Hulder Interview

Hulder is a band born in the United States, but it has a European heart because the main composer of the albums and the band comes from Belgium. This helps to understand why this band is strongly influenced by the Scandinavian scene with many Swedish and Norwegian flavors and quite symphonic influences, but without overshadowing its Black Metal essence. So, my ignorance of the band was present until 2023, when I was able to see them at the Candelabrum Metal Fest II, where they gave a good presentation in line with the image that the band proclaims. So a few months after that presentation, I have their second full-length “Verses in Oath” in my ears.

Para leer la entrevista en español: Entrevista a Hulder

Metallerium: Welcome to Metallerium website. Thank you very much for taking the time for this interview! First of all, How are you?

Hulder: We are a few weeks off from The Decibel Magazine Tour and things are going well. I am pleased to be back just in time for the abundance of springtime offerings, and back in the solitude of my studio.

Metallerium: Congratulations on the release of your new album "Verses in Oath." How do you feel about the reception it's been receiving so far?

Hulder: From what I have seen it seems to be well received. I noticed quite a bit of familiarity when presenting a few of the new tracks in a live setting on this past Decibel tour, which was wild to me, considering “Verses…” had only been out a few weeks. Having 20 Buck Spin at the helm has been great. This is the first record with proper global distribution and it’s been a totally different experience so far.

Metallerium: "Verses in Oath" showcases a cohesive soundscape with diverse elements. Compared to your previous work, how did you deliberately refine your sound while maintaining its core identity? What artistic choices contributed to achieving this balance? Also, Can you tell us about the creative process behind this album and how it differs from your previous releases?

Hulder: “Verses in Oath” was intended to be a progression artistically. I wanted to grow upon what I had already created while keeping the essence of Hulder intact. I have no interest in reinventing the wheel but at the same time, writing the same album over and over is also something that doesn’t make any sense to me. When it came time to start writing the material that would become “Verses…”, it felt right to include some more emphasis on keys/atmosphere and I was pleased with the way Ahti K translated my vision in the mixing process. This record was the first release that I handed over for remote mixing and that was a big change. Normally, I am in the room with CK while things are mixed but seeing as how the last releases all had that mark, a change felt necessary in order to keep things feeling interesting. 

Metallerium: The symphonic aspects of "Verses in Oath" add a delicate yet consuming layer to the music. How did you incorporate these elements into your compositions, and what effect were you aiming for?

Hulder: The aim was to build upon the last album and MLP by adding an element of immersion. The keys and backing vocals seemed like a natural progression. I didn’t want to dominate the strings with keys as I always find that to be overpowering. Riffs and melodies should be at the forefront of black metal in my opinion.  

Metallerium: The album seems to tell a compelling story across tracks. Was this a pre-determined narrative arc? ¿Can you elaborate on the thematic journey listeners experience throughout “Verses in Oath”?

Hulder: There is no predetermined narrative. That being said, a lot of my work tends to reveal its intention after the fact. In the case of “Verses..” the songwriting process was a bit more spread out than usual but came together quite seamlessly once atmosphere and lyrical content were inserted. “Verses..” is the modern counterpart to “Godslastering..” lyrically. Focused on the harsh reality of parallels to a dark past, as well as a glimpse into the freedoms that a simplified and more intentional natural life offers. 

Metallerium: Your earlier work often featured folk influences, which are now seamlessly woven into the fabric of this album. ¿Can you talk about the evolution of these folk elements in your music?

Hulder: As I delve deeper into the more melodic side of things, these arrangements are simply what is summoned. I am a firm believer in ancestral knowledge, whether we are aware or not, having a grasp on the fabric of our being. Of course, the music I have exposed myself to throughout my life plays a small part, but nothing influences me as my natural surroundings do. The more I immerse myself in these practices, the more inspired I feel.

Metallerium: Verses in Oath boasts a richer soundscape compared to earlier releases. What were your production goals, and how did collaborating with Ahti Kortelainen (mixing/mastering) shape the final outcome?

Hulder: Working with Ahti was something that I had wanted to do for some time given his history and the sheer power that he was able to breathe into the early works of countless Finnish greats. His ear and taste for atmosphere proved to be exactly what I was looking for with this album. 

Metallerium: "Verses in Oath" marks a significant step forward. What's next for Hulder? Do you have upcoming projects, ambitions, ¿or musical directions you’d like to explore?

Hulder: Now that I have some time off from the road (until Europe in June/July), my plan is to write and see what the next record will hold. 

Metallerium: ¿How do you view the current state of the black metal scene? What excites you about the genre's evolution, and are there any trends you find concerning?

Hulder: There seem to be more and more black metal bands coming out of the woodwork in the underground at the moment. To be honest, I don’t spend much time searching for new bands that excite me as most of my time is spent listening to many of the same albums from 20 or more years ago. Of course, being somewhat forced into the current world of self-promotion and online bullshit, I am not completely ignorant of the seemingly endless amounts of “Solo Black Metal” projects that value quantity over quality... I will never understand deliberately making your recordings sound as shitty as possible or mimicking a beat-up 4 track with plugins.