Album Review—Quest For The Runestone by David Arkenstone

Mythical Perspective Of Human Quest Retold In Music

Any mission gains purpose when fueled by the Quest underlying it. However, the vigor with which the quest is pursued directly determines the power and momentum behind each mission. Throughout history, humans have pursued multifarious objectives across different domains, spanning from art, literature, and mythology to science and spirituality. David Arkenstone’s QUEST FOR THE RUNESTONE is an inspiring musical work igniting a rare kind of inquisitive search within every listener – whatever your search may be, the album is sure to push you a step forward – closer to your goal. The impact it creates in you is indeed powerful, letting you conclude that music is a positive energy whose power is amplified in the hands of a skilled artist.

About the artist

Grammy-nominated American composer and producer David Arkenstone is an irrefutable giant in New Age music. Predominantly instrumental, his albums are often fantasy-themed, showing a distinct influence from art and literature. You can frequently hear his music on networks like the History Channel, Discovery Channel, and NBC Sports. David’s soundtracks have helped ignite excitement in popular games such as World of Warcraft, Lands of Lore 2 and 3, Earth and Beyond, Emperor: Battle for Dune, and Space Siege. He is featured on 20 Years of Narada Piano.

Discovering the synergy between instrumental music and computer technology, Arkenstone creates most of his music on his Macintosh computer, accompanied by synthesizers, guitars, and many other instruments. Lately, David’s music has been described as a ‘cinematic new age’ as a vast array of his albums blend rock, global, and cinematic elements into his most unique New Age compositions. I am tempted to highlight two of his musical works, ‘In the Wake of the Wind’ and ‘The Celtic Book of Days,’ as illustrious examples of his accomplishments.

Reflecting the influences of several distinguished world music traditions, spanning from Egyptian to Celtic and Native American, Arkenstone’s productions encompass a wide range of styles, from ambient chillout and relaxation music to heavy metal game scores. The credentials and accomplishments of this music stalwart provide a hint of what to expect from his new release, ‘Quest For The Runestone’.

Quest For The Runestone – Album Info

The album is entirely composed, performed, and produced by David Arkenstone and is based on the story of his son Dashiell Han Arkenstone. David Arkenstone has also contributed to his guitar, cittern, sax, flute, whistle, melodica, drums and percussion, handspan, bass, vocals, and keyboards. The other instruments you hear in these songs are Luanne Homzy’s violin and Hardanger fiddle; Eric Rigler’s Uilleann pipes; Kimberly Zaleski’s flute, piccolo, and bass flute; Carlyn Kessler’s cello; Sergio González Prats’ hurdy-gurdy, and Dov’s violin, viola. The most enchanting vocals you hear in these tracks are those of Clara Sorace and Giulia Colantonio (From Ethera Gold Atlantis).

The experience you discover in the album is almost magical – the one you will encounter while entering an ethereal space. So, be prepared for an unusual otherworldly treat that features inexplicable tastes you might hardly anticipate. A spurt of thrill, suspense, and surprise carries you forward as you journey through the tracks. I advise you to give yourself completely to the flow of the music that will take you to enchanting realms that can initiate a deep work within you. The setting I would recommend is a warm, dark, and undisturbed environment that facilitates a complete immersion into what the album has to give you.

Quest For The Runestone – Listening Through The Tracks

All in all, there are 12 songs in the album and each of them has its own unique charm, mood, tempo, and purpose. The mythical element comes to the surface in each of the songs, of course in different flavors suitable to the theme and focus.

The opening track “Prophecy” sets the stage to engage the audience with the epic journey in which the artist creates a haunting ambiance, ably intensified by the vocals. Soon after, the mystical allure of “The Soothsayer Speaks” takes center stage drowning you in the artist’s enchanting narrative. Arkenstone stirs the ancient forces to life in the third track “Ancient Magic Awakens” where the dominating mood is that of wonder and awe.

The ethereal atmosphere you pass through in “Réann” relates to otherworldly experiences and this track is a startling instance to admire the prowess of Arkenstone as a composer. The atmosphere turns almost hypnotic with the next track “Eyes Of Skata” where you get to envision some distant horizons. The sixth song “Oceans Of Ice” lets you perceive vastness and grandeur by painting pictures of frozen landscapes mildly lit by the shine of the stars from above.

“Path Of The Mountain’s Bones” is one of my favorites in the album as the sights of rugged terrains and ancient ruins inspired by this song have always fascinated me. The tunes of the eighth track “Stars Without Light” mimic the infinite expanse of the night sky, enjoining you to venerate celestial beauty.

“The Arbos Stirs” throbs with the awakened energy of the ancient spirits and forgotten powers, while the theme of “Inscriptions” revolves around the ancient runes and symbols, hinting at the wisdom of ages past.

The title track is one another skillfully crafted piece of music in the album. “Secrets Of The Runestone” builds on the secrets surrounding the Runestone, inspiring a sense of astonishment. The grand musical journey comes to a conclusion in the twelfth track “The Keeper Of The Flame” dominated by the soaring crescendos.

Take Away

The album provides a brief escape from the monotonous existence of the mundane life. As the final notes of the album fade away, you are still encapsulated in the realms of myth and magic and remain spellbound until you divert your mind to a newer idea or task. I found Quest For The Runestone a marvelous composition, which is sure to leave a lasting impression of wonder and amazement in every listener. While the repertoire of mystic themes in music has always been a destination of retreat for music lovers, the kind of experience Arkenstone is able to create for his fans in this album is a sheer proof of his mastery of this domain in New Age music.