Freya

Freya is a hardcore punk and metalcore group from Syracuse, United States, active since 2001. The band forms around members associated with Earth Crisis and works in a style that mixes aggressive hardcore with melody.

Style and themes

Freya’s songs are compact and often use imagery drawn from Norse mythology to tell personal stories. The group is described as combining metallic hardcore with a more melodic approach, and later material also appears in split releases and anti-vivisection themes.

Line-up

The band includes Karl Buechner on vocals and Erick Edwards on lead guitar. Other members listed include Bulldog on rhythm guitar, Ethan D. Henry on bass, Dennis Merrick on drums, and in later line-ups Dirk Verbeuren, Brendon Flynn, Corey Koniz, Tony Tornabene, Bill Bodily, Jonathan Dennison and Ian Edwards.

Releases and activity

Freya’s debut album, As The Last Light Drainss, appears in 2003. It is followed by a split CD with California band Hoods and by Lift the Curse, which is mentioned as the next album after that release. The title track from the debut album receives airplay on MTV2’s Headbangers Ball.

Touring and recognition

The band tours widely in the United States and also plays in Europe, Japan and South America. It shares bills with acts including Hatebreed, Crowbar, Nonpoint and Andrew W.K., and appears at Hellfest, the Annual Syracuse New Year’s Day Festival and Bonefest. Freya also receives coverage and positive reviews from Kerrang, Decibel, AMP Magazine and Metal Hammer, and gains wider visibility through MTV programmes such as Road Rules, Room Raiders and Headbangers Ball.

Background

Freya forms from ex-members of Earth Crisis, a band said to have sold more than 300,000 albums worldwide during a ten-year run. The group records and performs as part of the US hardcore punk and metalcore scene, with a continuing presence since 2001.