Winterfylleth: Mastering A Journey

Upon thinking about extreme metal bands in the UK that consistently stay relevant, WINTERFYLLETH should be on the top of every black metal list. Now nine albums in, the band clearly show that they are more motivated and passionate as ever. Once again proving why they are amongst the elite British black metal bands.

Every time WINTERFYLLETH release a new album, the band likes to keep the subject matter current and relevant. According to vocalist and guitarist Chris Naughton, this has also been the case when recording their newest record, The Unyielding Season. “Our most recent album is about scheming and the aftermath of when crazy ideas are thrown into the world.” It is clear, however, that this view is nothing new for the band. “Our whole idea is that we’ve always tried to have this helicopter view of society, and for us to try and capture moments of time as we make each album to kind of make a sort of commentary of how the world is.” This results in an anger that is clearly felt upon listening to a WINTERFYLLETH release.

This is not only evident on The Unyielding Season, as Naughton mentions how their 2016 release The Dark Hereafter is also about commenting on the status of society and world events. “There’s a commonality within the themes, they’re all kind of social commentary. 2016’s album was about what happens to people after chaos occurs, do we ever think about the knock off effects.” Speaking on why the band chooses to be so vocal about modern day issues, they are adamant that even though they are not a political one, they will want you to have an open mind on the state of our world. “I don’t think I’ve ever been about pushing political agendas per se, other than think about how the state of the world affects you. You have to use the platform you have.” He does not just say, he states, and upon listening to this record, this determination is felt constantly.

This is where the creativity starts to shine through. For WINTERFYLLETH, not only is inspiration found within current day topics that currently affect the planet and civilisation, the band also find inspiration from more bold and obscure ideas, ones which most artists shy away from. Which is once again clearly evident upon listening to this new release. “We’ve used history, nature, folklore and poetry. There’s very interesting ways to express the currents struggles of the world. Relating that old poetry to the modern world, and in some ways the way we approach the album is figuring out why we are here in the first place.” With that being said, for Naughton, this does not mean that they can be called folk black metal. “Even though I wouldn’t say we are a folk black metal band, to me that’s a bit cheesy.” What he does believe though, is that by incorporating more folklorish, European sounding elements, the albums this Mancunian outfit releases flows that much easier. “What we do is we have these moments of like atmospheric acoustic music that sort of bridges the gap with the folk culture and more metal stuff.”

This acoustic music, which clearly inspires the black metal outfit, has inspired generations, and the WINTERFYLLETH finds this fascinating. “They’ve always been something that we’ve put on every album. The roots of them is we’ve talked a lot about ancient language and poetry, and also ancient mythology and folklorish aspects. One of things for the storytelling, especially in the UK and ancient European history is that is the tradition of folk music.” Passionately, he resumes, “people would sit around their community campfires or whatever it is and will just sing songs or do poetry to one another and pass on their knowledge to each other through the songs.” It is this passion which clearly shines through, as a WINTERFYLLETH release is not merely just a black metal release, it is a combination of hard hitting fast-paced songs, with these folky songs that are always a part of their releases.

It is this mix that take the listener on a journey, and for the band, this has always been the goal. “We still kind of focus on the idea that an album is a sacralising thing, and it being written as a journey and songs being written as emotional rollercoasters.” This is a very bold statement as some artists believe that albums should be a collection of songs as opposed to stories or journeys, and for Naughton, this concept of an album should be brought back, and is what the band aims to achieve. “I don’t think we should stop trying to strive for albums that are this old piece of art, and I think that metal people are still into the idea of the aesthetic and the journey of that. So, I don’t think we’ll stop doing that or stop striving to achieve that.”

If albums are journeys, each individual song is a chapter within that story. That means that picking singles are a colossal deal, and is one that the Manchester based band take very seriously. “You want to pick the songs that will best represent the album, and the spirit you want people to grasp from it.” Naughton continues, “you can’t put one of the ten minute tracks out, so you would probably pick one of the six and a half to seven minute long tracks as opposed to the 11 minute long ones. You want people to pay attention.” Paying attention is how people will be drawn to listen to music and this is equally important in a live setting. Two songs from The Unyielding Season already get mentioned. “You want the audience to engage with the songs but also surprise people with a left turn that’s unexpected with something happening, and Heroes Of A Hundred Fields can do that.” By having something unpredictable, people will evidently be left impressed and will want to stick around for the rest of the performance, regardless of genre. The other track that gets mentioned is The Unyielding Season. “I also think we’re going to play the title track at a few shows as well so I’m hoping the grandeur of that one and the transition from that quiet mid-section to the grand ending so let’s hope that comes to pass in a nice way.”

What the band do not want, is to be inauthentic, and if these songs are to be played live, they are to be played only if the members are satisfied they are capable of playing them by themselves. “Sometimes you just can’t play the songs live as well, it’s not like you haven’t got the ability to play them, but like when I think of some of the songs over the years, some of them have four layers of lead guitar, they’ve got cellos or like a whole string section or like choir and vocals to capture the effect of the songs.” This is a very noble thing to say as clearly this proves how authentic the band is and proves that they are not shy of showcasing their musicality.

This is soon to be seen and felt as the band are about to head out on tour in the UK and Ireland next month in support of The Unyielding Season which as of today is out through Napalm Records.

The Unyielding Season is out now via Napalm Records. View this interview, alongside dozens of other killer bands, in glorious print magazine fashion in DS129 here.

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