Slechtvalk

Infobox musical artist
Name = Slechtvalk

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Img_capt = Vocalist Ohtar and Slechtvalk live in 2005.
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Background = group_or_band
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Origin = Hague, The Netherlands
Instrument =
Genre = Dark metal Viking metal Unblack metal ^{("Falconry" especially)}
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Years_active = 2000 – Present
Label = Fear Dark
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URL = [http://www.slechtvalk.com slechtvalk.com]
Current_members = Shamgar - (guitars, vocals) Ohtar - (bass, vocals) Grimbold - (drums, vocals) Hydrith - (synths) Seraph - (guitars)
Past_members = Nath - (bass) Fionnghuala - (soprano) Sorgier - (keyboards)
Notable_instruments =

Slechtvalk is a dark metal band from Hague, The Netherlands, formed in 2000. The band has achieved chart success in the metal circles of its country, and the Dutch press sometimes refers to them as the best black metal band in Lowlands. [ [http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showinterview.php?id=1077&lang=en Slectvalk] . Lords of Metal interview; [http://www.klokradio.nl/powerhour/SlechtvalkInt.htm Slechtvalk] , Klokradio.nl] Signed to Fear Dark record label, the group has released 3 albums, a split-CD with Kekal, a single and a DVD. The second album, "The War That Plagues the Lands" reached #2 at Lowland's Top 50 Metal Charts. The third album, "At the Dawn of War" was accompanied with the release of their live-DVD "Upon the Fields of Battle" and the maxisingle for "Thunder of War." A music video was shot for the song, achieving airplay on the Dutch music programs.

Slechtvalk plays dark metal with folk influences, as well as strong musical loans from symphonic metal. They have developed their own style by mixing these elements. [ [http://metalmessage.net/Interviews/slechtvalk-engl.htm Slechtvalk] Metal Message] The name "Slechtvalk" is taken from the Dutch name for the Peregrine Falcon. Currently Slechtvalk is writing material for their future album as well as seeking new label to work with.

History

Slechtvalk began as a solo project, formed by vocalist-guitarist Shamgar. Slechtvalk's debut album was released in 2000 by the Dutch label Fear Dark. Musically the album featured symphonic black metal style with inspirational and spiritual lyrics.

"Falconry" achieved a positive reception and afterwards Holland's metal magazines such as Aardschok interviewed Shamgar. He became somewhat known in the Dutch metal scene and took advantage of his reputation to form a band. He succeeded with this and the band was joined by soprano singer Fionnghuala, folk vocalist and rhythm guitarist Ohtar, bassist Nath, drummer Grimbold, keyboardist Sorgier, and dancer Meallá. In 2002 they visited a studio to create their second full-length album called "The War That Plagues the Lands". Its cover art was done by Kris Verwimp. The lyrical output was less obvious and took a more fantasy-oriented approach as the lyrics talk somewhat metaphorically about a warlord. As a teaser they first released a split CD with Kekal from Indonesia (who are also signed Fear Dark). Both bands recorded four songs and a cover. Slechtvalk made a cover of Antestor's "Kongsblod" (from the album "The Return of the Black Death"). Within 3 weeks "The War That Plagues the Lands" reached a number 2 position in the Lowlands Top 50, the most known metal-chart from the Netherlands.

In March 2003 Slechtvalk toured through Europe for the first time and played at several festivals. They played in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and Sweden as well as in The Netherlands.

The band was noticed outside Europe as well. The record company Sonnengut Music released the album for the Asian market. In Eastern Europe, the album was released by a Slovakian company called HROM Music. To strengthen their position as one of the leading dark metal groups in Holland, Slechtvalk made a club tour as Serenade of Darkness' opening act.

In 2005, the band released their third album called "At the Dawn of War" which is more symphonic and contains a lot of elements from the folk metal genre. The band also incorporated more war and fantasy themes to their live shows and began dressing in mediaeval warrior costumes. In the same year Slechtvalk released their first live-DVD called "Upon the Fields of Battle", which was filmed at the club Hedon Zwolle. They also released a maxisingle of the song "Thunder og War". A musicvideo was shot for it and achieved some airplay at local music channels. The band made a At the Dawn of War Tour through several European countries with Frosthardr.

In July 2006, the soprano singer Fionnghuala left the group to focus on her classical music career. Slechtvalk began writing new material and announced that the music would take a more technical and brutal approach.

During early 2006 the band was joined by Grimbold's brother Seraph as a guitarist. Later in February 2007, the bassist Nath left the group.

Nowadays Slechtvalk is known as one of Holland's leading black metal bands.

Current band lineup

*Shamgar - Guitars/Vocals
*Ohtar - Bass/Vocals
*Grimbold - Drums/Add. Vocals
*Hydrith - Synths
*Seraph - guitars

Former members

*Nath - Bass
*Fionnghuala - Soprano
*Sorgier - Keys

Discography

*"Falconry" (2000)
*"The War That Plagues the Lands" (2002)
*"At the Dawn of War" (2005)

Other Releases

*"Chaos & Warfare" (Split-CD with Kekal) (2002 Fear Dark Records)
*"Upon the Fields of Battle" (DVD) (2005 Fear Dark Records)
*"Thunder Of War" (CD-Single) (2005 Fear Dark Records)

Side projects

* Ohtar was a member of the folk metal band 'Heidevolk'.

References

External links

* [http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=5957 Slechtvalk] at Encyclopaedia Metallum
* [http://www.slechtvalk.com Slechtvalk website] en
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