Gwendolyn Snowdon

Gwendolyn Snowdon launched her solo career with release of first album, Three Strand Braid. Three Strand Braid was inspired by artist’s blended heritage of Dutch, English and Irish, and all three languages are interwoven on the album in traditional folk style. Gwendolyn Snowdon, is perhaps best known as lead singer for Celtic Folk band, Finvarra. She is a full time musician, and will continue to perform with Finvarra, but her passion for creating and performing her own music has taken flight.Three Strand Braid was well-received during her 2016 mini-tour, on many festival stages in the Netherlands and Belgium; and she made the long list for Netherlands Fantasy Awards for Best Live Act-2016.

Snowdon began her musical training at age of ten with guitar lessons; vocal lessons soon followed. Inspired by Tori Amos and Kate Bush in her early years, and impassioned by the energy of the fantasy folk festival scene, by the time she was a teenager the artist was performing on stage with the Dutch Lemmings. They say, ‘you can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl’ and this certainly holds true for Gwendolyn who was raised by horse enthusiasts and spent most of her youth in the stables. Her passion for animals and the environment have played an important role in her life and is apparent in her music videos. As an active environmentalist the artist strives to make a difference in the world, both on stage and off.

MEMBERS:

Gwendolyn Snowdon

Gwendolyn Snowdon - Three Strand Braid

Tracklist:

1.The North Star Grassman and the Ravens

2.Te Haarlem in den Houte

3.I wish I was in England

4.Johny Rau

5.Little Duke Arthur's Nurse

6.Lovely on the Water

7.Willow's Song

8.De Harpspeelster

9.Quiet Land of Erin

10.The Next Market Day

11.Komt Vrienden in 't Ronde

12.The Parting Glass

Urze de Lume

Legends and myth, rites and cries

Stories past, living new life in the hands of today. Living the present, that in future will be Past.

Awakening the old. As free as the wind blown by wood and echoed by the vibrating perring fur.

Back to the land, to grass, to heather, to honey, to being.

The wolf howls under the moon

Fear covers the snow, like expanding music.

Coarse yet finished. So claim the artisan’s hands.

Urze de Lume represent a homage to the past. Strongly inspired by the Iberian tradition, their music aims to celebrate the roots which identify a people and bind them to their land.

Their repertoire transmits the surviving soul of an era in which man and nature walked hand in hand, with respect for the land, the occult and its origins.

The main features of Urze de Lume is the use of Iberian ethnic instruments such as bagpipes, war drums, horns, ancient stringed instruments among others. This combination blossoms into a powerful and unique sound that summons the very deep Lusitanian roots.

MEMBERS:

Ricardo Brito

Tiago Matos

Hugo Araújo

Gonçalo do Carmo

Urze de Lume - Discography

As Árvores Estão Secas e Não Têm Folhas (2018)

Vozes na Neblina - Limited Special Edition (2017)

Vozes na Neblina (2017)

Geada Negra - Version 2017 (2017)

Caminhos da Urze - Limited Special Edition (2015)

Caminhos da Urze (2015)

11 (2014)

Ibéria Oculta (2012)

Raiz Ibérica (2014)

Laurelin

Laurelin is a musical project, dedicated to the natural flow of the soul’s sounds and landscapes. Some of those inner worlds might be familiar to the lover of dreams, myths and fairytales. Some might be new terretory, and worth an adventurous journey.

MEMBERS:

Anya Uth (Voc, Drums)

Ulrike Freistedt (Harp)

Ralf Freitag (Hang, Xylophone, Guitar, Flute, Keyboards)

Wegferend

Wegferend is a storyteller, of those who are listened to by the fire. Of those whose melodies evoke ancient times, dreams and legends. The Voyageur draws inspiration from several sources: folk, traditional music, song, not to mention the metal roots that hold the heart of most of its members.

Thus, the four musicians take you to their intimate world, rich and evocative where real and imaginary mingle with fantasy and simplicity.

