From a cold and swampy nightmare this Dutch Black Metal band raises, bringing a black flame of destruction and desolation… Their demo debut “Moerasghesomp” is an fascinating travel to the depths of Hell, basing their music in ancient pagan belief and early 90’s Black Metal savagery; they reach a quite unique and remarkable sound… Black Metal fans, be aware… The night of Walpurgis has arrived…

BB: First I would like to thank you for giving us this interview… Can you tell us about Walpurgisnacht beginnings? …I understand you have been active as a band (under different names) since ’96…

Heer Halewyn (guitar): In the beginning Houtekiet, Marchosias, and I came together with some other guys to play a number of songs from other black metal bands. Later Marchosias wrote some songs, but he got involved in other bands and so our band never really became serious. Then Houtekiet started writing songs and in 2002 he had enough material to resurrect Walpurgisnacht. Mor de Naere (vocals) and Malcus (bass) joined soon after.

BB: I was reading about the origin of the name Walpurgisnacht and I was really surprised when I read Walpurgis was a Christian saint; an English religious woman who lived in the VIII century… and due pagan reminiscences the festivity of Saint Walpurgis took an entire new meaning and become the witches Sabbath…Why you choose this name? What it means to you?

HH: Walpurgis was indeed a missionary, stationed in what we now call Germany. The Christians named April 30 the day of Saint Walpurgis. But for the pagans the following night, May Eve, already had a special meaning. It was the beginning of spring, the reawakening of nature, and in that night magic was strong. It is unclear how it became known as Walpurgisnacht but in arts and literature, for example Goethe’s Faust, the Walpurgisnacht is associated with the activities of supernatural beings. Therefore the name fits perfectly within the concept of our lyrics, which are about the folkloric tales of the region where we come from. They tell of creatures like gnomes and goblins dwelling in the moors and woods, spirits of the dead floating through the swamps, and witches practicing their secret rituals. The contrast of the words Walpurgis and nacht (night) also symbolizes the two faces of nature, beautiful and perilous.

BB: I have read some great critics about “Moerasghesomp”…Are you satisfied with this reception? Why you decide to release it as a promotional demo only?

HH: The number of good reviews was very satisfying, especially for a rehearsal demo. But our intention from the beginning has been to record an album with a more professional sound quality. Now finally our debut album will be released and we are looking forward to the reviews.

BB: Can you tell us about the recording process of “Moerasghesomp”? Although is a rehearsal it has a pretty good sound…

HH: “Moerasghesomp” was recorded quite primitively, since it was initially not supposed to be used as a demo. We placed a microphone in the middle of the rehearsal room and recorded everything on one track of a portable recording unit. Houtekiet removed the stuff between the songs, then he did some simple mastering, and that’s it. We were surprised by the sound quality and therefore decided to release it as a demo.

BB: What the lyrics talk about? Please tell to the bunch of people who doesn’t speak Dutch… including me.

HH: The main subject of our lyrics is the “Peel”, a once vast area of swamps here in the southeast of the Netherlands. We write about the history and legends of this area and about our personal connection with what is left of its nature. It would be impossible to express the same feelings in any other language than our own. It will also be difficult to translate the lyrics because they are written in the form of poems. Too much will be lost after translation.

BB: I understand you took the inspiration from a swampy area near your home-place. I guess this place must be full of history and legends… What’s the most interesting or curious tale you have heard of this place?

HH: There is a legend of a knight who came this way a long time ago, leading a gang of robbers. With primitive weapons, such as sticks and shovels, the peasants attacked and slaughtered the robbers. Only the knight and his shield-bearer escaped, but they were driven into the swamp and were never seen alive again. It is told that they drowned and that their spirits are doomed to wander there until the gold sword of the knight is found. On stormy nights you may hear the knight cry for help, but this is only to lure you into the swamp. If a person mysteriously disappeared there, people used to say that the knight had taken revenge. Our song “Vanden Doolenden Ridder” (“Of the Errant Knight”) is about this legend. In 1910 a local peat-cutter found a Roman centurion’s helmet buried in the peat. So it was thought that the knight from the legend was a centurion. Recently, however, archaeologists proved that the swamp was not deep enough to drown in when the Romans were here. They now think that the helmet was an offering to a Germanic god. But either way a centurion was probably killed and robbed of his helmet.

BB: Musically you seem to be very influenced by the early 90’s Norwegian Black Metal scene… What band (or bands) defined your intention of making music?

HH: The inspiration for our music comes from within us. The initial riffs and song structures evolve in the mind of Houtekiet. Then the other members bring in their own ideas. We don’t try to sound like other bands, but of course we may be influenced by them. I think that our songs show rather diverse influences. There are for example similarities with the early Gorgoroth but also with Dissection.

BB: What about your live shows? You have played with some great bands such Negura Bunget, Cirith Gorgor and Kampfar… How has been the audience’s reception?

HH: We’ve had lots of positive reactions from the audience, but sometimes the sound quality was bad and people were less enthusiastic. Fortunately most people understand that this is not our fault. In general, we have made a good impression, especially on the small tour with Kampfar. We believe that the upcoming album will convince even more people.

BB: What’s your opinion of today’s Dutch Black Metal scene? I have heard very good bands form there… What new underground band can you recommend us?

HH: There are some great bands in the Dutch underground. I would recommend Cirith Gorgor and Fluisterwoud, who are quite well known already, Urfaust, which is also gaining a strong reputation. Besides black metal, you should check out Zwartketterij (necröthrash), Grimm (pagan folk metal), and Gramschap (atmospheric synth music).

BB: What’s your opinion about the rising National Socialist Black Metal scene? …Have you, as Walpurgisnacht, some special ideology or belief?

HH: Walpurgisnacht has nothing to do with NSBM or politics whatsoever. The only belief that we express with our music and lyrics is the belief in the power of nature.

BB: Can you tell us about your forthcoming album? Can we expect more compositions in the vein of “Moerasghesomp”?

HH: The album will be released in December. It contains an intro, four songs from “Moerasghesomp”, and five new songs. People who liked our demo will definitely be amazed by this album. The old songs got more refined and the new songs are at least as good as the old ones. The album will also have a much heavier impact because of the better sound quality, but it is still very raw and atmospheric.

BB: How you get involved with Folter Records? …Do you contacted them directly or you send several promo-demos to various record labels?

HH: In 2004 we made a promo-cd, which Houtekiet sent to various labels. Most of them liked our music, but didn’t know when they would have enough money to release a new album. Jörg from Folter Records immediately made it clear that he wanted to wait till after the “Under the Black Sun” festival, when he could afford a new release. He stayed in touch with Houtekiet and in August we went into the studio.

BB: “Moerasghesomp” is completely sold out… is there any chance of re-release this work under Folter Records?

HH: It is being re-released on tape by Lafawijn Records. You can find a link to them on our website (see below).

BB: What are you future plans with Walpurgisnacht?

HH: There are some gigs planned for 2006 already. More will follow. Of course we are also working on material for a second album.

BB: Thanks again for your words… Is there anything else you want to add to this interview?

HH: Greetings and thanks for the interview. Anyone who is interested in Walpurgisnacht should check out our website (www.walpurgisnacht.nl). Hopefully we’ll see you on tour some time, somewhere. Keep the underground spirit alive!