| Interview with Lord Defiler BY: Marie RavenSoul |
Marie RavenSoul: Greetings Lord Defiler, how
are you?
are you?
| Hailing from Northern Ontario, Wolven Ancestry is Canadian black metal at its finest. With the release of their first album, ‘The Wrath of Gaia,’ in 2006, this band has shown that it is destined for what is certain to become a worldwide success. Combining both melodic and folk elements in their sound, plus lyrics that speak of nature, mythology and pagan ideology; Wolven Ancestry is a band you will definitely want to check out. |
Lord Defiler: I’m doing great. Thanks for taking
the time to speak with me about Wolven Ancestry.
the time to speak with me about Wolven Ancestry.
Marie RavenSoul: You have an album out
called ‘The Wrath of Gaia.’ Can you tell us about
it?
called ‘The Wrath of Gaia.’ Can you tell us about
it?
Lord Defiler: ‘The Wrath of Gaia’ was entirely
self-produced by founding member Fraust; as all
compositions, arrangements, and production
self-produced by founding member Fraust; as all
compositions, arrangements, and production
were done by him. Upon completion, he sought me out to take care of the vocal/lyrical duties
which were recorded outside during a snowstorm in Northern Ontario, Canada. Soon after the
production was completed, we sought out a live lineup and found some very skilled musicians
to take on the positions needed. We have been going strong since, promoting the album and
working on new materials. Our debut was originally released on CD-R through the band, and
later re-released through my label/booking agency Archaic North Entertainment. We are
currently looking at getting the album into distribution chains, and have been doing a lot of
distro trades with other bands and labels. There has been a lot of interest in the album since
its release, and things have been going quite well for us, so we are really anticipating the
release of the next album which should be completed sometime in 2008.
which were recorded outside during a snowstorm in Northern Ontario, Canada. Soon after the
production was completed, we sought out a live lineup and found some very skilled musicians
to take on the positions needed. We have been going strong since, promoting the album and
working on new materials. Our debut was originally released on CD-R through the band, and
later re-released through my label/booking agency Archaic North Entertainment. We are
currently looking at getting the album into distribution chains, and have been doing a lot of
distro trades with other bands and labels. There has been a lot of interest in the album since
its release, and things have been going quite well for us, so we are really anticipating the
release of the next album which should be completed sometime in 2008.
Marie RavenSoul: How would you describe your sound and what makes you different from
other metal bands?
other metal bands?
Lord Defiler: We feel the ‘Wrath of Gaia’ is a varied piece of art, blending many elements of
music all together as a whole, yet focusing on our black metal roots. The album takes the
listener through several plateaus of emotion and thought, including sorrow, triumph and
hatred. From the opening track to the finishing song, the listener is taken on a journey, or
experience, which we feel makes it a unique album. This was our desired intention.
music all together as a whole, yet focusing on our black metal roots. The album takes the
listener through several plateaus of emotion and thought, including sorrow, triumph and
hatred. From the opening track to the finishing song, the listener is taken on a journey, or
experience, which we feel makes it a unique album. This was our desired intention.
Marie RavenSoul: Tell us about your lyrics. Am I right in saying that they are very earth and
nature based?
nature based?
Lord Defiler: That is correct for the most part, however not in such a blunt way. The lyrics
contained on ‘The Wrath of Gaia’ reflect a lot on who we are as humans in retrospect to the
universe and the earth as a whole. We also pay homage to mythological beliefs in Greek and
Norse cultures; however, we will be focusing more on Canadian mythology on the next album.
The lyrics on our first album are varied, just like the music; but mostly they explain how the
human race is a cancer to the earth and until someone finds who they truly are as an
individual and what their reason is for life on earth, they are nothing but a part of this plague;
wandering and wasting resources- basically worthless. Mankind should experience the
paralyzing human fear of all that is essential to the cyclical nature of earthen prosperity.
contained on ‘The Wrath of Gaia’ reflect a lot on who we are as humans in retrospect to the
universe and the earth as a whole. We also pay homage to mythological beliefs in Greek and
Norse cultures; however, we will be focusing more on Canadian mythology on the next album.
The lyrics on our first album are varied, just like the music; but mostly they explain how the
human race is a cancer to the earth and until someone finds who they truly are as an
individual and what their reason is for life on earth, they are nothing but a part of this plague;
wandering and wasting resources- basically worthless. Mankind should experience the
paralyzing human fear of all that is essential to the cyclical nature of earthen prosperity.
Marie RavenSoul: Was there a particular reason why you chose ‘Wolven Ancestry’ to be the
name of your band?
name of your band?
Lord Defiler: The wolf is a powerful creature and uses instinct to survive. It has survived for
centuries and has learned to adapt to its changing surroundings. The Ancestry of the wolf is of
course similar to a human; however, we are more destructive as we evolve. A wolf is equally
destructive, but only within its habitat and for reasons of survival. Nothing is more pure than
the evolution of nature in its own ecosystem, and the wolf is indeed the most powerful creature
within its surroundings, so we pay homage to its Wolven Ancestry. We feel the name of the
band is strong, as each member has their own definition of what it means to them.
centuries and has learned to adapt to its changing surroundings. The Ancestry of the wolf is of
course similar to a human; however, we are more destructive as we evolve. A wolf is equally
destructive, but only within its habitat and for reasons of survival. Nothing is more pure than
the evolution of nature in its own ecosystem, and the wolf is indeed the most powerful creature
within its surroundings, so we pay homage to its Wolven Ancestry. We feel the name of the
band is strong, as each member has their own definition of what it means to them.
Marie RavenSoul: What has been your experience so far with touring? Where have you
played and where would you like to play that you have not already?
played and where would you like to play that you have not already?
