Heol Telwen (Paris, France)
Heol Telwen are a french Celtic Folk Metal band created in 1999. Their music is a mix of extreme metal ( black, death, thrash ) and traditional folkloric music, mainly from France but also from Ireland and celtic countries.
The lyrics are based on old legends from Britanny, epic stories and nature. Heol Telwen released a demo in 2003 (Mor Braz) and his first album in 2005 (An Deiz Ruz). They are now working on their second album. Heol Telwen have played alongside the biggest names in folk metal and have certainly proven their worth in the genre. Highland Fire Fest will be Heol Telwen's first show in Scotland (or the UK for those who deny Scotland's freedom) and we are very sure its not going to be their last!
"Its fantastic news to have the almighty Heol Telwen in my country for Highland Fire Fest 2! Having been one of my personal influences in music its great to be able to give them such a big opportunity overseas. Having already got signed to the legendary 'Trollzorn Records' and released their debut album 'An Deiz Rus' things can only get better for these French celtic metallers!"
The lyrics are based on old legends from Britanny, epic stories and nature. Heol Telwen released a demo in 2003 (Mor Braz) and his first album in 2005 (An Deiz Ruz). They are now working on their second album. Heol Telwen have played alongside the biggest names in folk metal and have certainly proven their worth in the genre. Highland Fire Fest will be Heol Telwen's first show in Scotland (or the UK for those who deny Scotland's freedom) and we are very sure its not going to be their last!
"Its fantastic news to have the almighty Heol Telwen in my country for Highland Fire Fest 2! Having been one of my personal influences in music its great to be able to give them such a big opportunity overseas. Having already got signed to the legendary 'Trollzorn Records' and released their debut album 'An Deiz Rus' things can only get better for these French celtic metallers!"
Second Headliner (Germany/Norway/Estonia)
Still to be announced is the second headliner, I have a few ideas up my sleeve, all of which are very well known in the Folk Metal/Pagan Metal genre and certainly have a well established fanbase. Keep looking at this site to see who this secret number is!
Ravenage (Hull, Northumbria)
The UK's battle metal titans Ravenage play anthems of wars, gods, victories, defeats, and of course drinking. After going through several line-up changes in 2009, the band are now stronger than ever bringing you a twin-axe assault on top of epic keyboards and thundering drums. With a short but strong gig record supporting several signed national and international bands around the country, Ravenage bring you Epic Heathen Metal!
"My personal favourite band in the underground of this genre. Ravenage have that drive and heart to accomplish what every band in the genre strives for. Their explosive set last year at Highland Fire Fest was not only inspirational to other musicians but they really made a good impression on us Scots!
Completely unique sound intertwines with strong will and determination, Lets give Ravenage a reception they will never forget!" - Mata Druim, Organiser of HFF2
"My personal favourite band in the underground of this genre. Ravenage have that drive and heart to accomplish what every band in the genre strives for. Their explosive set last year at Highland Fire Fest was not only inspirational to other musicians but they really made a good impression on us Scots!
Completely unique sound intertwines with strong will and determination, Lets give Ravenage a reception they will never forget!" - Mata Druim, Organiser of HFF2
Annwn (Wales)
"Then they took the flowers of the oak, and the flowers of the broom, and the flowers of the meadowsweet, and from those they conjured up the fairest and most beautiful maiden that anyone had ever seen. And they baptized her in the way they did at that time, and named her Blodeuedd"
Heavily influenced by the Finnish metal scene and traditional Welsh folk music, Annwn was founded in 2005 by Owain ap Arawn (Aled Pashley). For some time Annwn remained as a one-man band, with Owain recording the first demo on his own, entitled 'From The Highest Citadel'. Soon after the release of this demo, Martin joined the band as the drummer and Gavin soon followed as an additional guitarist. For some months then, various keyboardists came and went, during which time Nevern joined as the bassist. A second demo was released in 2007, simply titled 'Annwn'.
As the music has progressed over the past few years, the style has leant away from Scandinavian influenced 'Viking metal' and more towards a more 'Celtic metal' feel.
