On July 14, 2012 Madison, WI black metallers WARSEID released one hell of a debut EP called Where Fate Lies Unbound. Black metal intensity blends seamlessly with folk majesty in the creation of a penetrating metal experience! Seeking to raise its game from the material heard on the early demos WARSEID explored longer compositional structures, more developed chord progressions, and more intricate harmony on Where Fate Lies Unbound. This combined with Cory Scheider's (Casket Robbery, Luna Mortis, Epicurean) production techniques at Old Dark House Studio resulted in a shockingly impressive debut offering.
 |
| Shackles through Sand Frost Upon Embers The Vengeance Pact Farewell |
Warseid (War-sade) began in Verona, Wisconsin, as the humble solo-project of then 15 year-old guitarist and vocalist Logan Smith. In early 2008, Logan deviated from a short lived death metal project and began composing songs to explore his long held interest in history and mythology. He entitled this project Varangian Guard, after the strong garrison of the Byzantine Emperors. Logan worked for several months to compose his music in solitude. However, he felt as though his work was incomplete and eventually began to entertain the idea of assimilating other musicians. Thus, he recruited two of his former bandmates: bassist Kyle Cushman and drummer Kellan Hilscher. The trio began developing the songs Logan had written and word began to spread of the growing folk metal band.
A few months following the addition of Kyle and Kellan, Varangian Guard sought to evolve further. Several of their songs had been written, but a second guitarist was needed to complete the compositions. Word was sent to another local musician: Brandon Salaway. An avid guitarist and long-time friend of Logan's, Brandon quickly seized the role of lead guitarist and set the band on the road to distinction. With this addition, Varangian Guard ceased to be and the four advanced under the banner of Warseid. They released their first recording, the Winter Legions demo in the early months of 2009.
It was not long after the production of the Winter Legions demo that Brandon introduced the band to his friend, Joe Meland, an artisan of the keys and composition virtuoso. Upon hearing Joe's one man black metal project, Nephilim Rising, it was decided that he was to be the fifth member of Warseid. With the addition of Joe, the completed group began their work on several new songs and began actively playing shows around the Midwest. Word spread among and beyond Warseid's followers as the band recorded their Autumn Winds Promo EP in the spring of 2010.
During that summer, following the well received Autumn Winds EP, and a steadily growing fan-base, Warseid recorded a second EP. However, due to a restricting budget and the untimely departure of Brandon, their first studio recording, Sentry was completed after only two weeks in studio. Though it is not a perfect representation of the band's intention, Sentry serves as an effective departure from Warseid's old material.
Follow the release of Sentry, Warseid immediately began writing and rehearsing material for a new EP. By the summer of 2011 a completed second EP entitled, Where Fate Lies Unbound, had been written and the decision was made to move Logan strictly to the lead vocalist position with the addition of the phenomenal rhythm guitarist, Andre Cailliet. Since the addition of Andre, Warseid has focused primarily on recording the new EP. Although the process is slow due to the temporary absence of Joe, Brandon, and Logan (who attend college far from home), Where Fate Lies Unbound is scheduled for release in the summer of 2012, with Corey Scheider of Casket Robbery and Luna Mortis fame heading production.
No comments:
Post a Comment