WILDERNESSKING (SA) | Les Acteurs de l Ombre

BIOGRAPHY

WILDERNESSKING

Wildernessking was established in May 2011 as a forward-thinking metal band. Starting out as a fun, black ‘n roll project called Heathens in 2010, the band morphed into a progressive force, encompassing many genres and styles on the way. Releasing their debut full-length album on Antithetic Records in February 2012, followed by a self-released EP in June 2012 and a couple of music videos, Wildernessking took the underground music scene by storm and to critical acclaim. In 2013, the band focused on writing new material, and did their first local tour, playing both Johannesburg and Pretoria in South Africa. In 2014, the group released their highly regarded EP, The Devil Within, and was the only African band to appear on Elemental Nightmares, a vinyl project consisting of 26 bands and spanning 7 ten-inch split albums, released over the course of 2014. 2015 saw the band releasing their track, Soundless Longing, for the Secret Ceremonies compilation, an album featuring forward-thinking South African bands, which will see a physical release in 2016. Now playing a hybrid of black metal, rock and ambient music, the group is set to release their brand new full-length record in early 2016 through Sick Man Getting Sick Records, Grimoire Cassette Cvlture, Monotonstudio Records and Les Acteurs De L’Ombre Productions. 2016 will also see the release of a brand new EP, through Permanent Record and Breathe Plastic Records. The band plans to tour, both locally and internationally, in support of these releases.

LINE-UP : Keenan Nathan Oakes (Vocals Bass) | Dylan Viljoen (Guitars) | Jesse Navarre Vos (Guitars) | Jason Jardim (Drums)
ARTWORK : Rouleaux van der Merwe (Mystical future) | Simon Berndt (EP Split)
PICS : Eckardt Kasselman (Mystical future)

Words from the label manager, Gérald Milani :
« The South African band Wildernessking was a real crush since their first LP released on the Label Antithetic Records (USA) – lead by a passionate, I also discovered Fell Voices and Terzij De Horde thanks to it. Back then, the band offered an Atmospheric Black Metal with a real personality and already distinguished. Their sound really shocked me, it clearly stand out from the mass.

I really liked the 2 following Eps, more incisive, more rock, I quickly contacted the band to let them know I was interested in working with them. Wildernessking wanted to be known in Europe, and that is with their second album that the adventure started for us, with the CD (the vinyl being released on the German Label Sick Man Getting Sick Records). This second album has a real personal feeling, something tribal, ethnic, a contained rage and a delicacy rendering. They learnt how to create their musical universe, something easily identifiable, a creeping and progressive entity : the tracks run with an exceptional composing intelligence

Very quickly, we offer the band the opportunity to re-edit their 2 first Eps on vinyl – quickly sold out – an object I am particularly proud of, along with two wonderful silkscreen prints. We are waiting for their new album which will lead, let’s hope so, to a new collaboration with the German Label. »