MEMBERS:

Alexia Cazaméa (chant, flûte à bec, piano)

Manon Cazaméa (guitare, chant)

Laurine Bassé (cajon et autres percussions)

Thomas Boissier (bendir, derbouka, autres percussions, flûtes)

WEB PAGE: http://wegferend.wixsite.com/wegferendgroup

FängörN

Beginning concert activity in 2008, now FängörN takes one of the leading places among the variety of folk metal scene in St. Petersburg. For long time band is a well-deserved leader among Russian folk groups.In the asset of group - 5 years of activity, the two studio albums. Geography of regular gigs is constantly expanding and has long moved beyond his native city.

The first FängörN’s album «Mysterious Land» (2009) was mixed Anssi Kippo, known for his work with Children of Bodom, Impaled Nazarene, Norther, To / Die / For, in the Finnish studio Astia-Studios, and was released on the German label Purity Through Fire. Album immediately received positive feedback from the media and the audience, and the band's sound has caused comparison with the main "vikings" of folk metal Ensiferum. However, after the release of the second, the concept album «Where The Tales Live On» (2012), which was released on the Russian label Sound Age, it became clear that the band already has its own recognizable style and at the same time - a lot of musical ideas that are organically weaved together. So, on the album «Where The Tales Live On» flute, violin and percussion successfully complete the "classic" set of musical instruments, but certainly not lead away from the best traditions of heavy metal.

However, Fangorn is well-known on Russian folk metal scene not only by released albums, but first of all – by qualitive and as a consequence by unforgettable live performances. According to critics (both in Russia and abroad), Fangorn’s music is worthwhile example of European level’s folk metal. The band completely justifies its name - as well as the forest from Tolkien's trilogy (namely band named in his honor), music of Fangorn promises a lot of amazing discoveries.

Melodic and at the same time hard energy of the compositions, the conceptual lyrics - everyone will find under the arches of Fangorn what is meant by the term "real quality folk metal" exactly.

MEMBERS:

Grendel - keyboards/vocals

Pagan - guitar/vocals

Sergey Muravyev - guitars, vocals

Anton Gavrilov - guitars

VK - bass

Alexey Sivovna - drums

Fferyllt  - Discography

Inferno (2016)

Where The Tales Live On (2012)

Mysterious Land (2009)

Fferyllt

The story of the band with mysterious name “Fferyllt” is tracing its roots back to late autumn of 2003, when keyboarder Dmitry Eliseev began to think about creation of a musical project, which's main concept would be his native religion – Western-European Paganism. The path of it lies trough distant North, trough the traditions of Norsemen and Celts. Asatru and Druidism became main burdens in Diarmaid's songs. The first staff had gathered in spring of 2007, when Вю Eliseev together with guitarist Alexey Godlewsky start to work with the material and record first demos.

In May 2007-th female singer Yanina Zelenskaya, bassist Alexander Lebedev, vocalist Rustam Borzov, and guitarist Andrew Awdick had joined the staff.

After some gigs in such staff, the band begins recording of debut album called "Dance of Druids". The spirit of the album became authentic West-European instruments (bagpipe, flute, bodhran), as well as variations of celtic melodies. After signing of contract with the lable "Stygian Crypt Productions" in August, 2008, the band undergoes changes in staff. The bassist Alexander Lebedev, vocalist Rustam Borzov and guitarist Alexey Godlewsky had left the band. Soon after that, drummer Eugeny Martynov, guitarist George Tsedov, and bassist Sergey Gritsay had joined the staff.

On February 9-th, 2009, the band’s members’ most wishful event came true – Fferyllt’s debut album "Dance of Druids" was brought out on Stygian Crypt Prods. At the same time the band releases its first promo-video for the song “Yule”. Soon after the release, drummer E. Martynov and bassist S. Gritsay . A. Awdick and singer Y. Zelenskaya left the band.

In December 2009 two members – Alexander Lebedev and Alexey Godlewsky had returned into the band’s staff, and a new member, who had taken a part in songwriting for the debut album, Alexander “O’Kella” Davtyan, joined the staff again. On December 31-th, the band grants to its listeners an internet-single called “Thurisaz”.

