1. Walg started around 2021. How did the idea for Walg come about? Why did you choose this name, and what does it refer to?
Walg started in 2021 as an experiment between Robert and Yorick. The collaboration clicked immediately, and the combination of exploring a new musical direction, having plenty of creative energy, and the extra time during the COVID pandemic quickly turned the project into a serious band. The name Walg ("Disgust") reflects the themes we explore: disgust, melancholy, the darker aspects of human nature, and introspection.
2. You've remained committed to releasing an album every year. Why this commitment? Do you find it easy to stay fresh when composing new music for Walg, or is it becoming increasingly difficult?
In the beginning, we released music at a very fast pace simply because the ideas kept flowing. Nowadays, we take more time and are much more critical about what we release. We don't feel obligated to put out an album every year, but as long as the inspiration is there, we'll keep writing. Quality will always come before speed.
3. You recently released "VI." What was the songwriting and recording process like for this new album? How do you think your sound has evolved across your albums? What brands of instruments did you use in the process?
Almost the entire album was created in our home studios. Robert writes and records the music, after which Yorick writes and records the vocals. We then send everything back and forth several times until we're both completely satisfied. The album was mixed and mastered by Merijn Middelweerd.
Over the years, our sound has become more mature, dynamic, and cinematic in a way, with a stronger focus on detail and arrangement. We use a variety of guitars (electric, acoustic, mandoline), accordeon, flute, vuilin and software instruments.
4. With each new release, it seems you take your sound a step further in that combination of aggression and melody. This album, "VI," is no exception, and what's presented here exudes rage and melancholy. How would you describe the sound of the new album to someone who hasn't heard it yet? What bands or styles influenced you when composing "VI"?
VI combines the melodic black metal of the '90s with a modern approach. The album balances aggression, melancholy, and atmosphere while making extensive use of melody, orchestral layers, and dynamic songwriting.
Our influences include bands such as Old Man's Child, Borknagar, Dark Fortress, and Dimmu Borgir, as well as classical music, folk, and many other styles within metal.
5. Your lyrics have a strong emotional charge, as in the song "Eenlonkster," with existential themes, witchcraft, etc., while also using your native language. What specific themes do you address in "VI"? Did you always know that Dutch would be your way of expressing yourselves with Walg?
On VI, we explore Groninger folklore, local history, personal experiences, and universal emotions such as loss, fear, hope, and the unknown. "Eenlonkster," for example, is based on a poem written by Robert's father.
From the very beginning, it was clear that Dutch was the right language for Walg. It allows us to tell these stories in the most authentic and emotionally honest way possible.
6. You collaborated with Merijn Middelweerd for the mixing and mastering of the new album. Did you handle the rest of the process yourselves? Who is Merijn Middelweerd, and why did you decide to work with him?
Apart from the mixing and mastering, we handled virtually everything ourselves. Merijn Middelweerd was responsible for the mix and master, helping bring the album to a higher production level.
We chose to work with him because his approach and sound matched our vision perfectly, and throughout the process he left plenty of room for feedback and fine-tuning until everything felt right.
7. You've forged a partnership with the record label Zwaertgevegt, who have been involved from the beginning in the release of this new album. How did this relationship, which has been in place for several years, come about? Have you considered exploring other options for releasing your music?
Our collaboration with Zwaertgevegt developed naturally through a shared passion for the music. We really appreciate their personal approach and the complete freedom they give us.
8. All your albums seem to share a common thread in their cover art, allowing for interpretation while maintaining a cold and somber tone. Who designed the cover for "VI"? What is the meaning behind this cover, and how does it relate to the album's content?
The artwork is a still from the videoclip for the opening track ‘Nevel’. The moment we were on location for filming we knew THAT would be the album cover.
Rather than illustrating everything literally, the artwork supports the emotional and folkloric themes while leaving room for the listener's own interpretation.
9. Since 2025, you've collaborated with Jessica Otten and Frank Schilperoort, initially as live musicians. How did the idea of bringing them on board to perform your music live come about? Is there a possibility that they might become full members of Walg in the future?
We wanted to present our music live in the strongest possible way, so we started working with Jessica Otten and Frank Schilperoort as live musicians. They help translate our studio productions into powerful live performances.
For now, they remain live members, while Walg continues to function as a duo in the studio.
10. How do you think things have changed in the six years you've been active in the Dutch black metal scene? How would you describe the extreme metal scene in a country like the Netherlands today?
Although we're still relatively new to the black metal scene, we've always felt incredibly welcome. First and foremost, we consider ourselves metalheads rather than belonging to one specific subgenre.
The Dutch extreme metal scene although small, feels open, passionate, and diverse, with many dedicated musicians and enthusiastic fans.
11. What were your beginnings in music like? What were the first concerts you attended? What were the first albums you bought? What event in your lives pushed you to want to become musicians?
We've both been listening to metal since our teenage years, eventually discovering black metal through many different styles of music. That passion gradually grew into the desire to create music ourselves. Walg is our first project fully dedicated to black metal.
My gateway into (black) metal went something like this: AC/DC > Twister Sister > Slayer > Satyricon hahah. First concert attended was Cynic at 013 in Tilburg. A pretty legendary band I did not know at the time but was happy to attend as a young metal head.
12. Which album represents the essence of black metal for you? What are the most recent albums you've bought?
It's difficult to point to a single album as the essence of black metal. The classic releases from the 1990s & early 00’s remain a huge source of inspiration, but we're equally inspired by modern bands, folk music, and classical music.
We listen very broadly and are constantly discovering new music. One of the important albums that influnced us is The Pagan Prosperity by Old Man’s Child.
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