Uhl Interview

 

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

UHL is a black metal duet, born in Burgundy 18 years ago. We started to play with a shitty guitar and some cheap drums in a small kitchen. After all, we managed to release some demos on cassette and touring everywhere in Europe. Then we moved from the city to the alpine mountains and right now, we have a decent rehearsal place if that reassures you.

2.You released your last album in 2024, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

The second album is more precise and accurate. The songs have more melodies, are a bit longer and also better played. Everything is less wild, i must say, but for a harsher and somber atmosphere overall.

3.From 2019 to 2024 there was no music being released, can you tell us a little bit more about what was going on during that time frame?

We were supposed to tour in the balkans in 2020 but everything was cancelled due to the successive confinements. We decided to stop doing concerts from this days until the release of our second album. It took something like 4 years to create the songs and record them. That’s the simple explanation of this 5 years hiatus.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explored with the last album and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?

For this album, the lyrics revolve around the gods of thunder, nature, the fierce paths we walk through, wich will eventually reach a lustrous summit and better days, the blank hopes and the reborn of bravery.

Most of the texts come from the books i read. This album was especially influenced by Dante’s Divine Comedy, among others. And the long walks with my dog.

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

UHL has no real meaning. It was the name of a priest who was killed by a black metal fan in France many years ago. Choosing this name was more of a joke than anything else.

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

The artwork was made in one week by our friend Victor, who is a talented and too discreet drawer and tatoo artist. The multi armed giant it represents is a ferocious protector of the natural order in a cycle of illusions, affliction and loss. 

He represents the defender of the other worlds. He is where the thoughts should aim when oneself is drifting on the torrent of existences. He is the haven and the retreat.

7.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?

The band is and always will be a duet, which means every songs and lyrics will be written by us, nobody else. We added a bass player for the live shows some years ago.

8.Over the years you also been a part of a great amount of splits, can you tell us a little bit more about the bands or musical projects that you shared these recordings with?

Karcavul was a death metal trio, we used to tour with. It was a really good band and we had some amazing live shows and memories together. Goatvermin is a warmetal band from France too. We played a small tour with them and we had a commune show two years ago in Lyon. If you like fierce blast beat, vomit and gasmask, this band is for you. The other splits are not worth mentioning.

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

I don’t really know and i don’t really care what people thinks about UHL. If i must answer, it seems people likes the 2nd album and we are selling well with almost no promotion. Especially in the USA, which i don’t know why.

10.When can we expect newer music and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

We are having a second hiatus right now because a lot of things changed in our lives, for the better. So nothing new will come soon. But i’m still thinking about the third album, and i see something more condense and martial.

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

StarGazer, Drowned, Mournful Congregation, AnaVidovic… A lot of classical guitar, some clerical chants and medieval enlightment. 

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

Thank you for the questions and especially for your patience. 

https://uhluhluhl.bandcamp.com/album/habitant-des-temp-tes

Uhl/Habitant Des Tempêtes/2024 Full Length Review

 

    Uhl  are  a  duo  from  France  that  plays  a  very  raw  and  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2024  album  "Habitant  Des  Tempêtes".

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear a   good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  recording  also  adding  in a   good  amount  of  old  school  influences,  when  guitar  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  as  well  as  one  track  also  being  a  brief  instrumental.

  Uhl  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  raw  and  aggressive  in  the  classic  European  tradition.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  French  and  cover  nihilism,  skepticism  and  nature  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Uhl  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  old  school  black  metal  duo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "La  Foudre  Ente  Ses  Mains"  and  "Neuf  Nuits".  8  out  of  10.

  https://uhluhluhl.bandcamp.com/album/habitant-des-temp-tes