Eld Varg Track By Track Run Down of 'Destroyer'
Glasgow’s heavy metallers ELD VARG are set to drop their fiery new album, Destroyer, on Friday, 14th November. We exclusively spoke to ELD VARG frontman, Ollie Noakes and asked him to give us a unique run down of the tracks on the record:
"The album picks up right where our previous album, One Man Army, left off, exploring what comes after the battle is won. It was written during a period of uncertainty, and delves into moving through adversity, destroying the past, and moving forward with no clear path to follow. With layered meanings to each song coated in Viking imagery, the album builds upon the foundation of One Man Army, and forges a stronger sound and path for the band.
Achamán
This was one of the earliest tracks written for the album. It came together fairly quickly and was centred around the idea of mountain-like strength. The story was inspired by Guanche mythology from the Canary Islands, about a god that traps the sun inside El Teide, and the ensuing war. This song carries additional meaning within its layers and my personal connection to the Canary Islands. This song rightfully earned its spot as the album opener.
Destroyer
The track really pulled the whole album together, and told me “you have an album”. It came about during some downtime, and tells the story of an exiled figure returning to destroy their past. It’s heavy, anthemic and relentless. It’s a proper metal song, from its head banging riffs, heavy breakdown and progressively massive choruses. Destroyer very quickly became the obvious title track.
The Hell of Mirrors
Also written during some downtime, the intro bass and stabs wouldn’t leave my head, and I knew it had potential to be something album worthy. It’s inspired by the Edogawa Ranpo story of the same name, and is a slow building journey through obsession and madness. The laid back groove gives space for the bass and vocals to lead the way, until the middle section where the madness unfurls. This song has quickly become a fan favourite.
Black Starlight
The main riff of Black Starlight went through several iterations before locking into its final version which has been solidified by the powerful rhythm section that drives the song. Lyrically it speaks of unity and overcoming adversity. It has a huge, powerful chorus and great harmonies and an addictive riff, making it the obvious choice as the lead single, and now live staple.
VI Kings
The title sparked it all, noticing that “6 Kings” written in roman numerals looked like “Vikings” was the spark that inspired one of our heaviest tracks yet. It’s rooted in Viking metal tradition with the Eld Varg stamp. It’s a thunderous, downtuned, headbanging track about 6 kings vying for the vacant throne of one of the 9 realms and the transition from old rule to new.
Darkest Waves
The song came together in a single session. It’s driven by a relentless double kick rhythm, thunderous bass and heavy riff, which opens up in the verse giving the vocals space to breath, into the huge chorus. It tells the tale of a sailor battling a merciless storm, which seems to actively be trying to sink the boat. The sailor is faced with a choice: to continue fighting back, or surrender to an inevitable end.
Crestfallen
This track settled as being the perfect album closer, built around an acoustic intro written by my brother. Lyrically, it follows on from the story of Iron Cobra from the last album, exploring the warrior’s emptiness after achieving his life goal, and for the first time in his life, being directionless and purposeless. It flows through various movements throughout the song, tranquillity, intensity and solitude, and leaves on an uplifting note. It perfectly captures everything that “Destroyer” is about, from a music point of view, and on a meaning level.”
For more on Eld Varg, see
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3lsbNSWBZ3ozjrJDm14W8K
www.instagram.com/eldvargofficial
www.facebook.com/eldvargofficial
www.eldvarg.com
