THE WOLVES OF AVALON interview online

I interviewed Metatron from THE WOLVES OF AVALON, about the band and their record entitled "Across Corpses Grey" now released.

01. Hi Metatron ! First of all, how came the idea to found the band WOLVES OF AVALON ?

Hails. Having a main focus on Genocide and world religious megalomania emanating from the band, The Meads of Asphodel, and musically, the Meads, being an entity unto itself, I felt the need to channel my interest in British history though another band more driven by a pagan ethos, a more stable musical direction.The name of the band is from an ancient British term that is located in Glastonbury, as Avalon was the place the mythical King Arthur was taken when he was mortally wounded at the battle of Camlan. In a historical context, Avalon was the marshlands of Glastonbury, and Arthur an actual Celtic folk hero who fought against the invading Saxon hordes. The full band name, Wolves of Avalon, embraces the Wolf, as this creature was to be found in Britain many centuries ago.

02. What means that band name to you ?

The, Wolves of Avalon, is a very personal identity of our British culture that precedes the Germanic Saxons who were to become the English. Before the Saxonscan to Britain, there was no England, Wales, or Scotland. It was one forest land of tribes and farming communities. The British spirit was shown though many battles with the Romans and the Saxon hordes.  

03. Is WOLVES OF AVALON also related with Politic ?

There is no political motive from the band, unless you think being proud of the past is a crime? We do not advocate racism or hatred in any way. We do embrace a national pride in who we are and this feeling of tribal unity is lost in today’s, multi-cultural mix of peoples who have no respect for the land they occupy. Religion bleeds into societies and tears apart communities. We believe in the ancient tribal togetherness, the respect for the older ones and the instruction of identity and respect for others. This is not political, it is just holding on to the fading ideals of our forefathers.

This political alignment with NSBM has followed us since out partnership with Rob Darken [Graveland] on our first album. He is just a Polish warrior who understands individuality among nations. Do we mock the patriotism of any land? But we are scorned for having the very same pride in our past. Why have an Olympic games or a football world cup where nations become all of a sudden proud to support their country? If we are looking for a world as one race we must abolish these sporting institutions and strip all nations of individual flags. I think the world is fucking insane…

04. “Across Corpses Grey” is the third record of the band featuring one long track and two covers. …that reminds me the Tulimyrsky record by MOONSORROW for the main so, is MOONSORROW one of your influences ?

I admire many bands that have influenced my thoughts on the Wolves of Avalon.Bands like, FInsterforst, Bathory, Moonsorrow, Graveland, Finntroll, Skyclad,Bal Sagoth, and others. J. Marinos also brings an equal varied influence into the music, as he has a far more wider variety of music that collides in his mind when creating the songs by my side.

05. This new record deals with the past and the ethereal but can you explain us in depth what is it about ?

The main track, Across Corpse Grey’ is about a 1th century battle, as in the Wars of the Roses, of iron clad knights and mail draped laymen hacking each other to pieces. It was a time of cold bloody conflict and flesh hacking mayhem. This age was the height of the armored man of war as the Gun was soon to take over and render this chivalrous time obsolete. I have tried to create a lyrical poem that weaves its way through the music.

06. I think some guests are on this forthcoming record. Can you remind us them ?

We have some great people on this release, Thurios [Drudkh], Hildr Valkyrie, Daemonskald (SIG:AR:TYR), Mantas [Venom], on guitar, Alan Averill [Primordial], Rob Miller [Amebix], Mirai [Sigh], All of whom are great people and we are very honoured to have them make this release so rich with musical atmosphere. We must remember that without, J. Marinos, co founder of the Wolves of Avalon, no music would exist at all. It is from his creative muse that we construct the music and form the soul of this band.

07. How things happened between WOLVES OF AVALON and the special guests ?

We have known Mirai for many years and he has done many geusts of the Meads of Asphodel. With the cover of Venoms ‘Die Hard’, we approached Mantas to do the guitar parts he agreed. Alan [primordial], and Rob [Amebix] also do some vocal sections with me and Mirai. It is a cover song w e are very proud of. Thurios was on the last Wolves album, so it was great to have him do some vocal on this one. I have also known Daemonskald (SIG:AR:TYR),for many years so it was Great to have hm do some guitar on the intro section. Another band i respect is the space rock band ‘Litmus’ and w e managed to get the guitaris, Fiddler, to do a great 4 minute solo near the end of the main track.

08. Why have you included The Voice Of Steel by NOKTURNAL MORTUM and Die Hard

by VENOM on the record instead of ….Turisas or Windir cover for example ?

I am a great admirer of Nokturnal Mortum and, The Voice of Steel, is my favourite track so to cover this was an honour. It was originally for a tribute album, that is now released I believe. I do not like Turisas much, although I think, Windir are a greatly underrated band. In the pagan metal realms i prefer the likes of, Finsterforst, and Moonsorrow, also bands like, Nachtfalke, Graveland.

09. Did the recordings go well ?

It has taken over a year to get this release together and it was a slow process, but we are very pleased with the end result. Both musically and lyrically, both parts have taken a long time to get to the finished product. Everyone on this album is a piece of a vast puzzle, a living organic coming together of individuality, that when all put together a musical vision is born.

10. What do you think about Paganism and religion overall ?

The belief systems us humans adhere to are numerous and plentiful, all rooted to our primitive beginnings as we struggled to understand the environment around us and our own mortality. We looked to the Sun, the Stars for guidance and Gods were born to explain our existence, to comfort us upon Death, to help us in times of danger and to bless us in times of joy. It matters not if it is Christianity, Islam, Paganism or whatever other religious belief you can mention, all pertain to show a light in the darkness of what we as individuals crave. Religion is like racism, we are not born believe in God, we are not born to hate another because the colour of skin, we are indoctrinated from birth in both these things. That is how I look upon religion.

11. What are your next plans for the band ?

We shall see how this album works out, and of copusre we shall create music if people wish to hear it. This band is very impratant to me and J Marinos who is the master song smith. 

Thanks for the interview!