Waylander (band)
Encyclopedia
Waylander is a Northern Irish
band influential in the realms of Celtic
folk metal
. Formed in 1993, the band blends traditional Irish folk with 1990s heavy metal
.
, in early 1995, mixing Irish folk music with extreme metal. Waylander were soon dubbed folk, Celtic and pagan metal. In 1996, with the addition of a full time tin-whistle player, Waylander released their second demo, Dawning of a New Age
, which soon gained the band a prominent position in the folk metal scene. This was cemented when Waylander signed to Century Media Records
, and in 1998 their debut album was released, entitled Reawakening Pride Once Lost
. A handful of gigs were undertaken to promote this album but label problems and internal strife blunted the potential somewhat. After overcoming some line-up changes, Waylander signed with Blackend Records and released their The Light, the Dark and the Endless Knot
album in early 2001. Again internal strife reared up, culminating in numerous line-up changes for several years. Despite this Waylander managed to perform some notable gigs, including the Bloodstock and Day of Darkness festivals, as well as gigs with Ancient Rites
, Cathedral
, Return to the Sabbat
and Skyforger
. In 2005, joining original members ArdChieftain O’ Hagan, Michael Proctor, and Den Ferran were Saul McMichael and Gareth Murdock on guitars.
Waylander have inked a deal with Listenable Records and Waylander's new third album, entitled Honour Amongst Chaos
, is "more powerful and beautiful than ever, using a vast array of Irish folk instruments and armed with their passion for metal in its truest form," according to a press release. "Blending epic atmospheres and relentless brutality, 'Honour Amongst Chaos' reflects the heart and soul of pagan warriors worldwide Waylander's debut album, Reawakening Pride Once Lost, has been re-released by Midhir Records on CD and vinyl.
In 2009, Gareth Murdock left the band to be the new bassist for Alestorm
.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
band influential in the realms of Celtic
Celtic metal
Celtic metal is a subgenre of folk metal that developed in the 1990s in Ireland. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal music and Celtic music. The early pioneers of the genre were the three Irish bands Cruachan, Primordial and Waylander...
folk metal
Folk metal
Folk metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that developed in Europe during the 1990s. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal with traditional folk music...
. Formed in 1993, the band blends traditional Irish folk with 1990s heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
.
Biography
Formed in 1993, Waylander released their debut demo, Once Upon an EraOnce Upon an Era
Once upon an Era is the first demo by the folk metal band Waylander. It was released in 1994. It is notable for being the only Waylander recording to feature original bassist Jason Barriskill.-Track listing:# Born to the Fight# Once upon an Era...
, in early 1995, mixing Irish folk music with extreme metal. Waylander were soon dubbed folk, Celtic and pagan metal. In 1996, with the addition of a full time tin-whistle player, Waylander released their second demo, Dawning of a New Age
Dawning of a New Age
Dawning of a New Age is the second demo by the folk metal band Waylander, released on cassette in 1996.-Band line-up:*Den Ferran - drums*Ciaran O'Hagan - vocals*Dermot O'Hagan - guitars*Michael Proctor - bass*Clive Culbertson - session keyboards...
, which soon gained the band a prominent position in the folk metal scene. This was cemented when Waylander signed to Century Media Records
Century Media Records
Century Media Records is an Independent record label with offices in the United States, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom.- Background :...
, and in 1998 their debut album was released, entitled Reawakening Pride Once Lost
Reawakening Pride Once Lost
Reawakening Pride Once Lost is the debut album by the folk metal Waylander, released in 1998 by Century Media. The album was re-released in 2006 by the Irish label, Midhir Records...
. A handful of gigs were undertaken to promote this album but label problems and internal strife blunted the potential somewhat. After overcoming some line-up changes, Waylander signed with Blackend Records and released their The Light, the Dark and the Endless Knot
The Light, the Dark and the Endless Knot
The Light, the Dark and the Endless Knot is the second album by the folk metal band Waylander. It was released in 2001.-Track listing:# Balor of the Evil Eye# Anú's Retribution# The light, the Dark and the Endless Knot# To Rule Was Preordained...
album in early 2001. Again internal strife reared up, culminating in numerous line-up changes for several years. Despite this Waylander managed to perform some notable gigs, including the Bloodstock and Day of Darkness festivals, as well as gigs with Ancient Rites
Ancient Rites
Ancient Rites is a Flemish black metal band formed in 1988. Initially, the line- up consisted of guitar players Johan and Phillip, drummer Stefan, and Gunther Theys on bass and vocals. In 1990 the Dark Ritual demo was released in the underground scene, getting worldwide attention just as black...
