Interview with Kraban & Yskithyrwynn

Morb Braz had a very good reception in french underground ; but also, more surprisingly, in international underground. As a whole, reviews were vere encouraging ; our main task remains to convince labels, we will see that this summer.

We would say we play celtic/folk metal with traditional instruments (not Pagan, it has no real signification here...). Our aim has always been to blend extreme metal and traditional celtic sounds, from Brttany or Irlande, in the vein of bands such as Cruachan, Waylander, Bran Barr or Aes Dana... obviously, keeping our own identity. Our influences are wide, and you can find in the music of Heol Telwen, beside folk et stricktly black metal parts, thrash, death or even heavy influences.

We have chose Hybreed studios because Ossian (guitars), had recorded there a demo with Blackgod, his brutal black metal band. The quality of the production, the price, the proximity of the studios, and our sound engineer brought us a total satisfaction. The whole thing has been recorded in four days (two for the recording and two more for the mix), nearly without pause. The result is far better than what we expected ; Andrew the sound engineer has done a remarkable work... We hope to work again with him for the album!

Line-up changes were really necessary for the band's evolution. Sincethe coming of Mylgaon Vibuc'h and Hades, Heol Telwen's music has taken a new extent, and we have gained in intensity... They got into the band so naturally that they seem to have always been part of it...

Heol Telwen has become an indivisible unity ; the line-up is very strong this time, and more than ever since the recording of Mor Braz.

When we decided to take a celtic orientation, we wanted to do 100%, not like those so-called celtic bands, which use that imagery in ideological purposes and actually play basic black metal without any folk or cultural influence...

As far as we are concerned, adding traditional instruments such as irish tin whistles and bombarde seemed essential, therefore Gwadsec'Hedik Kraban decided naturally to learn playing those instruments... Later, we actively looked for a full-time whistle player, which we found in Hades.

We can add that until the album, our musique will include more traditional instruments...

In Mor Braz, Gwadsec'Hedik Kraban composed main guitar riffs and flute melodies, and we worked and arranged the whole durant rehearsals. Each member brings his ideas, we can say every compo is the result of a group work. We have also gained a true complicity so that we are now in phase and we can experiment and improvize... which is really pleasant!

Up to now, nothing really definite, the first gig should occur in France during next Fall, et is likely to be followed by a few others, with pagan metal bands such as Hyadningar or Nydvind.

Well, at the present time, it is hard to find a label to release the album we are writing. And obviously new gigs...

Any final thoughts?

Thanks to all the people who have been supporting us for these four years of existence, we know who you are! Hailz!

Interviewed by Federico Marongiu