Waylander
Waylander at Cernunnos Pagan Fest
Waylander at Cernunnos Pagan Fest
Background information
OriginArmagh, Northern Ireland
GenresFolk metal[1]
Black metal[2]
Celtic metal[3]
Years active1993–present
LabelsListenable
MembersCiaran O'Hagan
Saul McMichael
Tor Dennison
Steve Reynolds
Lee McCartney
Dave Briggs
Past membersJason Barriskill
Nick Shannon
Bo Murphy
Mairtin McCormaic
Fearghal Duffy
Peter Boylan
Owen Boden
Dermot O'Hagan
Kevin Canavan
Gareth Murdock
Ade Mulgrew
Michael Proctor

Waylander are a Northern Irish folk metal band influential in the realms of Celtic metal. Formed in 1993, the band blends traditional 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. 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 Records, 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, Sabbat and Skyforger. In 2005, joining original members ArdChieftain O' Hagan, Michael Proctor, and Den Ferran were 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." Waylander's debut album, Reawakening Pride Once Lost, has been re-released by Midhir Records on CD and vinyl.

In 2009, Gareth Murdock left the band to be the new bassist for Alestorm.

Discography

Studio albums

Demo albums

Members

Current members

Former members

  • Den Ferren – drums (1993–2000, 2003–2013)
  • Jason Barriskill – bass (1993–1995) (died 2010)
  • Baylers – guitars (1993)
  • Peter Boylan – guitars (1993, 1999–2001)
  • Dermot O'Hagan – guitars (1993–2003)
  • Michael Proctor – bass (1995–2018)
  • Máirtín Mac Cormaic – tin whistle, bodhrán (1996–2002)
  • Bo Murphy – drums (2000–2001)
  • Owen Bowden – guitars (2001–2003)
  • Nick Shannon – drums (2001–2003)
  • Kevin Canavan – guitars (2003)
  • Fearghal Duffy – guitars (2003–2004)
  • Alan Connolly – guitars (2005)
  • Gareth Murdock – guitars (2005–2008, 2008–2009)
  • Ade Mulgrew – guitars (2008)
  • Hugh O'Neill – guitars (2009–2011)
  • Steve Reynolds – bass (2018–2019, 2021–2022)

Timeline

References

  1. ↑ DaRonco, Mike. "Waylander biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
  2. ↑ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Waylander biography". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 15 January 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
  3. ↑ Bowar, Chad. "What Is Heavy Metal?". About.com. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
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