I started Welkin in the autumn of 2017. Prior to that, I had gotten into black metal fairly recently and was immediately drawn in by the bleak atmospheres, emotive guitar work, and intense drum playing. Welkin was formed out of a deep desire to bring out the atmospheres and emotions that the bands I had been listening to had did for me while also injecting my own style.
2. So far you have released a demo and a split, musically how do they both differ from each other?
I would say that the demo was a more “down-to-earth” release than the split. In the sense that the themes covered in the demo and the overall atmosphere were about evoking feelings of melancholy and then triumph (in the later part of the demo). On the other hand, I had intended something more “grand” for the songs on the split. I went forward with the same tinge of melancholy from the demo but also added in elements that were aimed at painting images of grand, dark, forest landscapes in the listener’s mind To bring forth a sense of grandeur, similar to what you would get in an Emperor, Odium, or Alghazanth record.
Musically, the songs on the split are generally longer than those on the demo to really create an epic feel it and features more intense tremolo-picked chords. The drum parts on the split are also far superior than those of its predecessor.
3. Your lyrics cover some nature, philosophical, anti-Christian, pagan and occult topics, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these subjects?
My interest in some of these topics started before I got into Black Metal, and some after I did.
Most of my life I have been staunchly against Christianity and other forms of mass religion. To me, religion is just a way of controlling the blind and ignorant. A toxic mass that should be eradicated.
Philosophically speaking, I subscribe to the ideas of existentialism and nihilism, as one can tell from the lyrical content of the band. I guess my interest in these subjects developed naturally over the years due to a lack of an answer to what my purpose in life is. I then came to the conclusion that there is no objective meaning, I have to find my own subjective meaning. I use Black Metal as tool for expressing these ideas.
After getting into Black Metal, my interest in topics such as paganism, the occult, and nature was piqued. I was fascinated by how many bands were able to encapsulate the essence of nature in their music and how spiritual it all seemed.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Welkin'?
Welkin refers to the sky or the firmament. I took the name from the Emperor record ‘Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk’. When I look at the sky, I feel a sense of majesty similar to what I would get while listening to Black Metal, so I thought the name would be appropriate as a representation of my own music.
5. I have noticed you use the name 'Hasthur', is that related to 'World Of Warcraft'?
Nope, the name is based on one of the cosmic beings in the C’thullu mythos, Hastur, also known as ‘The King In Yellow’.
6. With this project you record everything by yourself but also play in an actual band, how would you compare the 2?
The two bands are extremely different, from how they operate to the music they play. Welkin plays a more traditional, old-school, form of Black Metal rooted in the sounds of Finnish Black Metal and 90’s Norwegian Black Metal. On the other hand, Golgotha plays Black / Death Metal, largely influenced by Blasphemy, Archgoat, Beherit, Revenge, Sadomator and other such bands.
In Welkin, all music is written by me. In Golgotha, most of the music is written by Nuclear H. Butcherer and N. Maniak.
7. Recently you were a part of a split with 'Nuurisk’, and ‘Luna Azure’, what are your thoughts on the other bands that had participated on the recordings?
Luna Azure has been a long-time part of the Singahell Black Metal scene, much longer than both Welkin and Nuurisk who were formed fairly recently. The music is very original, unique, and Voices certainly shows a mastery over atmosphere.
Nuurisk is a newer band but has put out quite a few releases already, all of which are definitely worthwhile listens for fans of DSBM or those who enjoy a more emotional, cathartic, form of Black Metal.
8. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
I have not received any interest from any labels so far, neither am I looking for a label at the moment. But I might try to find a label to release my upcoming EP.
9. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
Mostly, reception has been good especially here in Singahell.
10. What is going on with 'Golgotha' these days?
Recently we opened for Varathron when they came here in April, after which we decided to take a break to focus on our other projects. We will likely resume activity soon.
11. When can we expect a full length and also where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?
I’m not sure when I’ll be writing a full-length release but hopefully soon. First, I’d need to find an interesting concept for the album and that usually takes a lot of time.
Only the future will reveal where this path leads.
12. 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?
Darkthrone, Burzum, Mayhem, Emperor, Windir, Immortal, Black Funeral, Bathory, Dissection, Bornholm, Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult, Darkenhold, Draconis Infernum, Infernal Execrator, Forteresse, Holyarrow, Nokturnal Mortum, Pure Wrath, Odium, Saor, Thrawsunblat, Warwulf, Alghazanth, Satanic Warmaster, Behexen, Beherit, Morok, Severoth, Inquisition, Forest, Warmoon Lord, Dark Forest and Woods of Ypres to name some.
Right now I’m listening to bands like Forlor, Hammer, Norns and Mooncitadel. Basically, more obscure Finnish bands.
13. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank you for the chance to participate in this interview!
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