Let’s be perfectly transparent up front and state that this reviewer has been a fan for decades with the adventurous Arkenstone musical escapades. So when news broke that David was returning to his full blown musical story concepts more in line with his 1991 In The Wake Of The Wind, this was a thrilling thought. From a clam shell package with a lengthy cd booklet David Arkenstone went all out. But this is not In The Wake Of The Wind so it took several listening to change the expectation. Musically, this is more in line with his Music Inspired By Middle Earth explorations and beyond and once the expectations and ears were reset, it is without reservation that Arkenstone is loudly and proudly back on his musical throne of epic proportions!

Musically, Quest For The Runestone revolves around translating the enclosed 48 page short story book written by his son Dashiell Van Arkenstone. Yes, we still have some of the usual musical suspects, the most obvious musical visitors being Eric Rigler on the Uilleann pipes, Dov on the violin as well as Luanne Homzy also on violin and fiddle surrounding the musical maestro Mr. Arkenstone. But this time around, while moody at times this album is nothing short of a resounding return to the resolute robust version of David Arkenstone. Musically, the landscape explored is more cinematic and moody in its scope but not without an absolutely wondrous melodic structural content.

This soundtrack themed feel of Quest For The Runestone begins with the huge gothic like vocals and pounding percussion on the opening track “Prophecy” only to beat you into submission with the heavy follow up track “The Soothsayer Speaks”. It puts you as the listening on the borderline of sensory overload, thus Arkenstone’s decision to follow up with the more familiar merrier highland jig approach explored on “Ancient Magic Awakens” avoids short circuiting you. Add the dreamy well known Uilleann Pipes of Eric Rigler on “Reann” which makes for a dreamy musical magic merger of these two most memorable musicians which we know is always a treat.

The remaining time of the album Quest For The Runestone continues the juggling juxtaposition for the jugular with contrasting moods with the galloping “Inscriptions” only to bring the album to a slower pace with the more reflective “Secrets Of The Runestone” followed by the even more pastoral strings of the closing track “The Keeper Of The Flame”. The latter track essentially revisits some of the musical themes found in “Reann” but this time with the strings and flute being in the forefront.

Once again, Quest For The Runestone plays that fine balance of a larger-than-life soundtrack but one with context, structure and purpose. It is further evidence of David Arkenstone’s legacy as a musician but also the confounding perplexing question of why this artist is not in high demand at the movies. Perhaps it is because he is way more than just a musician setting the behind the scene mood and tone of a movie soundtrack. Rather, he is a musician that can whisk you away to a montage of adventurous travels from the valleys, mountain tops, exotic lands and freezing icy horizons with the wave of his sensational composer capabilities sending you to worlds that are never one dimensional.