Wulfgar Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?

We have had some changes in the lineup, Robin Karlsson took over the guitar after Jimmie dropped out and Andreas Skarphagen is our new bass player. So we have been working with our new members and getting everybody fit for fight.

2.You also have a new album coming out towards the end of August, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

The new album does not have so much folk metal parts as our earlier work. The new material is more old school death metal but without loosing our own sound. Also the production is much higher quality we think.

3.This is also your first release since 2010, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?

We hade some members drop out in 2011-2012 so the band was put on hold for a while. And then Thommy started a family and had his hands full with that for a while so it just felt natural to take a little break from it all. 

4.Your lyrics cover Viking and Norse Mythology, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

Well the world of mythology is fantastic. So many stories to tell and it's a great source of inspiration.

Also we think the stories works great with our music.

5.On your earlier albums you covered more misanthropic themes, what was the decision behind the lyrical change?

Norse mythology was the only topic we could think of that all the members liked so it felt natural to us. We never wanted to be a political band so our way of staying away from that was to write about mythology and historical events. 

6.The namd 'Wulgar' has been used in 'Beowulf' and also a character in R.A Salvatore's Forgotten Realm' novels, where did you get the inspiration for the name?

Well it's a old norse name mening guarded by wolves and we just thaught it would make a great band name.

7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the album cover?

The artwork is done by our old friend Jan yrlund at darkgrove design. He has done all our records in the past and we really love his work so we just keep getting back to him every time we need nice artwork. 

8.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

We played at firebox metalfest in Finland together with bands like dark tranquillity and impaled nazarene many years ago and I would personally rank that one our biggest gig yet. We have also played a little in germany and of course a lot of gig here in Sweden. 

I would say that we try to bring the feeling and atmosphere of the cold north when we play without using a lot of props or so. It can be done with the right lighting and stuff like that and that what's we prefer.

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of Viking and melodic death metal?

Well that's hard for us to say. But usually we get pretty good response on our music. 

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Well hopefully this covid shit will pass soon so we can start booking some gigs again. It's been far to long since we stood on a stage together.

Also we are thinking about making a new video.

11.What are you listening to nowadays?

Wulfgar of course. ;) 

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?  

Just stay tuned and hopefully we will see you at a live show real soon.

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Ghorot/Loss Of Light/Inverse Records/Transylvanian Records/2021 Full Length Review

 

  Ghorot  are  a  band  from  Boise,  Idaho  that  plays  a  blackened  mixture  of  sludge,  stoner,  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "Loss  Of  Light"  which  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Inverse  and  Transylvanian  Records.

  A  very  dark  yet  distorted  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  more  stoner  and  70's  influenced  proto  style  along  with  the  vocals  are  mostly  angry  sounding  death  metal  growls.

  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  the  heaviness  of  sludge  and  doom  metal.  High  pitched  black  metal  screams  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  good  amount  of  dark  sounding  melodies.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  along  with  one  song  also  introducing  clean  playing  onto  the  album  as  well  as  the  music  also  stickling  to  mostly  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction  and  the  music  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.  

  In  my  opinion  Ghorot  are  a  very  great  sounding  blackened  mixture  of  stoner,  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Charioteer  Of  Fire"  and  "In  Endless  grief".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.facebook.com/ghorot

https://ghorot.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ghorotdoom/

https://youtu.be/JMKmcpO8lqc

https://youtu.be/dTN_S4_z6PQ  

Aeons/Consequences/2021 Full Length Review

 

  Aeons  are  a  band  from  Isle  of  man  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  and  progressive  metal  with  some  touches  of  metalcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2021  album  "Consequences"  which  will  be  released  in  September.

 Spoken  word  parts  and  cinematic  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  musical  direction.  Elements  of  prog  metal  can  also  be  heard  in  the  guitar riffing  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  The  vocals  also  bring  in  a  mixture  of  nu  metal  style  shouts  and  death  metal  growls  while  clear  singing  is  also  utilized  at  times.  When  clean  playing  is  utilized  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  progressive  feeling  along  with  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Synths  are  also  added  on  some  of  the  tracks  along  with  the  screams  also  adding  in  touches  of  black  metal  when  they  are  utilized.  One  of  the  songs  also  introduces  acoustic  guitars  onto  the  recording  and  all  of  the  music  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Aeons  are  a  very  decent  sounding  mixture  of  black, death,  progressive  metal  and  metalcore  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Rubicon"  "Blight"  and  "Evelyn".  7  out  of  10.

https://aeons.online/

https://youtu.be/K7fbTrOa2Mk      

Wulfgar/From The Ashes/Downfall Records/2021 Full Length Review

 

  Wulfgar  are  a  band  from  Sweden  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  Viking,  black  and  death  metal  along  with  a  musical  style  that  they  refer  to  as  'Midgardian  Metal'  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "From  The  Ashes"  which  will  be  released  in  August  by  Downfall  Records.

