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Showing posts from 2010

Oak Roots

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LOCATION :  Roma, Italy Status :  Split-up Music :  Folk Metal MEMBERS : Luca Grimaldi : vocals, guitars, flutes Andrea Remoli : bass Ludovica Faraoni : keyboard valerio coretti : drums Past members : Manuel Rodriguez : guitar Michele Zampa : guitar Patrizio Tinelli : bass Evita Zaccaria : vocals, keyboard Emile Amann : vocals, fiddle Pier Sante Falconi : drums HISTORY : Manuel Rodriguez and Michele Zampa founded the band in 2009. They split up in autumn 2012... RECORDINGS : The Branch of Fate , demo 2010 Once We Were..., EP 2012 WEBSITES : Facebook Contact :  N/A

In the Halls Of Our Ancient Fathers by CELTACHOR reviewed

So says the title, I reviewed CELTACHOR demo... Let’s start by the artwork that shows you fast the celtic theme from the band but when I look at it from far distance, I find it shame the bandlogo is smaller than others… About the bandlogo still, it reminds me the Cruachan one. Maybe that “celtic” side & “Ireland” helps ? Heh but that “C” …Cruachan is a great band but one more original Celtachor logo would have been better imo.  Ogham feat. on the cd & means ” Tuireann ” & "Cian" (Lugh’s father). There are lyrics in the booklets making that last like a book & a special note on first page explaining what this cd is about: “The demo covers the rise of Lugh […] & sorrow & grief that fell on the sons of Tuireann for the killing of Cian”. […] - Appreciated.

Eskhata

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LOCATION :  Mladenovac, Serbia Status :  Split-up Music :  Folk Metal MEMBERS : Gerald : vocals Jan : drums Micha : bass Morten : guitars Stefan : guitars HISTORY : Djura Stevanovic and Petar Milutinovic founded the band in 2009 even the idea dates back in 2007. The other members joined later. Eskhata split-up in 2013. Main themes were slavic legends, folklore, myths and fantasy. RECORDINGS : One With The Earth, demo 2010 Storm, single 2011 WEBSITES : Reverbnation Youtube Contact :  N/A

Claim The Throne

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LOCATION :  Perth, Western Australia Status :  Active Music :  Folk Metal MEMBERS : Baronaxe (Brendon Capriotti) : vocals, guitar Dysie (Glen Dyson) : guitar, vocals Lord Jim (Jim Parker) : bass, vocals Oscarius (Ashley Large) : drums Jesselina (Jesse Millea) : keyboard, vocals HISTORY : The band founded in 2004. RECORDINGS : Only the Brave Return, album 2009 Aletales, EP 2009 Triumph and Beyond, album 2010 Cabba Sings Claim the Throne, album 2012 Forged in Flame, album 2013 [  details  ] On Desolate Plains, album 2017 [  details  ] Spirit of Fire, EP 2017 Firestorm, single 2021 WEBSITES : Claimthethrone.com Bandcamp Facebook Instagram Twitter Soundcloud Youtube Contact :   info@claimthethrone.com Find more information on Sword Chant : - Band news

Appalachian Winter

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LOCATION :  Schellsburg, Pennsylvania, USA Status :  Active Music :  Changed style MEMBERS : D. George Klyne - voices, composition and arrangement Randy Smith - Guitars, excluding acoustics Mike O'Brien - MIDI choirs HISTORY : Founded in 2006 by  D. George Klyne,  Appalachian Winter started as a one man folk black metal band from the rural mountains of Pennsylvania, USA.  And then, Randy Smith and  Mike O'Brien joined.  Lyrical themes of the band focus on the harshness of Winter. RECORDINGS : Silence Before the Great Mountain Wind, album 2008 Winter Eternal, album 2009 I Become the Frozen Land, album 2010 Appalachian Winter, album 2011 Ghosts of the Mountains, album 2012 Berglieder, split 2013 Ravenforest, EP 2013 The Epochs That Built the Mountains, album 2014 Selected Orchestrations, compilation 2014 Miri It Is, single 2015 From the Cosmos to the Mountains, single 2015 The Lake and the Mountain, maxi single 2016 The Lake and the Mountain: A Memo

