Time For Pagans
Waylander Interview
Among the Folk Metal bands working on new material this year is Waylander. The Northern Ireland based folk metallers announced the release of a new album a few months back. I contacted Waylander’s Ard Chieftain O’Hagan to ask about him some questions about the new release and the current state of Folk Metal.
You have been in the studio recording your new album. Could you tell us what we can expect from the album and what it will sound like?
“We are still deep into the recording process so it is difficult to say exactly what the completed album will sound like. We are refining and even changing parts of songs as we go along, it’s a slow and often stressful process but so far it seems to be working well. I can tell you the album title is Eriú’s wheel, it is a concept album, celebrating the turn of the Pagan year, and will contain 8 songs, the 4 fire festivals, the two equinox and the two Solstice.”
Will you be releasing any preview tracks from your album in the following months?
“Yes, I’m sure something will be released as a preview, the plan is to make a video for the chosen song but all that will be worked on when we complete the recording process.”
Trend
A lot of Irish based Metal bands are releasing new albums such as Celtachor and Cruachan, and there have been a lot of smaller folk festivals popping up there in Europe, do you think folk metal is becoming a trend?
“Folk Metal was meant to be a trend some 10 years a go if memory serves me well but the scene seems to be taking another upward surge in terms of new bands and general interest. It’s no bad thing for a band like us so we’re not complaining.”
Eriú’s wheel will be Waylander’s first release since Kindred Spirits back in 2012. For those who wish to follow the band’s progress with the album, the Waylander Facebook page frequently posts news updates and occasional video snippets of their recording process in the studio. Check back here for any news that surfaces about the upcoming album.
By: Jano