  Heavy  yet  melodic  riffing  starts  off  the  album  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Vocals  are  mostyl  death  metal  growls  along  with  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  Swedish  style  along  with  the  screams  also  adding  in  elements  of  black  metal  when  they  are  utilized.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  synths  can  also  be  heard  on  some  of  the  tracks.  Most  of  the  music  also  sticks  to  more  of  a  mid  tempo  direction  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  when t he  music  finally  speeds  up.

  Wulgar  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  the  melodic  styles  of  black,  death  and  Viking  metal  and  mix  them  together  to  create  a  very  aggressive  sounding  recording.  The  production  sounds  very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  Vikings  And  Mythology  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Wulfgar  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  Viking,  black  and  death metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "From  The  Ashes'  "Where  Dark  Elves  Dwell"  "With  Gods  in  Your  Hearts"  and  "In  Valhalla".  8  out  of  10.

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Stozhar/Dukhomsvobody, razryvaia okovy/Stygian Crypt Productions/2021 CD Review

 

  Stozhar  are  a  band  from  Russia  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zien  and  plays  folk  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "Dukhomsvobody,  razryvaia okovy"  which  was  released  by  Stygian  Crypt  Productions.

  Epic  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music  at  times.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  clean  female  vocals  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  album  and  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while the  songs  also  mix  in  a  great  amount  of  folk  music  elements.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.

  Black  metal  screams  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  a  small  amount  of  tremolo  picking  also  being  added  into  some  of  the  faster  riffing  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard,  the  closing  track  is  also  an  instrumental.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Russian  and  cover  Slavonic  Paganism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Stozhar  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  folk  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Духом свободы,  разрывая  оковы..."  "Павший  воин"  and  "Холод  осеннего  утра...".  8  out  of  10.

https://vk.com/stojargroup
stozhar-band.ml
stozhar.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/stojarband/

Evoking Winds/Towards Homestead/2021 FUll Length Review

 

  Evoking  Winds  are  a  band  from  Belarus  that  plays  an  atmospheric  form  of  folk  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2021  album  "Towards  Homestead"  which  will  be  released  in  August.

  Folk  instruments  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  are  also  a  very  huge  part  of  the  tracks.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.   Death  metal  growls  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album  along  with  the  music  also  having  its  symphonic  moments  as  well  as  a  couple  of  the  tracks  also  being  instrumentals.  

  Evoking  Winds  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  folk  metal  and  mixes  it  in  with  more  of  an  atmospheric  and  symphonic  style  of  black  metal  as  well  as  adding  in  a  touch  of  death  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Fantasy,  Folklore  and  the  Dark  Tales  of  Eastern  Europe.

  In  my  opinion  Evoking  Winds  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  folk  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Oh  Black  Raven,  Leave  Me  Be"  "There  By  The  Adamant  Sea"  and  "Arrow's  Burial".  8  out  of  10.

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkvrxEe4T1lcXRQmosJUWfw

https://open.spotify.com/album/3dEeDCFhQR4jvzayrYSza9?si=l17acjSCRzalFJzTe5dZ5A&dl_branch=1

https://music.yandex.com/album/16903783

https://evokingwinds.bandcamp.com/album/towards-homestead  

Bornwithhair/When The Witches Fall/Trepanation Recordings/2021 Full Length Review

 

  Bornwithhair  are  a  duo  from  the  United  States  that  plays  a  mixture  of  arthouse  metal  and  blackened  death  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "When  The  Witches  Fall"  which  will  be  released  in  october  by  Trepanation  Recordings.  

  Acoustic  guitars  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  atmospheric  soundscapes  in  the  background  while  sirens  can  also  be  heard  briefly.  All  of  the  drum  beats  are  also  programmed  while  the  vocals  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  black  metal  screams  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  music  also  add  in  a  good  amount  of  80's  era  death  rock.  When  clean  vocals  are  utilized  they  also  give  the  songs  more  of  a  gothic  touch  along  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  also  mixing  in  elements  of  avant  garde  metal  as  well  as  a  couple  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  female  vocals  and  saxophones  can  also  be  heard  and  all  of  the  music  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.

  Bornwithhair  plays  a  musical  style  that t akes  avant  garde  black  metal  and  death  rock  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark,  apocalyptic  and  witchcraft  themes.  

  In  my  opinion  Bornwithhair  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  arthouse  metal  and  blackened  death  rock  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  duo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Separated  At  Death"  "Your  Skull"  and  "Exhumed".  8  out  of  10.

1. bornwithhair.com
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