Black metal and folk metal, two genres that are pretty damn good separate, and yet I’ve never thought about how it would sound if you combined them both. Thrawsunblat’s new album, “Wanderer on the Continent of Saplings”, is probably the best result you’ll ever get. To be honest, I’ve been a fan of this band ever since I first heard of Thrawsunblat’s first album, “Canada 2010″. Heavily influenced by life and his surroundings, Joel Violette puts together a wonderful album and the musicians he has brought onto this project make everything come together so beautifully. Rae Amitay on drums and Brendan Hayter on the bass make this release such a step up from Canada 2010, it’s as if they had a major label backing them, million dollar producers and engineers putting forth every bit of musical science into the album. However, this band put together a fundraiser and the fans reacted and come together to help fund this album. With the help of the fans and the masterful musicianship from the band itself, it all resulted in one of the most fulfilling metal releases of the year!!!
Thrawsunblat have done it! They met their goals, worked tirelessly to get these new tunes recorded and have released the brand spanking new epic known as “Wanderer on the Continent of Saplings”!!! If you missed the interview with Joel Violette, be sure to catch up on that while you listen to the new album on their bandcamp page. A proper review will no doubt appear on this site soon, but for now I can just say I am loving every single bit of blood, sweat and tears that was poured into this record. The perfect way to start your day, listen to Thrawsunblat!!!!
Joel Violette, a man I admire. A man with intellect, talent and a desire to continue on after hard times. Joel is the main writer of the Canadian Blackened Folk band “Thrawsunblat” and ex-lead guitarist of Woods of Ypres. Now focusing on Thrawsunblat, we’re going to be seeing new music and much more coming from this band in the near future. I had a couple of questions for Joel and I enjoyed what he had to say. So sit back, relax and enjoy the deep responses this man gives.
Canadian blackened folk metal band Thrawsunblat have revealed their album art for their second album, “Wanderer on the Continent of Saplings”. Art & design by Brett Goodchild. Photo by Blake Menzies. No release date as of yet but I’m sure it’s safe to say sometime in 2013. Hopefully winter of 2013? That’s just wishful thinking though.
Tracklist after the jump. Click the thumbnail to blow up the album art on the left.
Thrawsunblat updates!!!!! They have reached their goal but it was bare minimum so keep donating! Great music coming soon!!!! Be sure to watch the second video (Update 3) for awesome folk dancing from Rae.
Thrawsunblat, the blackened folk band of awesomeness out of Canada is looking to release a new album and possibly tour, and they NEED YOUR HELP!!!!! How can you help? It’s easy, all you need to do is send donations to “thrawsunblat[at]gmail[dot]com”. With each donation and depending on how much you donate, you will get rewarded for it! The best reward package has already been used up though and some lucky winner got Joel Violette’s Jackson guitar. I love this band and they need us to continue on their journey! Thrawsunblat has some of the most talented artists playing and they are looking to dominate the world very soon. The sooner, the better and you can check out their site and music below!!!!
One of the most anticipated releases for me is the new album from Thrawsunblat!!!! Thrawsunblat (Joel Violette, Rae Amitay, & Brendan Hayter) are pleased to announce the following:
Joel Violette, former guitarist for Woods of Ypres and creative force behind the blackened folk metal band Thrawsunblat, has been hard at work on the second Thrawsunblat full-length, Thrawsunblat II: Wanderer on the Continent of Saplings. The first album, Canada 2010, was released in January of 2010 and featured the late David Gold (Woods of Ypres) on drums, and Joel on guitar, bass, and vocals. Thrawsunblat II pushes the boundaries of its predecessor with a musical landscape featuring blackened folk metal as well as Maritime acoustic folk. The album is twelve tracks and sixty minutes of Atlantic Canadian rawness, filled out by fiddle, piano, and Irish whistle performances.
Lyrically, Wanderer on the Continent of Saplings is a concept album, drawing structurally and thematically from Joseph Campbell’s studies on mythology, Hero with A Thousand Faces and The Hero’s Journey. Some of the album’s overarching themes are: Existence on North America, our continent of cultural saplings, the journey we must take grieving death, seeking satisfaction amidst chaos, and how we deal with these ageless human issues in this modern age.
Joel has reprised his role as songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist for the album, and enlisted Rae Amitay and Brendan Hayter to handle drums and bass, respectively. The pair was chosen to complete the Woods of Ypres line-up for the band’s European tour in support of Woods 5: Grey Skies and Electric Light. Unfortunately, the tragic passing of David Gold put an end to those plans, but drummer Rae Amitay says, “Thrawsunblat II is an incredibly special way for the three of us to create music together. It’s an amazing project, and I’m honoured that Joel has chosen us to be a part of it.”
Thrawsunblat II was recorded in July and August, in studios in both Canada and the United States. The band hopes to release both physical copies and digital downloads of the album in January of 2013.
When I saw this press release come out this song immediately rushed into my mind and now I just HAVE to listen to it. It’s just one of the many great songs from their last release. Be sure to listen to Thrawsunblat, I cannot stress enough how good they are and how much raw emotion and talent is poured into this thing. I’ve yet to communicate with Brendan, but Joel and Rae are some of the nicest, most talented people I have had the privileged of communicating with and their choice to have Brendan amongst their ranks must mean that he is a great person/musician as well. I’m stoked! I cannot wait to hear this album!!!! Be sure to visit their fundraiser page as well, this band needs money for the album release and possible touring! I don’t know but be sure to help them out.
David Gold, founder and frontman of the great band Woods of Ypres, would have been 32 today. Remember him and listen to his great work. Listen to Woods of Ypres and hear him play drums in Thrawsunblat and Necramyth!!! HAIL DAVID GOLD!!! We all miss you man. You still continue to inspire and influence me to this day. See you on the other side my friend. Cheers!!!!
This week I want to feature Thrawsunblat for the Wreckommendation of the week. If you’re a fan of black metal, folk metal or whatever it is that makes Woods of Ypres & Agalloch so special, then you’ll abso-fucking-lutely love Thrawsunblat. Oh and Joel Violette & David Gold from Woods of Ypres are on this, maybe that’s why it’s so damn good. I wrote about this band early on when this blog started and it doesn’t lose it’s charm. I could try to chat you up on how good this is but you should just listen to it instead. Check them out on Bandcamp and Facebook! Enjoy Thrawsunblat.
From the cold frigid north comes some unique black metal from Thrawsunblat. Joel Violette (Woods of Ypres) pilots this beast that is a mesh between GOOD folk metal and black metal. Keeping things enjoyable for the whole family! Thrawsunblat is a good listen and I highly recommend it. If you like it, purchase the album! Check out the entire album HERE!
If the title doesn’t explain it well enough, then head over to their bandcamp and enjoy the music they are offering. Then buy the album!
I’m currently listening to this as I type it and I am really digging it! I just listened to the album in full and IT IS FUCKING GOOD!!! I like their approach to folk metal. It’s the best adaptation I’ve ever heard of this genre, quite frankly.