Beer Bear

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LOCATION :  Moscow, Russia Status :  Split-up Music :  Folk Metal MEMBERS : Pan Sventoyar Zagloba : bass, vocals, keys Anna (Anathema) Lynx Erilina : fiddle Eugenia Murka Sizova : viola, vocals Ilya Shukin : guitars Leonid Anakharsis Chernicki : drums Past members : Pavel Zhdanovich (ex- Rarog ) : guitars Anna Zagrebaeva : flute Vagabur : lyrics, vocals Alyona : violin Andrey : flute Ratimir : drums HISTORY : The Russian band Beer Bear founded in 2008. It is rather in the mood of Trollfest, Finntroll & other trolls bands. The band split up in 2013 ; and Pan Sventoyar founded Equinox band because he wanted to make a "more serious band", he said. RECORDINGS : Демо, demo 2009 Мёд (Honey), album 2010 Beyond The Invisible Line, album 2012 WEBSITES : Facebook Youtube Contact :  N/A

Häive

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LOCATION :  Imatra, Finland Status :  Active Music :  Folk Metal MEMBERS : Janne Väätäinen ( Auringon Hauta ) : 5-, 7- & 10-stringed kanteles, recorders, flutes, guitars, pianos, drums HISTORY : Häive is a side project by Janne Väätäinen. His influences go from Amorphis, Isengard, Ulver to Hedningarna and Karelian trad. folk music. RECORDINGS : Yössä Vainajien demo 2003 (sold out) Vaiti, demo 2005 (sold out) Epätoivon Vuoksi demo 2005 Wyrd / Häive / Kehrä, split 2007 Mieli Maassa, album 2007 Saimaata ei sanoilla selitä, EP 2010 Lätön, album 2017 [  details  ] WEBSITES : Mikseri.net Facebook Contact :   haive@hotmail.fi Find more information on Sword Chant : - Band news

Niburta

LOCATION :  Budapest, Hungary Status :  Active Music :  Metalcore MEMBERS : János Krieser : guitar Zoltán Galacsik : guitar Balázs Hormai : vocals Milán Leindler : drums, percussions Gábor Zsigmond : bass HISTORY : Niburta founded in 2009. They started as a folk metal band but play metalcore now. RECORDINGS : Eredet, demo 2010 Awakening, single 2011 Scream from the East, album 2012 Reset, EP 2015 [ details ] WEBSITES : Facebook Youtube Contact :   info@niburta.hu Find more information on Sword Chant : - Band news

Auringon Hauta / Solgrav

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LOCATION :  Imatra, Finland Status :  On hold Music :  Folk Metal MEMBERS : Janne Väätäinen ( Häive ) : guitar, kantele, flute, whistle, clean vocals Lari Hammarberg ( Poropetra ) : drums, piano Taneli Kejonen : guitar Niko Kuljuntausta : bass HISTORY : The black pagan metal band Solgrav founded in 2001 but during 2007, the members decide to change the bandname as a new beginning for them. The band name is now Auringon Hauta that means "The grave of the sun", a Finnish/Estonian legend . Lari Hammarberg has given in 2010 the complete history for the bands, for publish on Sword Chant : The beginning, autumn 2001. Founding members Janne Väätäinen and Sakari harju form the band from the ruins of their previous black/death/thrash project and decide to thrive for more serious and better produced music. From various possibilities for name, Solgrav(The tomb of the sun) was chosen. At the time, Swedish/Norwegian equalient sounded better.The band was now in ex

Thrudvangar

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LOCATION :  Köthen, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany Status :  Split-up Music :  Folk Metal MEMBERS : Gunther Braun : bass Torsten Schildhauer : drums Florian Zack : guitar Raschi : guitar Matthias Träbert : vocals Past members : Christian Lausch : guitar Kanne : guitar Andreas : keyboards Sven : bass, vocals Thomas : vocals HISTORY : Thorsten and Christian founded the band in 1998 but the complete line-up was in 2000. Some changes in the members listing since that time. RECORDINGS : Demo 2003 Ahnenthron, album 2004 Walhall, album 2006 Zwischen Asgard und Midgard, album 2007 Durch Blut und Eis, album 2010 Tiwaz, album 2013 Siegvaters Maid, single 2020 Vegvisir, album 2020 WEBSITES : Facebook Reverbnation Contact :   thrudvangar@gmx.de Booking :   snoack@in-fiction.eu

