HEATHER WASTELAND: 3-bass Heretical Folk Art created by Cimmerian metalheads in neo-medieval way

- Tell us about Your band. How did it appear, what compositions do You consider as the best of Yours?

- HEATHER WASTELAND was founded in the spring of 2001. The group’s distinctive features were the two-bass line-up with a drummer, as well as an intended refuse to use guitars. HEATHER WASTELAND existed until the spring of 2002, having managed to play only two gigs. In October of 2014, the band was reunited with our original line-up, but we also added a third bassist.
All parts of string, wind and keyboard instruments are played using a 6-string bass with Roland GK-3B midi pick-up through Roland GR-55 guitar synth.

We describe our music as 3-bass Heretical Folk Art created by Cimmerian metalheads in neo-medieval way. The debut EP “Under The Red Wolfish Moon” presents our instrumental compositions: https://heatherwasteland.bandcamp.com/album/under-the-red-wolfish-moon

It’s difficult to say which tracks are the best, but I can affirm that all them definitely differ from each other, and have their own mood.
“Tre Sverd” has slight touches of Nordic ambience mixed with rough distorted bass parts. This track is dedicated to the famous battle of Hafrsfjord. Therefore, we hope our listeners would feel in the sound, how the blood-red waves of Hafrsfjord lap against the sides of the dragon ships after the most outrageous red battle asea, and imagine how the sea foam shows Úlfhéðnars’ faces.

“Under The Red Wolfish Moon” is a kind of expressive medieval anthem dedicated to werewolves, Battle Magick and the cult of wolves in pre-christian European traditions.

“Venice” is the most lyrical track in the album. It is like a way to glorify the pearl born from the sea, and destined to perish.
“Beltane (Intro) / Wicker Man” deals with Fire Magick, and the title speaks for itself. The solo bass intro in the neoclassic vein is a bridge to the most expressive composition. Try to listen to it and see with your mind eye, what we tried to express!

- What collaborations with other musicians did You have?

In the spring of 2016, HEATHER WASTELAND recorded a neo-medieval cover of the song “Personal Energy” for the official international tribute-CD of PESTILENCE (the Netherlands, jazz/death metal). A chorus of growling trolls was recorded by Andrey “Ind” Merzlyakov (GRENOUER, TARTHARIA): https://heatherwasteland.bandcamp.com/track/personal-energy-pestilence-cover
Our CD digipak design includes Giordano Bruno Folin’s liner-notes and his photograph taken in Venice. Giordano B. Folin is also known as Lord of Agony (ex-vocal/keyboards) of the cult atmospheric black metal band EVOL (Italy). It was the great honour for us to cooperate with him contributing for our debut in this way. We hope that our cooperation will continue in the nearest future with a photo project dedicated to Venice. I like Giordano’s photographic Art and would like to introduce it to Your readers:  https://instagram.com/malerba So, follow his Instagram, and support the true Artist!

- What Lithuanian musicians do You know?

DONIS, KŪLGRINDA, LAUXNA LAUKSNA, NOTANGA, OBTEST. I haven’t personally/virtually acquainted with any of them yet, but I’ve got some CD’s of several bands from this list. I’d spent almost 10 years trying to find and buy NOTANGA’s CD-R-album “Laukti Liko Nebedaug”, and finally I’d got it! It’s a very important release in the list of my personal preferences. The best item in the area of danceable cyber folklore with heavy guitar riffing! I tried to buy it directly from the band’s label Dangus (some of these guys were involved to NOTANGA), but they failed to help me because the album was sold out.

- What about the music scenes in Your country? Are they prosperous?

- We are an international project, so this question disarms me! So, I would tell You some words about local scene of our native city, or even region, but if we are talking about pagan and folk scene, I should admit the sad fact that pagan/folk scene of the Crimea is not prosperous at all. From my personal point, the most important band of the Crimea was IVAN KUPALA (Sevastopol, pagan/folk hard rock with a folk choir and lyrics in Ancient Slavonic language), it was founded in 1992 or 1993, recorded an album and a couple of demos, and broke up in the end of the 90’s. It was a great band, but their recordings are almost impossible to find now. Please, don’t mix it up with IVAN KUPALA (traditional Russian folk songs mixed with electronic sounds in the vein of world music) from Saint Petersburg. There’s no connection between these two bands, but the same name.

- What are Your biggest influences?

- EVOL, CRUACHAN, early IN THE WOODS, BATHORY (of Viking period), BURZUM (of ambient period), and maybe old SKYCLAD were sources of my inspiration, and the band concept was influenced by ANCIENT RITES. At the same time, I listen to a lot of different music. I don’t think it influences me. It’s better say it inspires to look for own way and it provokes to make something in own manner. And I should say: no double bass bands were taken as an example or a source of inspiration for our band, although I like very much NECROMANTIA and CANTATA SANGUI.

- Are You working on a new album?

- Yes. At the moment (November, 2016), the majority of instrumental parts are already recorded and we are busy with mixing process. We’ve already started collaboration with musicians from Argentina, Chili, Ireland, the Netherlands, Ukraine, and U.S.A. Right now I won’t list any names till the moment they finish their part of our joint creative process. I’m a little bit superstitious, so I’d rather prefer presenting our modest but important results, instead of chattering about our great, but vain plans. I just tell Your readers that some of the musicians have iconic status in their styles, and we appreciate their support! So, follow our news at

https://heatherwasteland.bandcamp.com
https://facebook.com/heather.wasteland
https://instagram.com/heather.wasteland
https://vk.com/heather_wasteland
https://twitter.com/heatherwastela1

Thank You. Good luck.