Winterfylleth: Leading The Vanguard

WINTERFYLLETH are both proponents and practitioners of British black metal: leading the vanguard of this new scene whilst being it’s greatest advocates. They have left their mark with seven studio albums, which explore the characterful history of these isles in an atmospheric black metal style. Alongside WODENSTHRONE, FEN and others, the band have bestowed legitimacy on black metal in the UK, which it was sorely lacking.

We caught up with them as they made their triumphant return to the Sophie Lancaster Stage at Bloodstock Festival. “My view on it is that UK black metal still doesn’t have a strong sense of identity: it hasn’t garnered a very specific sound,” explains guitarist and vocalist Chris Naughton. “That being said, it now has a certain credibility that wasn’t there before. Apart from a few forerunners (VENOM, really) it was all a bit of a sideshow; a bit of a joke. Nowadays there’s the opportunity to be recognised as belonging to something more legitimate, and we can be both pleased and proud about that, I think.”

Like many other modern black metal bands, WINTERFYLLETH are not interested in recreating the theatrics which made the style a caricature of itself. “I’m glad we don’t have to go through all that again,” relishes Chris. “For us, well, it has never been about us as people. When we’re playing, I don’t want people to connect with me as a person. I want their focus to be just on the music we’re playing.”

This year WINTERFYLLETH presented material from 2020’s The Reckoning Dawn, and debuted their new guitarist Russell Dobson, who cut his teeth leading NECRONAUTICAL. “This will be our first show back, with a new guitarist and new album. That’s a lot of firsts for one show,” he beams. “We’ll play five tracks: three from the new album, one setlist staple, and a new old song if you know what I mean: a song we’ve never played live before. Of course, I wanted to do something to mark the occasion.”

Bloodstock has become something of a home for the band, and has given them a stage since the early days. “Five times we’ve played here over the last ten years,” recalls, “and we recorded a live album here back in 2017. Honestly, it feels like we’ve barely been away,” he smiles. “We always have a great time here, and there is always a good crowd for us too.” The band and the festival have each grown alongside each other, which speaks to the enduring vigour of the heavy metal scene in the UK. “It’s a heartland for us to play in. The only slightly annoying thing for us this year is that we’re all big PARADISE LOST fans, and they’re playing Draconian Times in full whilst we’re meant to be setting up!”

The Reckoning Dawn is out now via Candlelight Records. 

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