Pimeä Metsä

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LOCATION :  Madrid, Spain Status :  On Hold Music :  Folk Metal MEMBERS : Angel Flores "Enkeli" : vocals, bodhran, jaw's harp David Chas : rhythm guitar, choirs Hugo Pérez : lead guitar, choirs Juanto Viana : bass guitar, choirs Miguel Morón "Proto" : keyboard, accordion, choirs Pablo Carmona : drums, choirs Past members : Dimitri Nezet : bass Vladimir : bass Antonio Bermejo : bass Ernesto : bass Alex : vocals HISTORY : Pimeä Metsä is Finnish for "dark forest". David Chas, Juanto Viana, and Proto formed the band in December 2006 and things became more serious after Angel Flores joined, but the baznd goes on hold in 2018. RECORDINGS : Beneath the Northern Lights, demo 2010 Legacy of the Heathen North, album 2013 [ details ] No Blood No Glory, album 2016 [  details  ] WEBSITES : Facebook Twitter Soundcloud Youtube Bandcamp Contact :   pimea.metsa.metal@gmail.com Find more information on Sword Chant : - Band news

Dawn of Frost EP by FROSTTIDE reviewed

The cover from this recent FROSTTIDE EP made of 7 tracks doesn’t amaze me much. But it may be a question of taste, I guess. Lyrics are in the booklet, good thing, and that kind of “effect” from letters about lyrics is nice. 1/ Dawn This is a soft & majestic instrumental track introducing the CD where the keyboard & guitars are the main instruments. It goes a little the same way as Ensiferum’s tracks 1 for each of their respective albums. Let’s hope they won’t act same as Ensiferum about cd-intros because this way is Ensiferum one already. Moreover, this Frosttide introduction is very well composed!

Viter

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LOCATION :  L'viv, Ukraine Status :  Active Music :  Alternative MEMBERS : Viterzgir : vocals, guitar, bass, traditional instruments Volkovlad : guitar Andriy Hordiychuk : drums Sudymyr : keyboards Past members : Tur : drums HISTORY : Spring 2010 started Viter as a folk metal band but in 2012, the band changes its musical path for alternative-indus style. RECORDINGS : Dzherelo, EP 2010 Diva Ruzha, split 2011 WEBSITES : Viter.org.ua Facebook Youtube Contact :  N/A

Frosttide

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LOCATION :  Jyväskylä, Finland Status :  Active Music :  Melodic Death MEMBERS : Juho Patinen : guitar, vocals Joonas Nislin ( Skiltron ) : drums Felipe Munoz : keyboards, backing vocals Past members : Lise Richardson : keyboards Tuukka Siniluhta : bass Juha Tretjakov : bass, vocals Joni Snoro : vocals, guitar Lauri Myllylä : bass HISTORY : Joni Snoro founded the band in 2009 and at that time, the line-up changed to be complete during the next year. Joni Snoro and Lauri Myllylä are in the band no more, since october 2016. Meanwhile, the little Folk side of the band disappear with time. RECORDINGS : Dawn of Frost, EP 2010  [  review  ] Our Journey, EP 2012 Awakening, album 2013 Blood Oath, album 2015 [ details ] From Dusk to Ascend, single 2017 [  details  ] WEBSITES : Facebook Ttwitter Soundcloud Youtube Contact :   frosttide@hotmail.com Booking :   iiro@nem.fi Find more information on Sword Chant : - Band news

King Of Asgard

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LOCATION :  Mjölby, Sweden Status :  Active Music :  Folk Metal MEMBERS : Karl Beckmann ( Mithotyn ) : guitar, vocals Ted Sjulmark ( Grimner ) : guitar Jonas Albrektsson : bass Mathias Westman : drums Past members : Lars Tängmark : guitar Karsten Larsson ( Mithotyn ) : drums HISTORY : The band founded in 2008. Some line-up changed in 2015. RECORDINGS : Prince of Märings, demo 2009 Fi'mbulvintr, album 2010 ...to North, album 2012 The Runes of Hel, single 2014 Karg, album 2014 [ details ] Taudr, EP 2017 [  details  ] Svartrviðr, album 2021 WEBSITES : Facebook Youtube Reverbnation Instagram Bandcamp Contact :   karl@kingofasgard.com Find more information on Sword Chant : - Band news

