Yfel interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

We're a black metal band from Columbus, Ohio that started in 2021. Musically, we try to push into the atmospheric direction, but meshing five people with different backgrounds musically, we end up getting a touch of prog and death with melodic and dissonant elements bleeding through. We're huge fans of bands who have used medieval concepts and ideas to incorporate into what they do and we try to do exactly that applied to our own style. Thematically, we tend to focus on the issues affecting the Midwest and Appalachian regions, which is where collectively we're all from.

2.So far you have released an ep and full length, musically how do they both differ from each other?

The EP largely is a snapshot of us feeling out what it is we wanted to do, whereas Beneath the Mountain's Vigil reflects what we want to do now and going forward, at least for the present moment. We also self-produced every single bit of the EP and for the album, we got the help of Spenser Morris for the mixing and mastering side. We have been huge fans of his from his work with Panopticon, Ethereal Shroud, and Saor so we feel privileged to have worked with him on this release.

3.A lot of your lyrics cover Appalachian and Celtic Folklore, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics and also how do you feel both of these cultures differ?

Most of us grew up in Appalachia or have family still living there. Residing in Columbus for so long, most of us have experienced the absence that has made the heart grow fonder in respect to that area.

Having a general fascination for different folklore from all different kinds of cultures, it made a lot of sense to blend the Celtic and Welsh folklore with the stories we're trying to tell as those originated from many of the cultures that ended up migrating and living in Appalachia.

4.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

Our EP has quite an array of material we pulled from, like betrayal for personal gain, reliance on local crops before industrialization, and just the overall human condition from the past to present.

In contrast, the new album tends to hit on a recurring theme which is the effect that coal companies have on the area and people who have inherited the unfortunate plight of being in the path of those companies' capitalistic goals. We hadn't intended to hit on the same subject when we started creating these songs, but there's just such a wealth of different issues created by the coal companies, the lyrics ended up kind of writing themselves. We also punctuate the album with folklore surrounding the moon-eyed people, which is a peculiar but interesting tale surrounding a group of people mentioned throughout Appalachia history.

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

Among the many similar definitions you might find of that word, one of our favorites is "a state or condition of being wicked", which largely represents a lot of what we're trying to highlight that's happening in the world we currently find ourselves in.

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

We were extremely happy to come across this one. It's a piece by Alexander Helwig Wyant simply called, "Tennessee". The emotions we immediately felt when we first set eyes on it felt much like the emotions we were trying to conjure with our music. A beautiful landscape of Appalachian nature in a state of tranquility with notes of gloom hanging above it all and beyond in the distance.

7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

A fortuitous segue from the art, I would say our best show has been traveling to Knoxville, TN and playing with one of my favorite bands of early adulthood, Withered. Shows away from home typically are always an enjoyable time, but the people we talked with, the culture we experienced, and the bands we played with all made that one extra special. We definitely hope to return to that area in the new year. It's truly a beautiful area.

8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?

We are kicking around the idea of a region run this spring, but nothing definitive yet. While we're working to make this a reality and the thought of meeting and connecting with our supporters across different cities is a driving force for us, the hard bit is getting a sizable chunk of time scheduled between five adults with all those outside responsibilities life brings us.

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of atmospheric black metal?

So far, it seems to be very positive. Each of the songs are similar yet have very different vibes from one another. Ultimately, we're going to keep doing what comes naturally while hoping there's at least something to be found across the album that really resonates with the listener.

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

We've already begun the process of writing newer material and largely, it's building upon what we've done with the album while exploring some new ideas musically. Lyrically, we've got some ideas but nothing definitive in place. We'd like to continue to tackle the issues facing our region. With disparities in education, lack of economic opportunity for the already impoverished, and the continued destruction of our world for currency, there's a huge pool to pull from.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Musically, I think it won't be a shock that bands like Winterfylleth, Bathory, and Windir had a huge influence of our music, but also are fans of bands like Panopticon, Bethlehem, Primeval Well, Starer, Nixil, and Thantifaxath, whether those appear in the music or simply inspire us to step outside of our own musical boxes. Most of us are also enamored by the synth world, from dungeon to comfy synth. Before we even begin to play live, the audience has already been hit with a dose of synth, lately being a song from the mighty Frog Concert, to help set the mood.

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

While we hope people enjoy the music, that the message we are trying to deliver might land with some of the listeners. While the content may seem to only affect those in the region, the concepts transcend beyond to issues that touch most of our lives living in the world we've inherited today. The same can be said about the timeline of these stories, Battle of Blair Mountain being a great example. While these past labor disputes and issues may seem to be old history, those stories couldn’t be more relevant right now.

All this ties into how excited we are to be working with Fiadh on this release. We could not have asked for a better label to work with and feel it’s the perfect partnership for what we’re trying to accomplish. Their work and charity make it an absolute honor to be releasing this album through them.

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