Lord Defiler: Touring has been amazing undoubtedly the best experiences we have had yet.
We have been very successful it seems doing things ourselves, including a northern US/cross
Canada tour as headliners with Nefastus Dies in August of 2007 and more recently a direct
supporting spot with Rotting Christ for a tour of Eastern Canada. For only having one album
out, we feel we are on the right path and will continue to do things DIY until something better
comes along. We have been asked to play in Europe quite a bit which is good, but I don’t think
that we will invade Europe until we have our second album out. Best places we have played so
far include Sudbury, Calgary, Prince George, Vancouver, Upstate NY, Seattle, and Columbus,
although every show we play is a great experience to us.
We have been very successful it seems doing things ourselves, including a northern US/cross
Canada tour as headliners with Nefastus Dies in August of 2007 and more recently a direct
supporting spot with Rotting Christ for a tour of Eastern Canada. For only having one album
out, we feel we are on the right path and will continue to do things DIY until something better
comes along. We have been asked to play in Europe quite a bit which is good, but I don’t think
that we will invade Europe until we have our second album out. Best places we have played so
far include Sudbury, Calgary, Prince George, Vancouver, Upstate NY, Seattle, and Columbus,
although every show we play is a great experience to us.
Marie RavenSoul: As a Canadian myself, also from
Ontario, it is great to see more black metal emerging
from these parts. How would you describe the black
metal scene in Ontario?
Ontario, it is great to see more black metal emerging
from these parts. How would you describe the black
metal scene in Ontario?
Lord Defiler: There is a lot of black metal coming out
of Ontario as of late it seems. It’s good to see that we
have a healthy province when it comes to this type of
music. We have played shows with several great
Ontario Black Metal bands and it seems like there is
new ones starting up all the time, so I’m sure that
things will pick up in the near future. I think that certain
cities in Ontario are known for specific types of metal.
For example, Sudbury, Hamilton and Toronto are
pretty big on black metal; while Cambridge, Barrie and
Peterborough are huge on grind and death metal. It’s
good to see hot spots like this within our province.
of Ontario as of late it seems. It’s good to see that we
have a healthy province when it comes to this type of
music. We have played shows with several great
Ontario Black Metal bands and it seems like there is
new ones starting up all the time, so I’m sure that
things will pick up in the near future. I think that certain
cities in Ontario are known for specific types of metal.
For example, Sudbury, Hamilton and Toronto are
pretty big on black metal; while Cambridge, Barrie and
Peterborough are huge on grind and death metal. It’s
good to see hot spots like this within our province.
Marie RavenSoul: What are some of your hopes for
Wolven Ancestry?
Wolven Ancestry?
Lord Defiler: Our main concern at this time is focusing on our new materials and working on
the next album. We are leaving on tour with Rotting Christ in a couple of weeks, so once that
tour is complete we will be taking a break from shows to work on writing the rest of the songs.
Once that is complete, we will most likely be shopping around for record label support and
touring to promote the album when it’s released.
the next album. We are leaving on tour with Rotting Christ in a couple of weeks, so once that
tour is complete we will be taking a break from shows to work on writing the rest of the songs.
Once that is complete, we will most likely be shopping around for record label support and
touring to promote the album when it’s released.
Marie RavenSoul: Tell us about your own record label, Archaic North Entertainment?
Lord Defiler: Archaic North Entertainment is something I started back in 2002. It was
originally a booking agency which expanded into a record label later on. At this time, the only
release the label offers is Wolven Ancestry's ‘The Wrath of Gaia,’ but will be expanding and
signing more bands in the near future. Archaic North will only release albums from bands of
extreme metal and dark ambience. I also focus a lot in booking shows and tours for bands and
will continue to set up quality tours in Canada and the US.
originally a booking agency which expanded into a record label later on. At this time, the only
release the label offers is Wolven Ancestry's ‘The Wrath of Gaia,’ but will be expanding and
signing more bands in the near future. Archaic North will only release albums from bands of
extreme metal and dark ambience. I also focus a lot in booking shows and tours for bands and
will continue to set up quality tours in Canada and the US.
Marie RavenSoul: What are some of your influences?
Lord Defiler: I can’t really say that I am influenced by anyone; however, I do appreciate many
types of music. I listen to classical music like Basil Poledouris, Chopin, and Tchaikovsky; as
well as more rockish type stuff like Dax Riggs and Munly and the Lee Lewis Harlots. For metal I
am all over the map, but mostly stick with black-folk, death, thrash or grind. Some of my
favourite metal bands include Bathory, Emperor, Hypocrisy, Ghoul, Devourment, Mayhem,
CODC, Watain, Spawn of Possession, Haggard… etc… etc… etc… etc.
types of music. I listen to classical music like Basil Poledouris, Chopin, and Tchaikovsky; as
well as more rockish type stuff like Dax Riggs and Munly and the Lee Lewis Harlots. For metal I
am all over the map, but mostly stick with black-folk, death, thrash or grind. Some of my
favourite metal bands include Bathory, Emperor, Hypocrisy, Ghoul, Devourment, Mayhem,
CODC, Watain, Spawn of Possession, Haggard… etc… etc… etc… etc.
Marie RavenSoul: I know that you must be a very busy person, but what are some of your
interests other than music?
interests other than music?
Lord Defiler: I don’t really have much time to do much other than music, as my daughter
Gaia is my main priority when I’m at home. When I’m not touring or jamming with my bands, I
am often doing tattoos and graphic design work and watching mixed martial arts fights or
playing guitar.
Gaia is my main priority when I’m at home. When I’m not touring or jamming with my bands, I
am often doing tattoos and graphic design work and watching mixed martial arts fights or
playing guitar.
Marie RavenSoul: Any last words?
Lord Defiler: Fear nothing but your thoughts . . .
