Hellebaard

Biography

Inspired by pride and reverence for their ancestral homeland and traditional heathen beliefs. Hellebaard plays a unique mix of European pagan metal and Nordic black metal. Listen to Hellebaards battle hymns and hear the echoes of battle horns, knocking of weapons and armour, and cries of victory and death. Feel yourself wandering through ancient forests and over bare mountains, not tread by men before. Hellebaard is founded by it's two band members, Volmorth (guitars and keyboards) and Zarlack...

Inspired by pride and reverence for their ancestral homeland and traditional heathen beliefs. Hellebaard plays a unique mix of European pagan metal and Nordic black metal. Listen to Hellebaards battle hymns and hear the echoes of battle horns, knocking of weapons and armour, and cries of victory and death. Feel yourself wandering through ancient forests and over bare mountains, not tread by men before.

Hellebaard is founded by it's two band members, Volmorth (guitars and keyboards) and Zarlack (bass, drums and vocals), after five years of performing and recording with their previous band. When this band, the Dutch black metal band In Ruins, broke up, Volmorth and Zarlack decided to start a new band. A band that would honour their musical heroes and influences like Bathory and Darkthrone. A band in which they could apply their folk and melodic influences. A band with a name that would reflect ancient battles and medieval history. Hellebaard was born.

After founding Hellebaard in 2002, Volmorth and Zarlack started to write and record the first Hellebaard songs. These battle hymns were published online on MP3.com, where they generated thousands of downloads in just a few months time, an extraordinary achievement for an underground black metal band. This caught the attention of Wandalen, a small German record label. They released the "Hellebaard Wodans Lof Gewijden" promo in a limited edition in 2003, which has become a collectors item nowadays.

When Wandalen quit its activities, Hellebaard started searching for a new record label. Several labels were interested, but Hellebaard chose for CCP Records because they were suited the best to Hellebaards music and identity then. Hellebaards debut album "Strijdkracht" was recorded during winter 2003 and spring 2004, and was released in autumn 2004.

In the beginning of 2005, Hellebaard started writing songs for their second album "Valkyrenvlucht". On this album, Hellebaard brought in more folk and orchestral influences, making "Valkyrenvlucht" even more versatile then the debut album without
loosing the power and harshness Hellebaard is known for.

About a year after releasing "Valkyrenvlucht", Hellebaard started writing songs for their third and latest album “Duisternis”. An album which combines the classical and folk influences of “Valkyrenvlucht” with the power and aggression of “Strijdkracht”. “Duisternis” was finished in late spring 2007. By this time, the contract with CCP Records ended. Hellebaard decided to switch to a label with more affinity with the underground. The 'pure black metal label' Christhunt Productions had shown interest in Hellebaard several times before and was still very interested, so the choice was easy.

After a break in 2008, used by Volmorth and Zarlack to work on their musical side projects and look for a new record label, Hellebaard finished their fourth and latest album "Fier". "Fier" is released in 2009 by Gardarika Musikk, a label specialised in folk, pagan and viking music. On "Fier", Hellebaard experiences with different melodies and rythms which strengthen and enhance the original and unique Hellebaard style.

Although Hellebaards Dutch lyrics speak of nature, battle, blood, honour, pride, and remembering our ancestors, they should not be explained in a political way. Hellebaard does not expound or reflect any political views.

Hail and honour!

Volmorth & Zarlack Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.