Heidevolk

Heidevolk
Heidevolk at Burgfolk Festival 2013
Background information
Origin	Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands
Genres	Folk metal, Viking metal, Pagan metal
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Napalm Records
Associated acts	Arkona Thronar Slechtvalk Týr
Website	http://www.heidevolk.com/
Members	Reamon Bomenbreker Rowan Roodbaert Mark Splintervuyscht Joost den Vellenknotscher
Past members	Joris Boghtdrincker Jesse Vuerbaert Niels Beenkerver Paul Braadvraat Stefanie Speervrouw

Heidevolk is a pagan folk metal band from the Netherlands. The lyrical themes of their music are inspired by nature, the history of Gelderland, and the history of Germanic mythology. Most of their lyrics are in Dutch; however, since their album Velua they also have one original English song, ″Vinland″, and several English covers.

History

Heidevolk performing at the 2007 Ragnarök Festival

Heidevolk was founded under the name Hymir in 2002 by six men. The name was changed to Heidevolk (Dutch for "heath-folk" or "heather folk") inspired by the Veluwe landscape. In contrast to popular belief, in the Dutch Language their name cannot be translated to 'Pagan Folk'. Pagan is translated to Dutch as "heiden". The band started performing live in 2003. Since then the band has released one demo, five full-length studio albums, and one EP.

Their third album, Uit oude grond, (Dutch for "From old ground"), was released to generally positive critical acclaim, with one writer calling the album "A hugely enjoyable release combining aggressive metallic riffage with tastefully-entwined traditional folk instrumentation and melody".^[1]

Collaborations

Vocalists Mark Bockting and Joris Boghtdrincker have contributed vocals to the Arkona song titled "Na Moey Zemle" (На моей земле) (In my Land). This track also features vocalists from Månegarm of Sweden, Obtest of Lithuania, Menhir of Germany, and Skyforger of Latvia.^[2] Each sings in their native language, playing the role of warriors from that region describing their homeland to a traveler.

Discography

• De strijdlust is geboren (full-length, 2005)
• Wodan heerst (EP, 2007)
• Walhalla wacht (full-length, 2008)
• Uit oude grond (full-length, 2010)
• Batavi (full-length, 2012)^[3]
• Velua (full-length, 2015)

Music videos

• "Nehalennia" (2010)
• "Als de dood weer naar ons lacht" (2012)
• "Urth" (2015)
• "Winter woede" (2015)

Line-up

Current members^[4]

• Lars Vogel (Lars Nachtbraeker)- vocals (2013 - present)
• Kevin Vruchtbaert - guitar (2011 – present)
• Rowan Middelwijk (Rowan Roodbaert) – bass guitar (2006 – present)
• Joost Westdijk (Joost den Vellenknotscher) – drums (2002 – present)

Former members

• Joris Boghtdrincker – vocals (2002–2013)
• Jesse Vuerbaert (Ohtar) – vocals (2002–2005)
• Niels Beenkerver – Guitar (2002–2005)
• Paul Braadvraat – bass guitar (2002–2006)
• Sebas van Eldik (Sebas Bloeddorst) – guitar (2002–2011)
• Reamon Bomenbreker – guitar (2005-2015)
• Mark Splintervuyscht – vocals (2005-2015)
• Stefanie Speervrouw – violin (2007–2008)

Timeline

References

1. Uit Oude Grond review on OneMetal.com
2. Eck, Markus (2009). "Arkona - Goi Rode Goi". Sonic Seducer (in German). No. 11.
3. Heidevolk "Batavi" Release Date: 02 Mar 2012 / 06 Mar 2012 (US) napalmrecords.com. Retrieved on 11 January 2012.
4. Heidevolk band member info @ Official site