Falkenbach

Falkenbach is the one-man black metal project of multi-instrumentalist Vratyas Vakyas (formerly guitarist with Crimson Gates), who is based in Düsseldorf, Germany, but reportedly hails from Iceland, and subscribes to the genre's more epic style, rife with keyboards, Viking themes, and folk music tendencies (a possible reason for making up those unconfirmed Icelandic roots). Active under the Falkenbach alias since 1995, when no less than three demos suddenly emerged (Laeknishendr, Skinn Av Sverdhi Sol Valtiva, Asynja), Vakyas recorded two albums in 1996's ...En Their Medh Riki Fara and 1997's ...Magni Blandinn Ok Megintiri, before turning his attention to his record label Skaldic Art Productions. He finally revived Falkenbach in 2003 and actually drafted other musicians (vocalist Tyrann, guitarist Hagalaz, and drummer Bolthorn) to help out with third album Ok Nefna Tysbar Ty, but he was back to his solo ways by the release of its follow-up, Heralding the Fireblade, in 2005. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, Rovi