Renowned for their entrancing amalgamation of darkness and enchanting music, the Belgian Gothic Doom Metal band, HYLDR, takes listeners on an unforgettable adventure with their latest offering, 'Nibelungen'. The band infuses a captivating fusion of sound inspired by both cinematic and operatic works, crafting a realm that their fans cannot resist.
HYLDR, featuring Lady IX (Vocals & Keys), VI and Jean Dark (Guitars), Saïko (Drums), and Wôde (Bass), conjures a treat for fans of Paradise Lost, Moonspell, Ghost, Draconian, Saturnus, and others who appreciate the ominous beauty of Gothic Doom Metal. The band's atmospheric sound comes to the fore in their latest release, 'Nibelungen', where they venture into the depths of their genre to create a truly hypnotic piece.
Their unique fusion of visual and auditory darkness is reflected in the accompanying music video, merging the band's haunting sound with the mesmerising visuals from Fritz Lang's classic film, 'Die Nibelungen'. This creative combination is inspired by Richard Wagner's monumental work, 'Der Ring des Nibelungen'.
Guitarist VI describes the creative process behind 'Nibelungen' as a journey that started with a short composition which evolved into something greater with Lady IX's inspired lyrical additions. He shares, “'Nibelungen' is a very special song. It was shorter when I sent the first version of it to Lady IX, who wrote lyrics about that old Germanic legend. The lyrics inspired me to go further in the composition of the song and I decided to add Wagnerian inspiration to it. The guitar solo is one of the leitmotivs composed by Wagner, ‘the renunciation of love’."
The enchanting voices layered into the song, recorded by Lady IX, astonished Phil Reinhalter at Wavelight Factory, where 'Nibelungen' was meticulously recorded, mixed, and mastered. Phil's contribution is key to the song's final sound, as VI confirms, "I believe that Phil truly understood what the song needed and did a perfect balance between the choirs and lead vocals. The song sounds truly epic!"
In terms of themes, VI stresses the importance of 'Nibelungen' as a cornerstone in HYLDR's larger narrative, "On the lyrical aspect, ‘Nibelungen’ is completely incorporated into ‘Hyldr’s chronicles’. All our songs are connected, distilling a larger story."
The decision to incorporate scenes from Fritz Lang's 'Die Nibelungen' in the music video was a conscious effort to pay homage to the cinematic masterpiece. "At first we were thinking of filming identical scenes in similar settings. But watching the film, I said to myself: let's incorporate Lady IX directly into it!", explains VI.
HYLDR hopes that the fans will connect with this video in a significant way, especially given its relevance in today's world. Lady IX offers her thoughts on this, "I hope that our fans and new ones will be curious enough to perhaps go and find the original film and watch it. Such an old movie in black and white must be daunting to a lot of people, but this sort of cinematographic relic really is worth the effort."
She also offers a playful proposition, "We also would like the fans to crowdfund a remake of the entire film with all Hyldr band members playing the main roles! A worldwide financial success awaits!"
With 'Nibelungen', HYLDR continues to refine their artistic expression, taking their unique sound to new depths and pushing the boundaries of Gothic Doom Metal. Each note, each melody, is an indication of the band's unwavering dedication to their craft.
A testament to the band's evolution, 'Nibelungen' seamlessly fits into HYLDR's discography as a standout offering. As the band continues to grow, VI sees this video as a significant point in their journey, "Musically speaking it was quite a challenge to compose because we didn’t want the song to be hard to listen to. I love the guitar harmonies."
The enchanting fusion of cinematic visuals with hypnotic music marks a significant evolution for the band. This new musical offering is not merely a song, but a venture into a realm of darkness and mystique. It’s a testament to HYLDR's creativity and passion for their craft that they've managed to craft a multi-sensory experience that allows their listeners to be a part of their evocative world.
In the end, 'Nibelungen' does more than just play music to the ears. It tells a story, paints a picture, and invites listeners to join HYLDR on a hauntingly beautiful journey of epic proportions.
So, as the haunting tones of 'Nibelungen' fill your ears, you'll find yourself not just listening to a song, but partaking in an immersive adventure. As the band puts it, this is not just music – it's a journey into a realm of darkness and mystique that fans of HYLDR, and Gothic Doom Metal in general, would be remiss not to embark on. Let the adventure begin. |
