[ATTENDED: February 25, 2026] Arkona
I saw Arkona (Аркона) open for Korpiklanni back in 2018. I liked everything about them–their look, their sound and their lead singer, band creator, and primary songwriter Masha Scream (Maria Arkhipova). The band were dressed in burlap robes, and they all had long hair. There was a hand drum and skulls and all manner of arcana. I assumed that they were huge (and I think they are in Europe).
So when they announced a show in Clifton, I just had to go–their first time in the States (otherthan NYC) since 2018. It was my first time going to Dingbatz, a (mostly) heavy metal club. The place is really small (200 people) and the show was not sold out (yikes). I felt bad for the band who I know has played festivals with thousands of screaming fans. And here we were, about 75 people. Yikes. I hope they didn’t lose money.
The roadies came out and hung up the Arkona banner (I think at other shows they’ve projected images behind the band, but there was no room for that here). It was pretty funny seeing them hang the banner while standing on chairs–again a whole battle of the bands feel. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 