THE BEAST

L-R - Derek Ho - Cello (live only), Matthew Logan - Drums, Violin II, Ellen Smith - Viola, Michelle Gao - Violin I, Kyle Hagen, Shawn Hillman - Guitar, Cello, Matthew Hannah - Keyboards

Photo Credit Jade Weekes

Vancouver, BC's Opus Arise is an orchestral progressive metal ensemble featuring members of extreme bands Svneatr, Thousand Arrows, and Ysgaroth. Opus Arise unleashed their second full-length "The Network" this past December. It's a concept record that is a cyberpunk tale that brings together classical strings and metal rhythms to create luscious soundscapes to dissonant chaos.

As part of the album's storyline, the band is offering up the next video for the track "Timeshift". Guitarist Shawn Hillman explains the track's place in the story:

"As they continue on, the Protagonist’s mastery of his research is demonstrated in his (Timeshift) progression, which will return him home to his time when he plays it. The song timeshift is also about the search that the Protagonist does for his friend, Character 1. He wants to reveal his discovery and return them both home. Unfortunately, after searching for a while, he realizes Character 1 has been doomed to the network. He has been lost in the reminiscence of his past life and has lost touch with reality. There is nothing that can save him, so the Protagonist uses his progression to return home, which continues into the album's closing track (The Unanswered Question)."

The video for "Timeshift" via its premiere on GhostCultMag HERE .​

Opus Arise's latest album, “The Network”, is a cyberpunk world filled with neon lights backed by progressive metal riffs and classical themes. The eight-track record was produced and mastered by Maor Appelbaum; mixed by Ryan Shepard, with the album artwork done by Daniel Reyes. The nine players on the record bring forth their skills on guitar, cello, bass, drums, violin, keyboards, viola, and contrabass in a sometimes collaborative effort, which is primarily composed and scored by Matthew Logan and Matthew Hannah. The drums were recorded in a mansion back in 2018 where the original rehearsal space was, and the same location was used to film the music videos for the singles “Reminiscence”, “Change” and “Inner Skepticism”.

“The Network” has a modern metal influence and different composers from their first album. It is best described as orchestral neo-classical instrumental progressive metal and is recommended for fans who enjoy Powerglove, Scale The Summit, and Animals As Leaders.

“The Network” is available at Opusarise.bandcamp.com , Spotify .

To watch previous music videos, please the band's YouTube .

Track Listing:​
1) Inner Skepticism – 5:50
2) Electric Jungle – 6:02
3) Antimatter – 3:22
4) Digital Soundscape – 4:38
5) Reminiscence – 5:21
6) Change – 5:23
7) Timeshift – 5:21
8) The Unanswered Question – 5:13
Album Length: 41:13

Album Band Lineup:​
Shawn Hillman Guitar, Cello on “Digital Soundscape”
James Readman: Guitar
Daniel Carmago: Bass Guitar (Tracks 1-3, 5-7)
Matthew Logan: Drums, Violin II
Matthew Hannah: Keyboards
Michelle Gao: Violin I
Ellen Smith: Viola
Darrell Bennett: Cello
Kyle Hagen: Contrabass, Bass Guitar (Track 8)

For more info:​
​ https://www.facebook.com/ opusarise ​
​ https://www.instagram.com/ opusarise ​
​ https://twitter.com/OpusArise ​

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"On its latest album, the Network, Vancouver orchestral rock crew presents a cyberpunk concept driven by cello, viola and violin as much as electric guitar. With members drawn from the ranks of local metal acts Svneatr, Thousand Arrows and Ysgaroth, the eight-track, 40-minute record is another fine release from the globally recognized and appreciated B.C. metal scene." - Vancouver Sun​
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​"An instrumental journey with a lot of charisma... Anyone who likes to think outside the box from time to time and likes instrumental music should definitely give "The Network" a try." - PowerMetal.de

"... this is great progressive music... the album is strongly recommended if you’re open minded and you like your music to sound like a detailed and complex story. Great stuff!" - Metal Rules

"Sometimes there comes a prog metal act with something new or at least different than most others. And Opus Arise surely fits this description! Their songs are instrumental to begin with. But that’s far from all." - Melodic.net

"A magnificent album, original, inventive and of great musicality." - Pierre Davidson - A Progressive Life - CFUZ 92.9 FM - Penticton, BC

"“Inner Scepticism,” shimmers through the linement of time and brings about an intricate braid." - The Median Man

"This new record teleports the listeners to a cyberpunk world filled with neon lights punctuated with progressive riffs. The album has a modern metal influence and different composers from their first album." - Canadian Beats