Celtachor

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LOCATION :  Dublin, Ireland Status :  Active Music :  Folk Metal MEMBERS : Andy Ennis : vocals David Quinn ( Cruachan ) : guitar Robert MacDomhnail : bass, harp, bouzouki Daniel O'Toole ( Darkest Era ) : guitarq Cameron Glass ( Darkest Era ) : drums Past members : Emile Quigley : bass Oliver Deegan (McGalligog) : bass Stephen Roche (Laochra, Mael Mórdha) : whistles, vocals Fionn Stafford : guitar Anaïs Chareyre : drums HISTORY : Celtachor Is an Irish Mythological Metal band from Ireland, formed In 2007. The band takes its numerous influences from black, doom, and folk metal. RECORDINGS : Signs Of War, demo, 2008 In the Halls Of Our Ancient Fathers, demo 2010 [ review ] Nine Waves from the Shore, album 2012 Nuada of the Silver Arm, album 2015 [  details  ] Fiannaíocht, album 2018 [  details  ] WEBSITES : Bandcamp Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube Contact :   celtachorofficial@hotmail.com Booking :   celtachorbooking@hotmail.com Find more informati

Krampus

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LOCATION :  Udine, Italy Status :  Active Music :  Rock MEMBERS : Filippo Gianotti : lead vocals Marika : violin, vocals Alessandro : guitar Davide Zamparo : bass, choirs Matteo Sisti ( Eluveitie ) : bagpipes, low whistles, transverse flute, Irish bouzouki, choirs Alfredo Macuz : drums HISTORY : The band founded as a folk mettal metal in 2009 and then, they changed their style in 2011. The word "Krampus" is taken by a popular legend of the east part of Alps and is the name of some demons who, in the tradition, were evocated winter solstice to let them give vent to their evil intents during. In this way they wouldn't have disturbed or annoyed village people during the year. They were, and are, rappresented by young people wearing horned and furred demons costumes and using wood sticks to hit (and sometimes hurt) people in villages. But the tradition was involved in a process of christianization and today only a part of this legend is survived. RECORDINGS

Gwenael Kerleo

LOCATION :  Brittany, France Status :  Active Music :  Celtic Folk / Celtic Harp MEMBERS : Gwenael Kerleo : harp, vocals HISTORY : When she was younger, Gwenael Kerleo learnt harp with Hervé Quéfféléant ( TRISKELL ) as teacher. She's inspired by celtic trad, French songs and jazz. She's got several sessions musicans. RECORDINGS : Terre Celte, album 1996 Chemin de Brume, album 2000 Yelen, album 2003 Pevar, album 2009 Retour en Terre Celte, album 2010 Quai n°7, album 2012 Last Prayer, single 2019 WEBSITES : Gwenaelkerleo.com Facebook Youtube Contact :   contact@gwenaelkerleo.com

NORTHERN SWORD demo reviewed

Introduction : This demo is available for free download on their official myspace, and so I’m about to review that demo made of 4 tracks : 1. In the Name of Odin | 2. For Glory and Gold | 3. Draw Yours Swords | 4. Nine Steps of Sorrow  We can choose the quality of the content (mp3 320k, flac, ogg, aac, vbr high or low…) when we are about to download with legacy this material. Now, let’s talk about the songs : 1 – In the Name of Odin This intro of song, reflecting the chorus later, remind Alestorm pretty much. Big beats & strings instruments follow together the rhythmic part from this game, while the keyboard is leading that part.

