Waylander (baund)

Waylander is a Northren Erse baund influential in the realms of Celtic fowk metal. Formed in 1993, the baund blends traditional Erse fowk wi 1990s hivy metal.

Biography

Formed in 1993, Waylander released thair debut demo, Once Upon an Era, in early 1995, mixing Erse fowk muisic wi extreme metal. Waylander war suin dubbed fowk, Celtic an pagan metal. In 1996, wi the addition o a full time tin-whistle player, Waylander released thair seicont demo, Dawning o a New Age, which suin gained the baund a prominent poseetion in the fowk metal scene. This wis cemented when Waylander signed tae Century Media Records, an in 1998 thair debut album wis released, entitled Reawakening Pride Once Lost. A handful o gigs war undertaken tae promote this album but label problems an internal strife blunted the potential somewhat. Efter overcoming some line-up changes, Waylander signed wi Blackend Records an released thair The Light, the Dark and the Endless Knot album in early 2001. Again internal strife reared up, culminatin in numerous line-up changes for several years. Despite this Waylander managed tae perform some notable gigs, includin the Bloodstock an Day of Darkness festivals, as well as gigs wi Ancient Rites, Cathedral, Return tae the Sabbat an Skyforger. In 2005, joining oreeginal members ArdChieftain O’ Hagan, Michael Proctor, an Den Ferran war Saul McMichael an Gareth Murdock on guitars.

Waylander hae inked a deal wi Listenable Records an Waylander's new third album, entitled Honour Amongst Chaos, is "more pouerful an beautiful than ever, using a vast array o Erse fowk instruments an armed with their passion for metal in its truest form," accordin tae a press release. "Blending epic atmospheres an relentless brutality, 'Honour Amongst Chaos' reflects the hert an soul o pagan warriors warldwide. Waylander's debut album, Reawakening Pride Once Lost, haes been re-released bi Midhir Records on CD an vinyl.

In 2009, Gareth Murdock left the baund tae be the new bassist for Alestorm.

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
• Honour Amongst Chaos (2008), Listenable Records
• Kindred Spirits (2012)
• Eriú's Wheel (2019)

Current Line-up

• ArdChieftain O'Hagan - Vocals
• Saul McMichael - Guitars
• Hugh O'Neill - Guitars
• Michael Proctor - Bass
• Den Ferran - Drums
• Dave Briggs - Tin whistle, Mandolin an bodhrán

Umwhile members

• Jason Barriskill - bass
• Máirtín Mac Cormaic - tin-whistle + bodhrán
• Redser O'Hagan - guitars
• Owen Bowden - guitars
• Nick Shannon - drums
• Kevin Canavan - guitars
• Fearghal Duffy - guitars
• Gareth Murdock - guitars