In May 2010 Anastasia Ovcharenko had joined the band as a female singer.

The band gives a series of concerts. Krasnodar broadcaster NTK shoots a short-length documentary about the band. For this documentary Fferyllt had recorded 5 songs from their repertoire in “Studio Live” format.

In Autumn 2010 Anastasia leaves the band because of state of her health. Not long before A. Lebedev and A. Davtyan quited the staff. The bassist’s place was taken by Vladimir Poznyanskiy, and the frontman’s vacant seat – by Alexander Lopatin.

After productive three-months collaboration with the band as a guest musician, bassist Vladimir Poznyansky has joined the band.

MEMBERS:

Dmitriy Eliseev - keyboard;

Alexey Godlewskiy - guitar;

Ekaterina Godlewskaya - vocal;

Pavel Tuniy - bass;

Alexey Pushkin - guitar;

Michael Chikviladze - vocals

Fferyllt  - Discography

Achanterez (2015)

A Celtic Tale - Studio Live at NTK (2013)

Proritsanie (The Prediction) (2012)

Dance of Druids (2012)

Thurisaz EP (2009)

A Celtic Tale (Demo) (2006)

Vedan Kolod

The group Vedan Kolod plays "world music" based on the Siberian culture. The group's repertoire includes folk Russian songs, songs of Siberian immigrants, Old Russian texts, instrumental compositions, throat singing, and author's songs. The basis of creativity is the close interweaving of instrumental and vocal music. The group was formed 10 years ago in Krasnoyarsk.

VEDAN KOLOD has wide experience of concerts in Russia and Europe (Germany, Macedonia, Serbia, Czech Republic, Ukraine, France, Hungary and etc.), took part more than 300 performances in Russia.

VEDAN KOLOD had performance on different places: re-enactor, folk, world music and medieval festivals, bagpipe, hurdy-gurdy, mouth harp festivals, music clubs, music hall, open-air stages, theatre stages, street performances. Group has two programms: medieval music of Russia and pagan folk music of Russia.

VEDAN KOLOD released 5 albums in CD-format (“Tribes” 2005, “The dance of the wood spirits” 2007, “Wolf’s path” 2008, "The curve of the road" 2010 and "The Tale of Igor's Campaign" 2011 and a song with Arkona band - "Zimushka").

With more emphasis on the Middle Ages, VEDAN KOLOD performs music from the 11th to 16th century as well as traditional music, on flutes, Russian hurdy-gurdy, Russian bagpipes, fiddle, percussion and gusli, mouth harp (vargan), Russian hurdy, Slavic bagpipes, flutes of all kinds, various Slavic war drums, percussion instruments, okarina, Scythian horn, sharkuncy and other range of different stringed instruments, - restored and reconstructed by their musical master, Valerii Naryshkin, with modern acoustic arrangement, and Siberian ethnic influences – throat singing.Vedan Kolod sings in ancient Russian language.

MEMBERS:

Tatiana Naryshkina

Valerii Naryshkin

Daryana Antipova

Vedan Kolod - Discography

Fiori della mia vita (2017)

LIVE AT DOM (EP) (2016)

Gorodische (2014)

The Tale of Igor's Campaign (2011)

The curve of the road (2009)

The Wolf's Path (2008)

The dance of the wood spirits (2007)

Plemena / Tribes (2006)

 

Nodfyr

Foundations for :NODFYR: were laid by Joris and Niels in 2011, fueled by a desire to make heathen metal inspired by the folklore, mythology and nature of their native Gelderland. Nodfyr is the name of a pagan Germanic practice of fire making, mentioned in the 8th century Indiculus superstitionum et paganiarum. Nodfyr is one of the oldest (proto-) Dutch words. 

Early versions of songs were recorded with the help of violin player Irma and after Niels went on to pursue other goals in 2014 Jasper and Mark joined in 2015. Due to their involvement in various other music endeavors (Heidevolk, Wederganger, Alvenrad) the two songs for their first release were finished in the summer of 2017. 

