Arendia Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

 

Hi, sure. After we released Hymns of Ember and Ash we have taken a couple of months break to get some ideas and riffs with the intention of starting to write for a full-length album which we will be starting to write in the next couple of weeks. We’ve a few ideas theme wise, but musically we expect it to carry on from the last EP.

 

 

 

 

2.A few months back you released a new ep, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

 

I would say the songs are much more focused, shorter and more energetic. Musically I think its an amalgamation of all the styles we have played in the past wrapped up in those four songs.

 

 

 

 

3.A lot of your lyrics cover Paganism themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

 

Yes, much of our inspiration comes from local history, folklore and literature and is a theme running throughout our music. I have an interest in paganism in general particularly in Wicca which is the inspiration behind the song Holmwood.

 

 

 

 

4.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored over the years with your music?

 

Aside from telling the tales of our nearby moorlands we have touched on the environment, alchemy, level 4 viruses and fantasy themes amongst many others. Books are a major source of inspiration for me, we have written songs inspired by David Eddings and Robert Holdstock and others in the past.

 

 

 

 

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Arendia'?

 

I came up with the name Arendia back when this was just a side project between myself and Simon (drums). The name is taken from David Eddings’ Belgariad series in which it is one of the main lands in the story.

 

 

 

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new ep cover?

 

We wanted to continue the paganism/wildwood theme that we have but also something a little darker than we have done in the past. The idea of the solitary man walking in the Holloway into the wildwoods was something that connected our fantasy themes with the paganism well.

 

 

 

7.Out of all the shows and tours the band has done so far which one stands out the most?

 

Unfortunately for a number of reasons it has been some years since we have played live, but for me our first local gig back when we first started will always be a fond memory.

 

 

 

8.Do you have any touring or show plans for 2025?

 

As of yet no, because we want to concentrate on working on a new album, although we are talking more and more about starting to play live again, possibly by the end of this year. I think we all feel that the newer songs would work so well in the live setting.

 

 

 

9.The ep was released on 'Three Radials Media', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

 

This is our own label which we started so we can release any of our music, both Arendia and solo work, ourselves and have control over it. I have some ideas which I want to explore soon as does Mark and its just really handy to be able to do this ourselves.

 

 

10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and thrash metal?

 

The reaction to our latest EP has been fantastic and positive so we’re really pleased and excited going into the next release. I would say that this has been the best received release so far of ours and it has been great to hear that our music has been played in Mexico, the US, and much of Europe.

 

 

 

11.When can we expect another full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

 

I think realistically we are looking at between 18 months and 2 years for the next release. We want to take our time and let the ideas build and develop. Musically I think it will be more of the same and will carry on from the EP. There will always be those influences of Black metal, thrash, melody and atmosphere which we all enjoy. Another idea we have is to re-record an album of ours from a few years ago, “A Radial to the Sea” in the not too distant future

 

 

 

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?

 

We’re all listening to different stuff but mostly metal. Simon our drummer has been listening to Trna, Blackbraid (one of my current favourites), Mogwai, Gento, Cryptopsy and Blood Incantation. Mark, our guitarist Insomnium’s epic Winters Gate along with Maiden’s A Matter of life and Death. Myself, Bathory and Darkthrone as always alongside Fen, Wayfairer, Suldusk’s beautiful debut Lunar Falls when I want something a bit more chilled out and a current favourite is Rotting Christ’s live album 35  Years of Evil Existence.

 

 

 

 

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

 

Thanks very much for the interview and support. You can find our music on all the major streaming services. Once again thanks and cheers!

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