Saille

Saille is a Belgian symphonic black metal group from Ghent, active since 2008. The band is founded by Dries Gaerdelen on keyboards, with the aim of creating melodic black metal with a threatening atmosphere, drawing on the style of bands such as Tartaros, Limbonic Art and Keep of Kalessin.

Formation and early line-up

Gaerdelen’s collaboration with Jonathan Vanderwal on guitars and vocals grows out of their long-standing work together in the band Mortifer. Filip Dupont of Gorath contributes to lyric writing and vocals, and Gert Monden of In-Quest joins on drums soon after, allowing the songs to develop further.

The band begins as a studio project, but later expands into a live act. Didier Vancampo joins on bass for performances, and Reinier Schenk of Fleshmould becomes a member during the recording of the debut album. The listed members are Reinier Schenk and Didier Vancampo.

Debut album: Irreversible Decay

Recording for the first album, Irreversible Decay, starts at the end of 2009 at Shumcot Studio. The sessions continue over several months, partly because of the addition of classically trained guest musicians. The album is completed in September 2010 and released by Code666 Records in 2011.

After the release, Saille plays live shows with acts including Melechesh, Izegrim and Gorath. The run of performances for the first album ends with an appearance at Graspop Metal Meeting 2012, followed later that year by a slot at Eindhoven Metal Meeting in the Netherlands.

Second album: Ritu

In July 2012, the band returns to Shumcot Studio to record its second album, Ritu. The record draws on death rites in ancient cultures, and Dennie Grondelaers’ interest in H.P. Lovecraft and Cthulhu gives it a darker setting. As with the debut, the band uses classical guest musicians to add orchestration and unusual instruments, including flugelhorn, cello, violin, theremin, tuba and trombone.

The album is mixed after two months of recording and then mastered by Tom Kvålsvoll of Strype Audio, who is known for work on releases by Mayhem, Emperor, Arcturus, Limbonic Art, Ulver and Vreid. Ritu is released in 2013.

Live activity

To support Ritu, Saille tours with Transylvanian black metal band Negura Bunget in January 2013.