion of tracking, were sent across to producer Carl Sheldrick(Hawk Studios), with whom the band are currently working with remotely. This simple yet efficient process, would allow both Carl and the band to work around their own schedules with ease, yet without pressure and worry of travel.
Concept - The song itself is loosely based around the struggle of humanity retaining the ability to reason and negotiate with each other - inspired by modern day conflicts in recent years. A message to imply that lunacy, tyranny and insanity cannot be reasoned nor negotiated with - and the fact that these traits appear to exist on both sides of these conflicts.
Should this continue as the global norm, could it reach a point where, in the eyes of the people, those who are able to step back, see the bigger picture, think for themselves and call for common sense to prevail, will eventually appear to be the ones who are insane? After soon establishing this song to become the single for the new EP, it was soon agreed by all members, that the track needed a further boost... that it was to be their weapon of choice in making the band's first new music video, of the new era.
The music video for 'CEASEFIRE' was filmed across one afternoon with cinematographer and director Jay Hillyer(J H Filmmaker). The dedication and craftsmanship demonstrated by Jay whilst on set simply boosted the band's confidence in the process, and the final outcome. This track has not only acted as a great demonstration of the new line-up's chemistry, hunger and drive for bigger and better, but as a great booster and motivator, towards their desire for more, and to raise the bar higher for themselves going forward.
The new EP 'VINDICTA' by Arknsaw is slated for an early 2025 release!"
Stream Now:
Follow ARKNSAW: https://linktr.ee/Arknsaw