Eluveitie, after three years of silence, has returned to the music scene with a brand new single. The band, known for its distinguishable sound and innovative approach, has released ‘Aidus’ to usher in a new era in their career, designed to showcase their music from a previously unseen perspective. The song is the band’s follow-up to their hugely successful album ‘Ategnatos.’
In ‘Aidus,’ the band moves away from their traditional Celtic Metal and Pagan Metal roots to embrace a more profound spiritual journey. Founding member Chrigel Glanzmann revealed that the song is one of the harshest tracks the band has ever produced. He explained that Eluveitie is no longer just a metal band singing about Celtic history or a Pagan metal band. They are now Celts playing metal music from all their hearts and using their ancient message as a surgical blade to cut through the principles of modern societies.
The forthcoming album will unveil an entirely novel sound and aesthetic for the band as they explore various themes and genres. Eluveitie has long been known for its creativity and experimentation, and ‘Aidus’ is just the start of a fresh chapter in the band’s career.
Eluveitie is a Swiss folk metal band that was formed in 2002 by the multi-talented musician Chrigel Glanzmann. The band has established a unique sound that blends the powerful and aggressive elements of metal music with the rich and evocative instrumentation of traditional Celtic folk music. Eluveitie has released nine full-length albums to date, and their music has won them a dedicated following of fans across the globe.
Eluveitie was formed in Winterthur, Switzerland, by Chrigel Glanzmann, who serves as the band’s lead vocalist, guitarist, and mandolin player. The band’s name is derived from the Gaulish language, and it means “I am Helvetian,” a reference to the ancient Celtic tribe that inhabited the Swiss Plateau.
The band first relied on playing acoustic folk music, but they soon realized that adding electric instruments and heavy metal influences would dramatically improve their sound. Their “New Wave of Folk Metal” distinctive style, which they named, was born as a result of this decision.
Eluveitie’s music is identified by its distinguishable blend of folk and metal influences. Bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, fiddle, flute, and mandolin are among the traditional folk instruments employed by the band in their music. These instruments are combined with heavy metal’s powerful and aggressive elements, including distorted guitars, fast-paced drumming, and harsh vocals.
The lyrics of the band oftenly involve elements of ancient history, mythology, and folklore, with an emphasis on Celtic culture and traditions. They sing in a variety of languages, including English, Gaulish, and Swiss-German, contributing to their music’s exotic and mystical feel.
Eluveitie has delivered nine full-length albums in total, each of which displays their distinct fusion of folk and metal influences. The band became a major player in the folk metal scene after the release of their debut album, ‘Spirit,’ in 2006. This was succeeded by the widely praised album ‘Slania’ in 2008, which heralded the band’s commercial breakthrough.
Eluveitie’s 2010 album ‘Everything Remains (As It Never Was)’ featured a more progressive sound and a wider variety of instrumentation, including bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, and fiddle. ‘Helvetios,’ the band’s next album, was released in 2012 and recounted the tale of the Helvetian tribe’s struggle against the Roman Empire.
‘Origins,’ their 2014 album, explored the mythology and folklore of various European cultures, whereas ‘Evocation II: Pantheon,’ their 2017 release, was a more stripped-down affair that featured acoustic instruments and traditional folk songs.
The band released ‘Ategnatos’ in 2019, encouraged by the ancient Celtic concept of the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. The album was lauded as the band’s return to form, highlighting their ability to seamlessly blend heavy metal with intricate folk melodies.
Eluveitie has established itself as one of the genre’s most talented musicians. They have helped inspire other bands to implement traditional folk music into their metal loudness, and they have made a significant contribution to bringing the rich and evocative music of the Celtic people to a broader audience.
Their music has been critically acclaimed and has earned them a dedicated following of fans across the globe. They have played at numerous festivals and toured extensively, cementing their reputation as a formidable live act.
Most recently, Eluveitie fans were surprised to hear the news that Chrigel Glanzmann, the band’s lead vocalist and founding member, would not be joining them on their ongoing North American tour due to a family emergency. The announcement was made just hours before their first show, leaving many fans concerned about the future of the tour.
In a statement released by the band, Chrigel explained the difficult decision he had to make and expressed his gratitude for the support of his fans and the metal community. “We all have been waiting for this North American tour so badly. And now this. I can hardly believe this is happening. Due to a serious family emergency I am forced to stay at home and to not be part of this tour,” he said.
Despite the unexpected change, the band promised an unforgettable Eluveitie achievement, with Fabi taking the lead and showing the world her incredible talents. Adrienne Cowan of Seven Spires and Jukka Pelkonen of Omnium Gatherum were also announced to take over Chrigel’s role, ensuring that fans could still experience the band’s distinct sound.
‘Aidus,’ the new single, has received favorable reviews from critics and supporters. The band’s distinguishable sound, profound lyrics, and compelling vocals have enthralled the metal community once more. ‘Aidus’ is a great example of the band’s growth and evolution, and fans are looking eagerly to the release of their next album.
Eluveitie’s return to the music scene is sure to be met with great excitement from fans worldwide, and ‘Aidus’ is just the first step in what promises to be an incredible journey. As the band explores new themes and sounds, fans can expect more groundbreaking music from this Swiss metal legend.
Eluveitie has been acknowledged for their dedication to maintaining and encouraging the Celtic people’s cultural heritage, in additament to their musical contributions. The band has worked in collaboration with scholars and experts to ensure that their lyrics and music accurately reflect the Celtic people’s traditions and history, and they have also endorsed various cultural organizations and events.
Eluveitie has carved out a distinct path in heavy metal music by embracing the rich and evocative sounds of traditional Celtic folk music into their impactful and assertive sound. Their music has earned them widespread praise and a devoted fan base all over the world, and they have inspired countless other bands to explore the possibilities of folk metal.
