Arcturus was an avant-garde metal band formed in Norway in 1987 under the name Mortem. In 1990, the band changed their name to Arcturus (meaning Bear Guardian), likely after the Behenian fixed star Arcturus.
To date, the band has released four official full-length albums. Arcturus has experimented throughout their career, extracting influences and incorporating elements from all over the musical spectrum including black metal, classical music, but the band is rooted as a metal outfit. On April 16th, 2007, it was announced that the band would be breaking up, and more detailed were revealed in an official statement released on the band's website on April 17th.
The official statement was written by all of the band members, confirming rumours that had been circulating after their Melbourne concert, the last one of the Australian tour, in which Simen "Vortex" Hestnæs, the band's vocalist, introduced the show to the audience with the words "Welcome to the last Arcturus show- ever." The statement went on to say that the split was a 'decision we made some time ago,' and that because of ongoing 'things' in their careers and lives, the members could no longer 'find the time to continue working with this band.' The statement closed with a tribute to the fans of the band, "We are humble and grateful to all the people that have supported and loved us over the years." The final lines being the names of the final lineup of the band that was Arcturus. The official statement dispelled the many rumours and explained the truth.