MEMBERS:

Joris 

Jasper

Mark

Nodfyr - In een andere Tijd 

1.In een andere tijd 06:43

2.Ode aan de IJssel 07:59

Leidungr

LEIDUNGR is a Nordic Ritual Folk project. The latest album "Nordiska Hymner" is released by Trutzburg Thule 2017. The lyrical concept of "Nordiska Hymner" is a philosophical presentation of ancient myths and spirituality of northern Europe.

Step into the realms of LEIDUNGR once again in a mindset of meditation and embrace the heritage granted to those who possess the necessary traits by ancient forces and currents, made into something sinister through the passage of time.

The debut album, “De Nio Kraftsångerna”, was released by Equilibrium Music 2013

Crafted by weaving ritual elements into traditional folk, LEIDUNGR‘s mesmerizing work is also imbued with an indelible martial aura which reinforces the underlying heroic mood summoned on these recordings. The potent and evocative combination, which spreads across various genres, often re-creating their common formats, allows LEIDUNGR to carve their unique brand of Nordic Ritual Folk – a term which perfectly defines the genuine atmosphere of their long awaited debut album.

Although its inception can arguably be traced back to ARDITI‘s “Statues of Gods” release (10” EP 2009, Equilibrium Music), LEIDUNGR quickly grew into a unique separate entity. Visual assistance was found in Freki Wodenswolf, a talented artist known his unique handcrafted creations, made from natural materials as leather, wood, horn, bone and metal. Perfectly in tune with the project’s inspiration and Nordic roots, Freki has provided much of the artwork that accompanies LEIDUNGR‘s outputs. The band made their debut via the limited edition “Hell Eder Asar” 7″ EP, released on Fronte Nordico in 2011, which quickly started to build anticipation surrounding the release of a full album. “De Nio Kraftsångerna” is the name of the debut album, released in February 2013 via Equilibrium Music on matt varnished Digipak CD with copper printing. 

Second album "Nordiska Hymner" was released 2017 by Trutzburg Thule. The lyrical concept of "Nordiska Hymner" is a philosophical presentation of ancient myths and spirituality of northern Europe.

LEIDUNGR represent the few but strong, those never enslaved by any way of inferior thoughts. 

Through the music created by LEIDUNGR you will be able to come in contact with your own inner ancient Warrior Spirit.

Step into the realms of LEIDUNGR once again in a mindset of meditation and embrace the heritage granted to those who possess the necessary traits by ancient forces and currents, made into something sinister through the passage of time.

MEMBERS:

Henry Möller

Michayah Belfagor

P. Ståhl

Leidungr - Discography

nordiska hymner (2017)

de nio kraftsångerna (2013)

hell eder asar (2010)

The Ceili Family

The Ceili Family is on tour-a-loo since 1996. Played small Pubs and Dive bars as well as well-known Open

Air-Festivals...especially all over Germany! The band crossovers a lot. Irish Folk Festivals, Village Fairs or

other occasions. Meets purist legends like the Dubliners, infamous Shane MacGowan or harlequins like

German artist „Honigdieb“ and loads of great blokes of the Irish Folk (Punk) scene: Mr Irish Bastard,

Celtica, Lady Godiva, Jamie Clarke’s Perfect, Paul McKenna Band, The Porters, Kings and Boozers, The

O’Reillys and the Paddyhats, The Shanes, Across the Border, In search of the rose and many more.

Size does not matter when it come to audiences. The Ceili Family does not care if they’re playing in front of

a festival crowd of 2000 people or merely 50 drunks in a smokey Pub. The band is always playing their

hearts out. Presenting their own songs. And classics like „Whiskey in the jar“ or „Dirty Old Town“ from

time to time as well as trash-talking breaking out in laughter...

The Ceili Family celebrates every concert as if it was the last. Or their first...

