Moscow, Russia-based "Slavic pagan metal" band ARKONA will release its eagerly awaited live DVD, "Noch Velesova" ("Night of Veles"), on May 29 via Napalm Records. The highlight of this release is the band's Moscow performance, where they performed a stunning selection of songs from their voluminous discography. The DVD also includes two video clips, as well as an in-depth interview with frontlady and mastermind Masha "Scream.

A clip from the DVD can be viewed below.

ARKONA recently entered the studio to begin recording its fifth album, titled "Goi, Rode, Goi!" The CD will include 12 tracks with a running time of more than 70 minutes. Musically, the album will pick up where the last two efforts left off, but with the addition of a string orchestra and a live choir. All ethnic instruments will one again be performed by Vladimir Cherepovskiy, a specialist in old instruments and music. The accordion will be played by Alexander "Olen" Oleinikov of the KALEVALA band. According to a press release, "the band plans to widen the list of instruments never being used before. Shaman drums are already ordered from a famous master Dmitriy Ravich, [along with a] line of jaw harps and some other ethnic percussion."

"Goi, Rode, Goi!" will contain a 15-minute song called "Na Moey Zemle" ("In my land"), which is being described as "a kind of pagan metal opera about the travelling of Slav around countries of Europe." Guest vocalists on the CD will include members of SKYFORGER (Latvia), OBTEST (Lithuania), MÅNEGARM (Sweden), MENHIR (Germany) and HEIDEVOLK (Holland). The CD artwork is being by created by Kris Verwimp (THYRFING, MÅNEGARM).

ARKONA's last album, "Ot Serdca K Nebu" ("From the Heart to the Sky"), was released on July 4, 2008 via Napalm.

According to a press release, ARKONA's "leader is the charismatic frontlady Masha Scream, who also writes all the music and lyrics, as well as delivering her fierce vocals. The band plays Slavic pagan metal and embellishes their versatile compositions with the use of folk instrumentation."

ARKONA is:

Masha "Scream" - Vocals
Sergei "Lazar" - Guitar
Ruslan "Kniaz" - Bass
Vlad "Artist" – Drums

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/arkonarussia