, Cathedral
Cathedral (band)
Cathedral are a doom metal band from Coventry, England. The group forged a link between early doom metal and a 1990s extreme metal aesthetic, making doom slower and heavier. Their debut album, Forest of Equilibrium, is considered a classic of the genre. They later on changed their doom style,...
, Return to the Sabbat
Sabbat (band)
Sabbat are a thrash metal band from Nottingham, England, currently consisting of Martin Walkyier , Andy Sneap , Simon Jones , Gizz Butt and Simon Negus . Over the years Sabbat have released three studio albums, four demos, two split singles/compilation albums, two singles and a live VHS...
and Skyforger
Skyforger
Skyforger is a heavy metal band from Latvia which was formed in 1995 out of the remains of doom metal band Grindmaster Dead. Most of their songs are about pagan gods and warfare; they also play traditional Latvian folk songs and metal covers. Although Skyforger is known for their folk metal, their...
. In 2005, joining original members ArdChieftain O’ Hagan, Michael Proctor, and Den Ferran were Saul McMichael and Gareth Murdock on guitars.
Waylander have inked a deal with Listenable Records and Waylander's new third album, entitled Honour Amongst Chaos
Honour Amongst Chaos
Honour Amongst Chaos is the third album by the folk metal band Waylander. It was released in 2008 through Listenable Records, and was the band's first album for seven years...
, is "more powerful and beautiful than ever, using a vast array of Irish folk instruments and armed with their passion for metal in its truest form," according to a press release. "Blending epic atmospheres and relentless brutality, 'Honour Amongst Chaos' reflects the heart and soul of pagan warriors worldwide Waylander's debut album, Reawakening Pride Once Lost, has been re-released by Midhir Records on CD and vinyl.
In 2009, Gareth Murdock left the band to be the new bassist for Alestorm
Alestorm
Alestorm is a folk metal band from Perth, Scotland. Their music is characterized by a pirate theme, and as a result have been dubbed a "Pirate metal" band at a popular heavy metal related website....
.
Discography
- Once Upon an EraOnce Upon an EraOnce upon an Era is the first demo by the folk metal band Waylander. It was released in 1994. It is notable for being the only Waylander recording to feature original bassist Jason Barriskill.-Track listing:# Born to the Fight# Once upon an Era...
(1994), Demo - Dawning of a New AgeDawning of a New AgeDawning of a New Age is the second demo by the folk metal band Waylander, released on cassette in 1996.-Band line-up:*Den Ferran - drums*Ciaran O'Hagan - vocals*Dermot O'Hagan - guitars*Michael Proctor - bass*Clive Culbertson - session keyboards...
(1996), Demo - Reawakening Pride Once LostReawakening Pride Once LostReawakening Pride Once Lost is the debut album by the folk metal Waylander, released in 1998 by Century Media. The album was re-released in 2006 by the Irish label, Midhir Records...
(1998), Century Media - The Light, the Dark and the Endless KnotThe Light, the Dark and the Endless KnotThe Light, the Dark and the Endless Knot is the second album by the folk metal band Waylander. It was released in 2001.-Track listing:# Balor of the Evil Eye# Anú's Retribution# The light, the Dark and the Endless Knot# To Rule Was Preordained...
(2001), Blackend Records/PHD - Honour Amongst ChaosHonour Amongst ChaosHonour Amongst Chaos is the third album by the folk metal band Waylander. It was released in 2008 through Listenable Records, and was the band's first album for seven years...
(2008), Listenable Records
Current Line-up
- ArdChieftain O'Hagan - Vocals
- Saul McMichael - Guitars
- Michael Proctor - BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Den Ferran - Drums
- Dave Briggs - Tin whistleTin whistleThe tin whistle, also called the penny whistle, English Flageolet, Scottish penny whistle, Tin Flageolet, Irish whistle and Clarke London Flageolet is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument. It is an end blown fipple flute, putting it in the same category as the recorder, American Indian flute, and...
, MandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
and bodhránBodhránThe bodhrán is an Irish frame drum ranging from 25 to 65 cm in diameter, with most drums measuring 35 to 45 cm . The sides of the drum are 9 to 20 cm deep. A goatskin head is tacked to one side...
Former members
- Jason Barriskill - bass
- Máirtín Mac Cormaic - tin-whistle + bodhrán
- Redser O'Hagan - guitars
- Owen Bowden - guitars
- Nick Shannon - drums
- Kevin Canavan - guitars
- Fearghal Duffy - guitars
- Gareth Murdock - guitars
- Hugh O'Neill - guitars