Wodensthrone

Wodensthrone is a black metal group from Sunderland, active from 2005 to 2016. The band comes from north-eastern England and is associated with atmospheric black metal and pagan black metal, with a strong pagan and historical focus in its subject matter.

History

The group forms in 2005 with founding members Brunwulf, Wildeþrýð, Gerádwine and Hréowsian. Early material has a raw, primitive sound, but also shows an interest in sorrowful themes and the darker aspects of England’s history. In 2006, Æðelwalh joins on synths, and the band develops a more technical and melodic style. Eldbeorn then joins on guitar later that year, completing a line-up that develops the band’s twin-guitar approach. Rædwalh of That Hideous Strength later replaces Eldbeorn on guitar.

After live performances and early recordings, the band self-records ‘A Tribute To Our Glorious Dead’ for a split 7-inch with Niroth. It also records ‘Scinlaeca’ and ‘These Isolated Lands’, which later appear on the split CD Over The Binding Of The Waves with Folkvang of Belarus on Ancient Nation Records. In 2007, Wodensthrone records ‘The Scouring’ and continues work on the Folkvang split. Later that year it appears live with Negura Bunget and Fen in north-eastern England, then confirms an alliance with Bindrune Recordings and begins work on its debut album.

Loss

The band records its debut album, Loss, at Negura Studios in Timișoara, Romania, during a two-week session in 2008. Huppogramos and Arioch oversee the studio work, and Huppogramos handles the final mastering in early 2009. The album presents a long-developed statement of the band’s black metal style and its interest in Old Albion and Britain’s heathen past.

Line-up and later activity

After returning from Romania, Æðelwalh leaves the band because of personal differences and distance from the north-east of England. Árfæst is later announced as the synth player. Wodensthrone remains active until 2016.