Bilwis Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the solo project since the recording of the new album?

When you finished a record with a good feeling, than a lot of stones fall from your heart. I work from february till december on the tracks. From september on each day. There is a lot of stuff during beside the record and mixing. Like, title, photo shooting, credits, artwork, promo and so on .But when you the master tot he label and the promo begin and you get good feedbacks, it feels really good and was worth the work.

 

2.You have a new album coming out in April, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

When i start with the songwriting für „Hameln“ i feel, that it goes more in the direction oft he „Sagenwelt“ EP. On „Pan“ was a lot of melodic stuff, but this time the songs earn more a darker and deeper atmosphere. I don't plan a direction when i write songs. It is a developing thing.

 3.Your lyrics cover European Fairy Tales and Myths, which stories did you  cover with the new release?

The Title track „Hameln“ is on of he most popular Myth and legend oft he world. Ist a really dark story. And so it lay on the hand, to write over the „Rattenfänger“. Julian Bauer did an incredible artwork which fits perfectly tot he new record. The other songs deals about death, the famous dwarfs of cologne, some giants, will- o- the wisps and a legend from the north sea.

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

Like i say, Torsten from Northern Silence suggest me Julian Bauer for he new artwork. I must confess that i don't know him before. So i take a look on his page. There where so fantastic artworks, that it was clear form e, that this will be work out for sure. When i saw the first drafts i was blown away. And the finally artwork speak for itself.

 5.A lot of your music has more of an old school style, do you prefer the older bands of the genre to the newer bands?

Sure, i grew up with a lot of old school BM, but i listen to new stuff too. I think that it doesn`t play a role to which bands i listen when i write new songs. It just came from my hands and i knew really fast if it fits for Bilwis or not.

 6.With this project you record everything by yourself but have experience working with musicians in other bands, do you prefer to work solo?

Booth. Since my youth i play in bands with friends and other musicians. I like touring and reharsing.

Still nowadays. But on the other hand, i love to have the freedom with Bilwis to do  whatever i like. There is no one else who must approve my songs, i dont must discuss or something like that. I can work whenever i want. Pick up the title, artwork , riffs or guitar solos. If you ask me, ist luxury.

7.The last 2 albums where released on 'Northern Silence Productions'. are you happy with the support that they have given your so far?

NS is like a win in a lottery for me. When they ask  to sign me, i was freaking out at home. Sure, i know them before and i order records there. Believe me, i work together with a lot of labels. And „Hameln“ is my third record on NS. I never have trouble with them. It is so relax to work with them. Last year i meet the whole crew in person and believe me, all the people are so humble and nice. Unfortunately, they live near 600 kilometers away from y hometown. There is no other label form e than NS.

 

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

Awesome!!! I got reaction from all over the world. I really appreciate that. This is the reasons to go on with the music. And it proves again: there are no boundaries with music and metal connects the people together.

 

  9.Where do you yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

My goal is to go on with Bilwis, make good records and writing good songs. I hope i can go on stage someday with this projects. We will see what the future will bring.

 10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that you are currently listening tp nowadays?

I'm really open minded for new music. I love to discover new bands, but i must be honest, most oft he time i listen tot he „classic“ or older stuff. It doesn't matter if it is death, black or whatever metal.

Dissection, Emperor, Satyricon, Marduk,Caladan Brood, Troll and so many more.

 

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

Thank you for pushing Bilwis and keep up the good work. Thank you to all the metal heads out there. You keep this thing alive. Listen to my new record and all the other bands out there.

Bandcamp – https://bilwis.bandcamp.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Bilwis/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/bilwissagenwelt/

Bilwis/Hameln/Northern Silence Productions/2024 Full length Review

 

  Bilwis  are  a  solo  project  from  Germany  that  plays  a  very  atmospheric  and  melodic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is   a  review  of  his  2024  album  "Hameln"  which  will  be  released  in  April  by  Northern  Silence  Productions.

 Dark  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  growls a re  also  utilized  at  times  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  The  songs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  old  school  influences  while  the  music  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  clean  playing  and  acoustic  guitars  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  album  as  well  as  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly.

  Bilwis  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  atmospheric  and  melodic  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  German  and  cover  Old  European  Fairy  Tales  and  Myths.

  In  my  opinion  Bilwis  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  and  melodic  black  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  REECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Ein  Licht  dort  in  der  Nacht"  "Gas  Gold  in  unserer  Hand"  and  "Schicksalsberg".  8  out  of  10.

  Bandcamp – https://bilwis.bandcamp.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Bilwis/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/bilwissagenwelt/