Hi this is Jay reporting from Bogota, Colombia…
Today I’m lucky enough to be talking with Matthew from Aedelgard Black Metal band from Krasnodar, Russia
Privet, hope you’re well… thanks for taking the time out of your busy recording schedule to talk to our readers…
- Privet! All is well. I will be glad to communicate with you and answer your questions.
When / why/ where was Aedelgard formed?
- In 2022, I started thinking about creating my own project. I had been saving up ideas and riffs for songs for a long time, and I decided to put them all together.
In the summer of 2024, I finished recording my debut album with Tony Hraefn (vocals and lyrics). We used the name "Aedelgard" for our project. I'm from Krasnodar, and the vocalist is from Arizona in the USA. However, we don't have any barriers in our creative process.
The debut album, Natteglimt, is due in January on CD.. tell us about it and where people can get digital and physical copies…
- Yes, you can get digital copies of "Natteglimt" on our Bandcamp page: https://aedelgard.bandcamp.com. If you want a CD, you can get it from Masters of Kaos (https://mastersofkaos.bandcamp.com). And if you prefer cassettes, they are already available from Regolith Records: https://regolithrecords.ru.
What inspires your music? What are your lyrics about?
- We find nature and a change of scenery very inspiring. The lyrics of our songs touch upon themes of unity with nature, paganism, and mythology.
What bands have influenced you? What music did you listen to growing up?
- The classics, of course. I was most influenced by Burzum, Emperor, Satyricon, and Windir. Also, the lesser-known ones like Evilfeast and Lilith. I think you can find a similar atmosphere to these bands in my music. You can hear it.
What equipment do you use and what is the recording process?
- For the first album I used minimalistic equipment. I recorded the guitars on the line input of a sound card. I mixed everything myself on one computer, but the vocals were recorded by the vocalist, at his home studio. For the second album I plan to use updated and improved equipment.
Do you have new releases planned for 2025?
- Yes, it will be our second full-length album. We're already in the process of creating it, and we've already written half of the songs. The album will be of higher quality, with well-mixed tracks. It will have more folk and emotional elements, and also include more philosophical themes.
What are your plans for the future? Will Aedelgard be playing live ??
- In the near future I want to focus only on music. However, I also have plans for concerts. In the future I hope to give at least a few concerts in Russia. Later, when we have a bigger audience and more material. In any case, I want to make a great atmospheric show.
Tell us about the current scene there in Russia… recommend some bands for our readers to check out
- Russia has a good scene for black metal. Although there are more post-black metal bands here, they are really good.
I especially like bands like Todestriebe, Black Lakes and Grima. The first two bands are a great example of our old-school black metal. Grima inspire me as individuals who broke through among other bands and made it to the world stage (By the way, they recently signed with Napalm Records.).
How has the current political crisis affected the scene and bands in Russia? And what have they done to overcome these obstacles?
- Our bands fewer opportunities to perform in other countries and receive support from fans there. However, we must continue to grow. Even in this situation, it is possible to attract fans from all over the world.
what are your top 5 metal albums of all time and why?
1. Satyricon - “Nemesis Divina”. This is a cool and atmospheric album that has been permeating me for quite some time now. It has its own unique sound and feel that I can't find anywhere else.
2. Emperor - “In The Nightside Eclipse”. This is a beautiful classic, and I don't think many words are needed to describe it. It's a great melodic album.
3. Summoning - “Minas Morgul”. Another epic black metal album that I highly recommend.
4. Ulver - “Bergtatt”. This album immerses you in a cool atmosphere, very “alive” and beautiful. I think it will never be forgotten in this genre.
5. Evilfeast - “Elegies of the Stellar Wind”. This album is not as famous or old as the ones I mentioned above, but I really liked it for its atmosphere and interesting sound. I love works with this kind of sound.
What is your opinion of the current Black Metal, not just in Russia, but globally speaking?
- There's a lot of black metal around the world right now. This is both a good and a bad thing. When I look for good bands to listen to, I often find dozens of bands with similar sound, melodies, and designs. So yes, this genre needs more variety right now!
Do you have any words of wisdom for young musicians looking to follow in your footsteps?
There is one piece of advice that has helped me and musicians I know in my time. Don't write songs “for the sake of need” when you “need” to write something. Write them only when you are inspired. And if you don't have it, the best option is not to listen to almost any music for about a month, to take more walks in nature and to “bore” a little on purpose. And of course, good luck in your endeavors!
Would you like to add anything for our readers?
Don't hold back your creativity. Do whatever you want to do here. Music needs new discoveries. Thanks!
Spasibo Matthew! 666 https://aedelgard.bandcamp.com/album/natteglimt https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563467735192