Skálmöld

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LOCATION :  Reykjavík, Iceland Status :  Active Music :  Folk Metal MEMBERS : Baldur Ragnarsson : guitars Björgvin Sigurðsson : vocals, guitars Gunnar Ben : keyboards Jón Geir Jóhannsson : drums Snæbjörn Ragnarsson : bass Þráinn Árni Baldvinsson : guitars HISTORY : Snæbjörn Ragnarsson and Björgvin Sigurðsson founded the band by august 2009. The band name means "Age of Sword". RECORDINGS : Baldur, album 2010 Börn Loka, album 2012 Skálmöld & Sinfóníuhljómsveit Íslands, live album 2013 [ details ] Með Vættum, album 2014 [ details ] Niðavellir, single 2016 [  details  ] Vögguvísur Yggdrasils, album 2016 [  details  ] Drink / Kvaðning, split 2016 Höndin sem veggina klórar / Blade Reflections, split 2017 Sorgir, album 2018 10 Year Anniversary - Live in Reykjavík, live album 2020 WEBSITES : Skalmold.is Facebook Soundcloud Youtube Instagram Bandcamp Contact :   skalmold@skalmold.is Booking :   merle@dragon-productions.com Find more inform

FUROR GALLICO debut album reviewed

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I remember that moment when I reviewed the first demo of the band. I had already good views on that band, even I made some suggestions... The songs from the demo are in the album by the way. But now, I gotta review their first album.  The cover art refers to the goddess Cathubodua. All elements are in: the goddess, raven, color used, warriors…  Plus, they have a song about the goddess. Also, its a good idea for their first album when I think to Ste’s definition of the bandname. By the way, the lyrics are in the album. Now, about music : Intro The tune starts with soft drums. Rather a good tempo. Secundo and after 2 seconds are the strings instruments & third is windy one (0.15). Its all acoustic but melodies remind some typical arias… Somewhere, It reminded me Ensiferum for example, but it’s well a composed introduction.  Voices enter after 44 seconds, spending sounds, and stop with the musical sentences at 0.56. Then the musical sentences begin the whole ga

Altan

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LOCATION :  Donegal, Ireland Status :  Active Music :  Celtic Folk MEMBERS : Mairéad Ni Mhaonaigh : fiddle, vocals Ciaran Tourish : fiddle, vocals Mark Kelly : guitar, bouzouki, vocals Ciaran Curran : bouzouki, mandolin Dermot Byrne : accordion Daithi Sproule : guitar, vocals HISTORY : Frankie Kennedy & Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh founded ALTAN in 1985. The name "Altan" comes from Loch Altan in north-western Donegal, where is located the band. Frankie passed away in 1994 due to cancer disease. RECORDINGS : Altan, album 1986 Horse with a heart, album 1989 The red crow, album 1990 Harvest storm, album 1992 Island Angel, album 1993 The first ten years, compilation 1995 Blackwater, album 1996 Runaway Sunday, album 1997 Another sky, album 2000 The Blue Idol, album 2002 Local Ground, album 2005 25th Anniversary Celebration with the RTE Concert Orchestra, live album 2010 The Poison Glen, album 2012 The Widening Gyre, album 2015 [ details ] The Gap Of

Guthrum

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LOCATION :  Hull, UK Status :  Split-up Music :  Folk Metal MEMBERS : Mark Wood : all instruments Live : Phil Wilkinson : lead vocals Mark Wood : rhythm guitar, backing Vocals Richard Hurst : bass guitar, backing Vocals Jonny Hirons : lead guitar, backing Vocals Alexander Pentecost : drums Past members : Richard Hurst : bass Jonny Hirons : guitars Phil Wilkinson : vocals Bruno Almeida : drums HISTORY : Guthrum is a British viking/black metal band formed in 2008. The band's name is based on the Danish viking king Guthrum, who invaded Britain in the 9th century. At first, the band started as the solo project of Mark Wood, later it became a whole band and today, it seems they have split-up since no activity for years and dead bandpages. RECORDINGS : The First Ode To Many, demo 2009 WEBSITES : N/A Contact :  N/A

Virrasztók

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LOCATION :  Pécs, Hungary Status :  Split-up Music :  Folk Metal MEMBERS : Scrofa : vocals, hurdy gurdy Lianna : vocals Tomusin : guitar Szkrobek : bass, programming Tiberius : drums Sophie : violin, backing vocals Past members : Balázs Szende : drums Bálint Mester : drums Péter Kovács : keyboard Gergely Bencsik : violin Zsolt Bánhalmi : drums Dave : dums : vocals Angelina Csilla B. : vocals Heniel : vocals HISTORY : Founded in 2008, Virrasztók means "the vigilants". Their lyrics deal with history, death and remembrance while their music is a mix of dark, gothic, industrial metal with Hungarian folk music as the band concept is based on the folklore of the vigilance. In folk tradition, the vigilance is the watch of the dead at night in case of home catafalque; it lasts till the funeral, usually for one or two nights. Its reason is the respect towards the dead, the remembrance, but it is also an occasion of social gathering. It was a common custom thr

Le corsaire/Le grand coureur song translated to English

Words : Unofficial English translations Traditional/Sailors song : Le corsaire/Le grand coureur  (Corsair/Le grand coureur) Now Saltatio Mortis covered this song so, I tried to translate this sailors song that gets two different titles : "Le corsaire" and "Le grand coureur".

