Interview By Marc "Peston" Sels

Gwyllion is a gothic metal band with 2 (very good) albums on their account and some difficulties trying to keep a female vocalist in their rangs. But let's see what founder -member Wouter has to tell us.

Can you give us a brief history of Gwyllion?

Somewhere in Autumn 2003 Annelore (our original singer) and me were sitting in her kitchen talking about bands we played in, what we would like to do with music, etc.- and since we had quite the same ideas about it, we deceided to start a band ourselves. Musicians were quickly found – my brothers Martijn and Joris, both very talented musicians, and Thomas, who had played already with Marijn and me in another band. Later we also recruted Steve, who had played in a band with Annelore.

The band started like most of the bands, writing songs, recording a demo, doing some gigs, but everything turned up more seriously in 2007 with the release of "Awakening the dream", what was (despite the minor recordingquality) very good received by press and public. Bigger gigs followed, and we decided to go a step further with the recording of the follower of "Awakening". We spent a whole lot of time at the writing of the numbersand for the recordings we worked together with Jens Bogren in the Fascination Street Studios in Sweden, who also had some masterpieces with Opeth, Katatonia, Pain of Salvation and a whole lot of other bands on his name. "The edge of all I know" therefore has become the best record we ever hoped to bring out, and the reactions were overwhelming positive.

It is the first cd we bring out with label support – as well in Europe as in Japan. We also did get many proposes to go on tour, but in the beginning of this year, at our regret Annelore decided to quit the band, and we still are looking for a good replacement, so we had to cancel the tour.

What, who or where is Gwyllion ? -The word, not the band- .

Gwyllion is a word of the Celtic mythology, a faerie who lured walkers from the path, so they were lost.

In the metal-scene you can't survive just as a band. Do you have "regular" jobs?

Of course. The band earns just enough to stay alive but the bandmembers don't see any improvements when they chech their bankaccounts, on the contrary. I myself am an IT Managerin a productioncompany. Martijn is a studentescort, Steve is Support engeneer, Thomas works as a printer and Joris is a programmaker.

How is the search for a new singer going? Or can it be a male singer (like Hooverphonic supposed to replace Geike Arnaert)?

Annelore had a very special timbre, very powerful, while most women have a finer voice, more like Within Temptation. We're not looking for that because the voice of Annelore made for a big part the sound of Gwyllion and we like to keep that sound. So it is not quite easy to find somobody with a voice who also has the technique and stage presence needed for a metal band. Maybe everything is possible, but I don't see us (with Gwyllion) getting on stage with a male singer. The future will tell us....

 Gwyllion appears to be a family business. Doesn't that cause any troubles? (We say "You can choose your friends, not your family").

Strictly speaking, no, though, sometimes it can be loud, but that's more for fun than seriously.The chemistry between Martijn and me was there even before Gwyllion and Joris is a very good musician who has only a positive influence. Until now everything is fine.

How were the reactions on the two cd's?

Amazing well, we don't have to complain. We are very pleased ourselves with whath we recorded yet, especially when you see the progress from the first to the second cd. Let's hope we can say the same with the next one.

"Lost in a dream". Are you an Edgar Allen Poe-fan?Are there some more literary influences?

Oh yes, sure, Edgar Allen Poe is one of the greatest poets where I found lyrics from. They are really incredibly. There are some other influences, and that's very wide, from fantasy literature to films, other bands, friends.....

What are your musical influences, examples, heroes?

Too much to mention. I have a great difference in musical taste, almost everything that's metal, classical, soundtracks... Favourites at the moments are mayby Pain of Salvation and In Flames. But maybe next month I'll say something different.

Who would you like to share a podium with? And why?

Hehe, see the question above, with every musician I appriciate. If you want names : David Gildenlöw, Mikael Akerfeldt, Mike Portnoy and James Hetfield.Just for the great respect I have for these people.

If you find a singer (male or female), what are the plans for 2010?

Touring, writing new music, start recording a new cd and drink a lot!!!

Links

Gwyllion Official MySpace

Gwyllion Official Site

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