The Arbiter is a one-piece European Doom/Death Metal band from Szigetszentmárton, Hungary and is the brainchild of Gergely Kovács. When discussing The Arbiter's genre placement, we should take into consideration a number of forerunner bands which have also successfully incorporated Doom into their arrangements including Adorned Graves, Paramaecium, Pÿlon, Goliath, Place of Skulls, and Black With Stars. What these bands all know is that Doom can add that needed touch to one's arrangements helping them stand apart from other bands and giving them more depth of character within their music.
Kovács addresses how he came to embrace the Doom/Death Metal genre: "It started with Paramaecium, they were the first band I got to know in the genre and I like them to this day. But to be honest, first I did not want the Arbiter to be a Doom/Death band, I wanted it to be a classic Doom band like Candlemass. However, things have evolved in a different way with time."
Kovács had the following to say concerning the meaning behind the band's name: "I was looking for something in Latin as I felt that matches the style. Initially my idea was that the album would deal with the topic of the final judgement so I decided to go with the Arbiter ('the judge') as the name. As I learned later, there have been a couple of other bands using the name but oh well, it is not the first time it has happened in history. As mine is such a niche project, I doubt it will cause any confusion for anyone."
Some additional bands that have influenced Gergely Kovács over the years include Veni Domine, Last Chapter, Schaliach, Morphia, Ekklesiast, Trouble, Confessor, Krux, and Candlemass.
Kovács addresses how he came to embrace the Doom/Death Metal genre: "It started with Paramaecium, they were the first band I got to know in the genre and I like them to this day. But to be honest, first I did not want the Arbiter to be a Doom/Death band, I wanted it to be a classic Doom band like Candlemass. However, things have evolved in a different way with time."
Kovács had the following to say concerning the meaning behind the band's name: "I was looking for something in Latin as I felt that matches the style. Initially my idea was that the album would deal with the topic of the final judgement so I decided to go with the Arbiter ('the judge') as the name. As I learned later, there have been a couple of other bands using the name but oh well, it is not the first time it has happened in history. As mine is such a niche project, I doubt it will cause any confusion for anyone."
Some additional bands that have influenced Gergely Kovács over the years include Veni Domine, Last Chapter, Schaliach, Morphia, Ekklesiast, Trouble, Confessor, Krux, and Candlemass.
In 2019 The Arbiter released their debut full-length album titled 'Water From The River Of Life' on two different record labels. 'Abran Records' was the first label that it was released on with the album including a total of 7-tracks. 'Christian Metal Underground Records' was the second label that it was released on with the album including an additional track called "A Time For Everything" bringing the album's track-list to a total of 8-tracks in all.
On this debut release we find that founder-Gergely Kovács handles both clean & Death vocals along with playing all instruments within the recording. A few years back during the album's conception, Kovács was undecided on which direction to take on this project. Whether that meant finding additional members in order to form a full-band or going at it alone as a solo project. Eventually the latter option came to pass resulting in The Arbiter now existing as a one-piece band.
On this debut release we find that founder-Gergely Kovács handles both clean & Death vocals along with playing all instruments within the recording. A few years back during the album's conception, Kovács was undecided on which direction to take on this project. Whether that meant finding additional members in order to form a full-band or going at it alone as a solo project. Eventually the latter option came to pass resulting in The Arbiter now existing as a one-piece band.
Most of the band's lyrics are taken directly
from the bible as one can see in the following lyric excerpts:
from the bible as one can see in the following lyric excerpts:
"Double Mind"
Wash your hands, you sinners
And purify your hearts
Humble yourselves before the Lord
And he will lift you up
Submit yourselves, then, to God
Come near to God and
He will come near to you
"Inner Man"
May Christ dwell
In your hearts through faith
Let the old man
Be gone forever
God will strengthen you
With power through his Spirit
In your inner man
"Here I Am"
These are the words of Him
Who holds the seven stars in His right hand
And walks among the seven
Golden lampstands
These are the words of Him
Who is the First and the Last
Who died and came to life again
Who has the sharp, double-edged sword
"The Number of a Man"
Then I saw a second beast
Coming out of the earth
It had two horns like a lamb
But it spoke like a dragon
It performed
Great signs
It deceived the people
And also marked them
Wash your hands, you sinners
And purify your hearts
Humble yourselves before the Lord
And he will lift you up
Submit yourselves, then, to God
Come near to God and
He will come near to you
"Inner Man"
May Christ dwell
In your hearts through faith
Let the old man
Be gone forever
God will strengthen you
With power through his Spirit
In your inner man
"Here I Am"
These are the words of Him
Who holds the seven stars in His right hand
And walks among the seven
Golden lampstands
These are the words of Him
Who is the First and the Last
Who died and came to life again
Who has the sharp, double-edged sword
"The Number of a Man"
Then I saw a second beast
Coming out of the earth
It had two horns like a lamb
But it spoke like a dragon
It performed
Great signs
It deceived the people
And also marked them
The Arbiter raises the flag of Doom high, while adding their own flavor into the mix. The Arbiter is not trying to explore new grounds, they have simply re-visited a ground already explored by others and are looking there for undiscovered treasures. If you are looking for some solid Doom/Death Metal to add to your collection then look no further because The Arbiter has delivered up a Metal feast with their debut release.
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Gergely Kovács - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Bass, & Drums
Gergely Kovács - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Bass, & Drums