SIG:AR:TYR - Godsaga review

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Like the band promised & said on their official website, Godsaga is about Odin's hanging on Yggdrasil but the artwork refers to Egil Skallagrimsson. More about Egill Skallagrimsson on wiki . You can find lyrics in the booklet but also on their official website. Now, lets talk about the content of the cd.

Eldborg

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LOCATION :  Kiel, Germany Status :  Split-up Music :  Folk Metal MEMBERS : Gerald : vocals Jan : drums Micha : bass Morten : guitars Stefan : guitars HISTORY : The band founded in 2007. Their music consists of folkish melodies with black metal riffs and clean vocals whilst their lyrics are kept in Norwegian language. Later in 2010, the band split-up. RECORDINGS : Ut I Det Fjerne, demo 2009 WEBSITES : N/A Contact :  N/A

Review: Dur Dabla - Demo 2010

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Lets start this review with the cover-art.  I see it & I want to say “congrats” to the designer! The cover-art respects the bandname (harp), the genre & location of the band : “celtic” & the draw is particularly very good! The color itself reflects the metal aspect from the band. I open the jewel cd, and what do I see in my copy ? “to Krissy Dragonhead & Sword Chant”, signed Marc. :) But the font inside like the back cover, I don’t like much because its way too much of these big letters (like the big ones from their respective logo).

Dur Dabla

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LOCATION :  Brest, Brittany, France Status :  Active Music :  Folk Metal MEMBERS : Titan : vocals Marc : guitar, banjo tenor, vocals, bodhran Elli : guitar Victor : bass Guillaume : drums Morwenn : recorder Past members : Bertrand : bass, mandolin, vocals Tangui : whistles, bombard, mountain dulcimer Galaad : diatonic accordion Fanny : vocals Boris : vocals HISTORY : Marc and Boris founded the band during summer 2007. Boris left for personal reasons in 2009 and well, the band had several line-up change. Dur Dabla focuses on Celtic metal. RECORDINGS : Demo 2010 [ review ] Spered ar broiou kozh, EP 2013 Eñvor An Avel, album 2016 [  details  ] WEBSITES : Facebook Twitter Youtube Bandcamp Instagram Contact :   durdabla@gmail.com Find more information on Sword Chant : - Band news - Interview 2013 ,  2016

Alda

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LOCATION :  Eatonville, Washington, USA Status :  Active Music :  Black Pagan MEMBERS : Jace Bruton : guitars Stephanie Knittel : bass Timothy Brown : guitars Michael Korchonnoff : drums, vocals HISTORY : Alda formed in 2007. Their music is connected with nature, the songs are changing from acoustic folk to black metal.  RECORDINGS : Demo 2009 Alda, album 2009 : tahoma :, album 2011 Passage, album 2015 Stonebreaker, single 2021 Drawn Astray, EP 2021 A Distant Fire, album 2021 WEBSITES : Facebook Contact :   aldacascadia@gmail.com Find more information on Sword Chant : - Band news

Sacrimonia / Ealdulf

LOCATION :  Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England Status :  Split-up Music :  Black Metal MEMBERS : Adam Magnox : guitar, bass, vocals Ariale Miller : unknown Past members : As Ealdulf : William Thaeccan : vocals Tom Thaeccan : bass Alex Franks : drums HISTORY : Black pagan metal band EALDULF founded in 2008. They have released two records and changed the band name for SACRIMONIA in 2015 to play black metal. It remains not active again in 2022. RECORDINGS : Hrimcealde Sæ, album 2009 Wolven Sentinals, EP 2014 WEBSITES : Bandcamp Contact :   ealdulf@hotmail.co.uk