Waylander (band)

Waylander is a Northern Irish band influential in the realms of Celtic folk metal. Formed in 1993, the band blends historical Irish folk with 1990s heavy metal.

Biography

Formed in 1993, Waylander released their debut demo, "Once Upon An Era", in early 1995, mixing Irish folk music with extreme metal. Waylander were soon dubbed folk, Celtic and pagan metal.Fact|date=August 2008 In 1996, with the addition of a full time tin-whistle player, Waylander released their second demo, "Dawning of a New Age", which soon gained the band a prominent position in the folk metal scene. This was cemented when Waylander signed to Century Media, and in 1998 their debut album was released, entitled "Reawakening Pride Once Lost". A handful of gigs were undertaken to promote this album but label problems and internal strife blunted the potential somewhat. After overcoming some line-up changes, Waylander signed with Blackend Records and released their "The Light, the Dark and the Endless Knot" album in early 2001. Again internal strife reared up, culminating in numerous line-up changes for several years. Despite this Waylander managed to perform some notable gigs, including the Bloodstock and Day of Darkness festivals, as well as gigs with Ancient Rites, Cathedral, Return to the Sabbat and Skyforger. In 2005, joining original members ArdChieftain O’ Hagan, Michael Proctor, and Den Ferran are Saul McMichael and Gareth Murdock on guitars.

Waylander have inked a deal with Listenable Records and Waylander's new third album, entitled "Honour Amongst Chaos", is "more powerful and beautiful than ever, using a vast array of Irish folk instruments and armed with their passion for metal in its truest form," according to a press release. "Blending epic atmospheres and relentless brutality, 'Honour Amongst Chaos' reflects the heart and soul of pagan warriors worldwide Fact|date=August 2008 Waylander’s debut album, "Reawakening Pride Once Lost", has been re-released by Midhir Records on CD and vinyl.

Discography

*"Once Upon an Era" (1994), Demo
*"Dawning of a New Age" (1996), Demo
*"Reawakening Pride Once Lost" (1998), Century Media
*"The Light, the Dark and the Endless Knot" (2001), Blackend Records/PHD
*"Reawakening Pride Once Lost (reissue)" (1998), Midhir
*"Honour Amongst Chaos" (2008), Listenable Records

Current Line-up

*ArdChieftain O'Hagan - Vocals
*Saul McMichael - Guitars
*Gareth Murdock - Guitars
*Michael Proctor - Bass
*Den Ferran - Drums
*Dave Briggs - (Folk Instruments) Tin-whistle, Mandolin + bodhrán

Former members

*Máirtín Mac Cormaic - Tin-whistle + bodhrán
*Redser O'Hagan - Guitars
*Owen Bowden - Guitars
*Nick Shannon - Drums
*Kevin Canavan - Guitars
*Fearghal Duffy - Guitars

External links

* [http://www.waylander.org Official Site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/clanwaylander Offical MySpace]