The name of the band, Annwn, is the name of the Otherworld in Welsh mythology. It was an island that existed somewhere far to the west of Wales, so far away that that only way you could reach there was to die. It was a place of eternal happiness, green fields and hills, and all the food and drink you could ever desire.
It was however possible to reach Annwn by another means...in legend, there existed a door which lead directly to the land. This door was rumoured to have been somewhere at the mouth of Afon Hafren (the River Severn). Once a year, the door was opened in order for mortals to enter the land of Annwn and feast in its green lands for one day, on the condition that nothing was taken back from the land to the mortal world at the end of the day. On one years feast though a man pocketed a small flower from its gardens and passed through the doorway back to his own world...and because of this, the door to Annwn was sealed shut forever, and in time its location was lost in folklore and myth...
For those who do not speak Welsh, Annwn is pronounced AN-NOON.
After their amazing performance last year, i decided to bring annwn back to highland fire fest in 2010. Annwn have a well established fan base and are really making a name for themselves. Having wowed an audience at bloodstock, it wont be long before these welsh metallers are up their with the legends of the genre.
Heavily influenced by the Finnish metal scene and traditional Welsh folk music, Annwn was founded in 2005 by Owain ap Arawn (Aled Pashley). For some time Annwn remained as a one-man band, with Owain recording the first demo on his own, entitled 'From The Highest Citadel'. Soon after the release of this demo, Martin joined the band as the drummer and Gavin soon followed as an additional guitarist. For some months then, various keyboardists came and went, during which time Nevern joined as the bassist. A second demo was released in 2007, simply titled 'Annwn'.
As the music has progressed over the past few years, the style has leant away from Scandinavian influenced 'Viking metal' and more towards a more 'Celtic metal' feel.
The name of the band, Annwn, is the name of the Otherworld in Welsh mythology. It was an island that existed somewhere far to the west of Wales, so far away that that only way you could reach there was to die. It was a place of eternal happiness, green fields and hills, and all the food and drink you could ever desire.
It was however possible to reach Annwn by another means...in legend, there existed a door which lead directly to the land. This door was rumoured to have been somewhere at the mouth of Afon Hafren (the River Severn). Once a year, the door was opened in order for mortals to enter the land of Annwn and feast in its green lands for one day, on the condition that nothing was taken back from the land to the mortal world at the end of the day. On one years feast though a man pocketed a small flower from its gardens and passed through the doorway back to his own world...and because of this, the door to Annwn was sealed shut forever, and in time its location was lost in folklore and myth...
For those who do not speak Welsh, Annwn is pronounced AN-NOON.
After their amazing performance last year, i decided to bring annwn back to highland fire fest in 2010. Annwn have a well established fan base and are really making a name for themselves. Having wowed an audience at bloodstock, it wont be long before these welsh metallers are up their with the legends of the genre.
Fortrius (The Heart of Pictland)
Formed at the beginning of 2009 after the death of previous band "Fortriu", The newly named FORTRIUS began their epic journey into the folk metal genre. Started by Mata Druim (Former vocalist of Fortriu, and previous Jacobite member), Fortrius were and are the voice of the ancient civilisation of what is now Scotland - The Picti or the Cruithne Folk. Their mysterious culture would form the backbone of their folk inspired music. Soon after Fortrius began, talented musician Heather Currie entered the fray. Having played folk music for years upon years and founded the scottish folk metal band "Brodgar", she was sure to add some much needed talent to Fortrius. After much delay the band finally managed to get a full lineup, Jay Dixon agreed to play bass aswell as Lee Noon jumping at the chance to become the Fortrius Drummer, the journey had began....
Fortrius are recording their first Demo "Broichan" early next year.
Fortrius are recording their first Demo "Broichan" early next year.
Windrider (Hull, Northumbria)
Windrider is an epic folk metal band from Hull, England. Begun in 2008 as a solo project of Elliot Vernon, they now play as a full band line-up. Drawing strong influences from Moonsorrow and Falkenbach, the four-piece play Norse Mythology and Tolkien influenced metal with epic keyboards while retaning strong folky sensibilities, complete with harsh and clean vocals.
