Arcane Roots have made their return after eight years with a bolstered line-up and a fantastical new track.

The band originally disbanded in 2018, bringing a close to a 12-year journey that saw them release three full-length albums and five EPs. But now, they have found their way back and shifted from being a three-piece to a five-piece, with founding member Daryl Atkins joining on drums, as well as Icelandic composer Bjarni Biering.

And their first piece of work as this collective showcases just how much depth they now have in their ranks. ‘A Wave, Across The Sea’ is a near six-minute epic that bides its time. Slowly but surely, unfurling, layer upon layer of fuzz and fury are being added to the pile. The pressure eventually gets too much, though, and an explosion of aggression lays havoc to the eardrums, a chaotic cacophony of light and sound. It leaves you feeling breathless and, most prominently, reaching to start it all up again.

One hell of a statement of intent.

Vocalist/guitarist Andrew Groves had this to say about the song, explaining, “When we disbanded the band in 2018, it was always with the understanding that we could return one day under better circumstances. 

“Founding drummer Daryl Atkins & myself had long been looking for a way to continue creating together, after him needing to leave Arcane Roots in 2015. Our busy work schedules had other plans however and it wasn’t until a chance meeting with Icelandic composer Bjarni Biering, after relocating to Iceland in 2019, that we struck upon the unlikely songwriting partnership that we have today.

“Within a short time, we felt we had something to share and began to set the stage to see if this could become the supergroup we’d all dreamed of. We’re still exploring that to this day, that excitement & challenge commands absolutely everything we do and it feels completely limitless right now.”

The band have also revealed when they will be making their live return, and it’s at a pair of festivals that mean a lot to them. They will be playing two sets at 2000trees Festival, which takes places between July 08 – 11 and then making their way to ArcTanGent, which occurs from August 19 – 22.

Andrew explained why they chose these festivals, stating, “If you were going to ask me where I would want to present such a pivotal event in our lives, 2000 Trees & ATG would be the immediate retort. They have always served as both a source of raucous celebration and loving home-away-from-home for us. We’ve always given our all to make Arcane Roots the very best it could be and now this rebirth feels like we’ve only just scratched the surface. There is nowhere more fitting for us to share our new findings with.”