And they have royal friends! On Tory Island! There’s not a single tree there... There’s not even a rat... But

there is...a King!! Patsy Dan on duty. Welcoming everyone who comes to Tory Island. And wishing a fond

farewell when Tory Ferry leaves again. And there’s always a session going on. And many a song to be sung

in Tory’s Hotel bar...

Check out The Ceili Family’s latest CD! Nine songs written by themselves. After playing the music of Christy

Moore, the Dubliners and the Pogues on „Don’t eat yellow snow!“. And after having one original Ceili

Family tune on „tooraloo“. „Fall Face First“, a story taken from Shane MacGowan’s autobiography, got a

great reception. The guy drinking 27 Gins and 7 pints of Stout leaving the Pub with applause...and falling

face first on the floor outside the Pub. Reviewers like „Shite’n’Onions“ told the Ceili Family to have more

Ceili songs and less cover versions. No problem. „Pure Ceili“ on „TORY KINGS“.

Tory Kings“ is irish-inspired, contemporary music. No messing around. Handmade Irish Entertainment

Folk’n’Roll with no frills! „You cannot tell a good story, without a pack of lies“, Ronnie Drew once said in

a TV show. The Ceili Family tells many a story. About the mutineers ending up in a bay with no Ladies at

all. About devious Courtesans. Elation and devastation. Songs that make you happy, thoughtful and often

thirsty.

Pogues-Gitarrist Philip Chevron wrote about „Tory Kings“:

„Enjoyed listening to the CD, by the way. Always good to see people doing something of their own with the

basic idea we invented!“

MEMBERS:

Salzer / Akkordeon und Gesang 

Robin / Gitarre und Gesang

Schröder / Gitarre, Mandoline und Gesang

Whiskey Wiese / Bass 

Matthi / Schlagzeug

Erik, der Wikinger / Geige

The Ceili Family - Discography

ministry of silly folk (2016)

tooraloo (2010)

tory kings (2009)

MUTEFISH

MUTEFISH are culturally diverse six piece band from Ireland, Poland, Lithuania, Portugal and Ukraine. They fuse the musical sounds and cultures of Eastern Europe with traditional Irish influences resulting in an engaging melodic compilation of tracks. Each band member brings their distinct musical backgrounds and tastes giving them their unique sound which makes it difficult to label their style or genre.

MEMBERS:

Tomas Pupalaigis

Marka Lovkil 

Peter Karabasoff 

Bo Stelmach 

Phil Staunton 

Pedro Martinho

Mutefish - Discography

360 Hangovers (2014)

On Draught (2010)

Solmund Band

A norse musical project from Norway

MEMBERS:

Alexander Alistair Odinson McAleese. 

Nils Drage.

Martin Pettersen Langebraaten.

Sean Murphy (Session).

Andri M. Sigfusson.

Jakob Ingvar Hallegreen.

Ingvild Anette Strønen Johannesen. 

Marcus Næsset.

Trish Kolsvart.

Jacqueline Stempher.

Romuvos Band

Folk metal music from the baltic area,

romuva means reviving the religious practices and pagan traditions of the 

Lithuanians and baltic poeple before their Christianization.

Velnias the man who stands behind Romuvos was

born in Lithuenia, he expresses his love for ancient days of

knighthood and pagan tales throughout his music.

MEMBERS:

Velnias

Romuvos - Discography

Infront of Destiny (2016)

Romuvan Dainas (2014)

Valravn

With the second album ”Koder på snor” (2009), Valravn took new steps towards an even more personal music, which is true to its Nordic roots but is equally a child of the present and the future.

Edgy, atmospheric and deliciously fearless, Valravn drags the listener on a mental and musical journey over sweeping forests and deep into moody waters. The result is strange and wonderful, intensely outlandish and utterly hypnotic.

On the album as much as live, the charismatic Faroe Islands singer Anna Katrin Egilstrøð is the narrative heart of Valravn - with a rare and very efficient dynamic, she moves from storm to stillness with the natural ease of the sea rising with the tide.