Andraste (Sheffield, UK)
"Andraste started with Corvix and Jorund colliding in the moshpit at Paganfest 08...and an outpouring of pent-up folk and metal tunes soon followed. Atticus got wind of this through a mutual friend and brought in a second lead guitar, vocals, mandolin and melodeon; and dragged in Scapa on drums and vocals. The Goddess arose.... Our Tunes are firmly rooted in both traditional British folk music and various forms of extreme metal, and we draw on a deep collective love and long experience of both. Weve taken inspiration from stories, history and music from all over the British Isles and Europe, but especially from the celtic and viking North - 'Shield Ring' and 'Honour' are both based on the story of a Cumbrian rebel army battling on in Buttermere after the rape of York; 'Ravenhill' and 'Realm of the Supernatural' on old Welsh and Cumbric poems (and excessive consumption of mead...) . . . . . . . . . . and one more thing... Its unfortunate that we've even felt the need to write this, but so many bands have been unfairly accused that its just beyond a joke. Andraste have no political agenda whatsoever - we just want to make the music we enjoy and have fun."
Aroara (Moray, Scotland)
AroarA are a 4-piece progressive celtic group from the North-East of Scotland. Described by popular US folk music magazine “Dirty Linen” as “Metallica-meets-Wolfstone” with “sizzling electric guitar and artillery-barrage drumming”, the band combines progressive metal influences from groups such as Mastodon, Opeth and Dream Theater with modern bagpipes and whistle melodies to create a truly unique sound. Since forming in 2002, AroarA have performed in numerous locations throughout the country, including Celtic Connections, the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen, Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange and several main stage slots at Scottish music festival Speyfest, as well as providing support for some of the biggest acts in the folk music world, most notably Croft No. Five, Malinky and Wolfstone.
In 2007 the group completed their third self-produced album, titled “Forward Through Ruin”. The combination “ear-frying bagpipes” with “furious, oft-changing rhythms” led to it being hailed as “one of the most cool and original albums of the year” and “the pinnacle so far of any fusing of heavy & ancient music” by independent US music publication “Chaos Realm.” Comprised purely of original compositions, “Forward Through Ruin” flows expertly between intensely heavy, technical passages and subtle melodic sections, all the while retaining the distinctive and exciting quality which defines AroarA’s inimitable live sound.
March 2008 saw AroarA make their first overseas performance in the form of a 5 date tour of Slovakia, organised by Slovak company Fruitstand Music. Such was the success of this tour that the group plan to return to mainland Europe in October 2008, with preliminary arrangements currently in place for concerts in France, Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. Stay tuned...
In 2007 the group completed their third self-produced album, titled “Forward Through Ruin”. The combination “ear-frying bagpipes” with “furious, oft-changing rhythms” led to it being hailed as “one of the most cool and original albums of the year” and “the pinnacle so far of any fusing of heavy & ancient music” by independent US music publication “Chaos Realm.” Comprised purely of original compositions, “Forward Through Ruin” flows expertly between intensely heavy, technical passages and subtle melodic sections, all the while retaining the distinctive and exciting quality which defines AroarA’s inimitable live sound.
March 2008 saw AroarA make their first overseas performance in the form of a 5 date tour of Slovakia, organised by Slovak company Fruitstand Music. Such was the success of this tour that the group plan to return to mainland Europe in October 2008, with preliminary arrangements currently in place for concerts in France, Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. Stay tuned...
Northern Oak (Sheffield, UK)
Combining medieval and naturalistic melodies and rhythms with thrashy, black metal-inspired riffs, Northern Oak set out to create a uniquely and quintessentially English angle on the idea of ‘mature folk metal’ with a focus on the power of nature and spirituality.
Currently a five-man, one-woman nature and pagan-inspired folk metal band from Sheffield, Yorkshire.
Currently a five-man, one-woman nature and pagan-inspired folk metal band from Sheffield, Yorkshire.
