Elvenking – The Runes and Other Pagan Stories
Interview with Aydan – guitars
1. What was the inspiration behind “Reader of the Runes – Rapture”?
Aydan: “Rapture” is the second chapter of our trilogy “Reader of the runes”. The 3 albums are part of a concept story that follow the mysterious hooded figure called “Reader of the Runes”, since he arrives at the hamlet and from his shelter inside a tree trunk he performs divinations to the villagers. Eight are the characters on whom we focused and eight songs on the “Divination” chapter talk about the visions that the Reader summons to each of them. In this chapter “Rapture” we will see the outcome of those predictions and the effect that each of them has on the eight characters and on their bond.
2. How has your music evolved since your inception in 1997?
A good question. If you listen to our full discography, you can really realise how our sounds changed through the years, to later return to a form closer to our origins from 2014 on. Our debut album “Heathenreel” released in 2001 is one of the first folk-metal albums, assimilating all the lessons from the British masters Skyclad, that have been an immense fount of inspiration since day one for us. Around 2007 we started to change a bit our sound, because we had the impression that our role in the folk metal scene was not recognized enough and we wanted to explore different paths, as mainly a challenge to ourselves as songwriters. The mid-part of our career introduced indeed some experimental albums, where we have evolved more aggressive sounds (The Scythe for example) or much more melodic approaches (Red Silent Tides). From the 2014 album “The Pagan Manifesto” we have decided, as a blood-pact to ourselves, that the name Elvenking should have returned and stayed forever linked to the original concept of the band, with its dark-folk driven sound and themes related to paganism and nature worship, as was originally conceived back in 1997.
3. How would you describe your unique approach to heavy, powerful music?
We like to describe our music as Pagan metal. Press uses to define us as a folk metal band but we prefer out definition because it does not confine us in a certain typology of musical style. For sure, folk music is an important presence in our songwriting since 1997, but we use it to create a more mystical and dark atmosphere compared to typical folk metal bands. We want to have our music mystic and esoteric in some way, still very heavy and totally metal.
4. Can you tell us more about the chemistry of the band and how it contributes to your music?
Well the chemistry is amazing at the moment. Our former drummer Symohn has returned to the fields after some years of absence and we have a new amazing guitarist, Headmatt in the line up. We cannot be happier of the cohesiveness of the band. For sure me and Damna still are the driving force behind the songwriting and the management of the band because we are in this band since the beginning, but now the band is strongest than ever.
5. What was the recording process for “Reader of the Runes – Rapture” like?
It was different from the previous albums and I would say relaxed, which was obviously a plus. We used some of the most professional studios ever for the drum recordings for example and on the other hand lots of our home studios for the other recordings. I can say that we have finally reached a level of high professionalism in our home recordings that allows us to record most of the material on our own. In addition, Damna and me are much more cohesive and professional production team, with all the experience gained through the years and albums we produced together.
6. How does this album differ from your previous work, “Reader of the Runes – Divination”?
I would say it is a natural evolution of the previous album, but in a darker and more obscure environment. Still 4 long years have passed since the release of “Divination” and we wrote this album and the next one during the Pandemic times, when there was no possibility to play anywhere and for a period of time we were all stuck in our homes without even possibility to leave our residencies. We had plenty of time to work on the new songs, with the luxury of no deadlines at all. I would say that “Rapture” is surely a step forward compared to the first chapter, in terms of songwriting, arrangements and production. I have no fear to describe the album as the more defined and mature of our career.
7. What can fans expect from the second part of the “Reader of the Runes” trilogy?
The second part “Rapture” will be released on April 28th while the date for the third part is already set in August 2024.
8. What was it like working with renowned producer Scott Atkins?
It’s been awesome! We were keeping the eyes on Scott Atkins since some years and he was in our top list of the producers we wanted to work with. We are always impressed about his work on Cradle of Filth albums and , even if the styles are different, we can somehow compared our music to Dani’s band in term of complexity of arrangements and crowding of different layers of musical textures to be heard in the mix and the work of Scott makes everything clear and understandable. That is why we felt it was the right time to approach him and collaborate. It was great because he came to Italy, during the Pandemic period, so it was definitely easier to move one person to Italy than travel 6 people in the UK, and he recorded the drums of the albums and set all the sounds for guitar and bass. It was the perfect match and we cannot be happier of the result. He will mix and master the next chapter of the trilogy as well.
9. How did you choose the opening song “Rapture” to also serve as the first single?
It’s been a kind of a different choice compared to our usual standard, both for the single and the opening track. We always used to open our albums with something fast and punchy, mostly double bass driven. This time we opted for something different and opened the album with a groovy mid-tempo, in order to introduce the darker atmospheres of the album. Also using the song, which is the longest of the album, as first single and video is a bit ambitious choice but after 4 years of absence we wanted to present new music in all its epicness.
10. Can you describe the process of writing and arranging the songs on the album?
Most of the Elvenking material is written by Damna and myself since a lot of years. We already have a perfect chemistry between us after so many years of songwriting together. Sometimes we start from a formed idea he is bringing on the table, sometimes I can bring a semi-finished song and we start from there to see what the other think of the material, if it is strong enough or not; from there we begin changing what we feel is not 100% convincing. We keep on working on a song until it satisfies both of us completely. Other times we start from scratch with just not amplified guitars and we start playing around following some inspiration: we do this since many years. It is very important to have just clean guitars with no distortion in order to focus on the important things: melodies and vocal lines.
11. How important is storytelling in your music?
It is fundamental, likewise the music itself I would say. Moreover, this happens since the foundation of the band: we have conceived the band as a combination of music, story-telling and visual aspect from day one.
12. What are your plans for the future after the release of “Reader of the Runes – Rapture”?
To play as much as possible. We have already presented some new songs live, for example at the 70k Tons of Metal and we have a number of European shows already in the pipeline. For next Fall we are working on a European tour and there talks for a US legs as well, but everything is in the negotiations at the moment. We have also to consider that we do not have a major time window between this album and the next one so we need to plan everything carefully.
* Photo copyright by Frater Orion
Information: ELVENKING Official Site