Transforming the traditional into the extraordinary, Valravn finds an edgy drama that is just downright fierce, painting a landscape that is thoroughly modern but with ancient callings.

A stunning, headlong leap into folktronica.

"In summer 2013 we played the final concerts of a long and amazing journey which has been the 8 years of Valravn. We have travelled to 20 countries with our music, playing over 300 shows in clubs, at festivals, in schools, at markets, in theatres, in the streets, in castles, on the mountainside and in the woods…

We have met so many great and inspiring people along the way, from sister bands to our beloved audience, from professional crews to crazy freaks. We are deeply grateful for having had the opportunity to share Valravn with you."

MEMBERS: 

Anna Katrin Egilstrød: vocals, electronics

Juan Pino: davul, hammered dulcimer, percussion

Christopher Juul: keys & electronics

Valravn - Discography

Recoded (remixes and remakes) (2011)

Koder på snor (nominated to 1 Danish Music Awards) (2009)

Valravn (nominated to 3 Danish music awards) (2007)

krunk (EP) (2005)

Odroerir

Odroerir exists since autumn of 1998, when Fix started Odroerir as a project with Fenrir, who wanted to provide him with lyrics... From the beginning, the music was intended to be a calmer and more epic form of “Pagan Metal”, where folklore/medieval melodies should dominate. Unlike other bands in the genre, we intended to perform ingeniously without speed-attacks or double-bass drumming, but with various natural instruments, eclectic vocals and other stylistic devices... The texts should also reveal the multifaceted topic of Germanic and Celtic mythology, the pre- and early history of the heathen Europe and all about the life, the death and the history of our ancestors... .. At the end of 1999 Fix (guitars, vocals) restructured the band to enable live activities... In spring of 2000, the first official 5-track-demo “Iring” was recorded together with Stickel (guitar, vocals), Ivonne (vocals), Ralph (bass-guitar) and Philipp (drums). Shortly after, the first shows were being planned... .. In 2001 Ars Metalli published the first album “Laßt euch sagen aus alten Tagen…” which, to our surprise, was sold out after a short time. The first album was re-released a few years later by ourselves... .. In autumn of 2003, we rushed to the studio once again with new music. Two of those songs, initially intended as promo material, were chosen in 2003 to be released as an illustrative 7inch EP by the young new label Det Germanske Folket... .. In 2005 we signed a new contract and “Einheit Produktionen” published the mammoth piece “Götterlieder”, which is the audio version of the first part of “Edda”. After some line-up changes over the years, Odroerir played a lot of gigs and festivals and started the first European Tour together with Eluveitie (Switzerland) in 2006. In 2007 we went on tour once again, this time together with Tyr (Faroe Islands) and Black Messiah (Germany)... .. In 2008 we started the long writing and recording process of the next album “Götterlieder II” which was interrupted by diverse live shows and another European Tour, this time together with two German Bands Helfahrt and Gernotshagen... .. The recording of our new album “Götterlieder II” was finished in 2010, so that we were able to release it in the same year. It’s the second part of the audio version of the “Edda”, therefore a consistent continuation of our previous album “Götterlieder”. After the release we played a lot of shows and were looking forward to the next European tour. Since autumn 2010 Odroerir has a new bandmember: Karlson has joined our horde to play the guitar, bagpipe, flutes and to complete the vocal arrangements.

In autumn 2011 we started to the „Black Trolls over Europe Tour III“ together with Suidakra, Waylander, our friends of XIV Dark Centuries, Cruadalach and Chain of Dogs.

MEMBERS: 

Fix - guitar, vocals and oll other plugged instruments

Stickel - guitar and vocals

Manuel - bass

Veit - violine, cello and vocals

Natalie - vocals

Philipp - drums and percussion

Karlson - guitar, flutes, bagpipe, vocals

Odroerir - Discography

Das Erbe unserer Ahnen (2017)

Götterlieder II (2010)

Götterlieder (2005)

Odroerir EP (2004)

Lasst euch sagen aus alten Tagen... (2002)

Iring Demo (1999)