Romanian black metal band Warhymn has been very active recently: they re-recorded some songs, released a new single and video, announced a new EP and played live in Romania and abroad. Therefore, we invited Shavy, one of the guitarists and vocalists of the band, for an interview.
DinIntunerec: Hello! Thanks for agreeing to this interview. I want to start from the very beginning… the very beginning of the band I mean. I already know from other earlier statements that you started your journey with a different lineup and under a different name. Then, the band turned into a one man project and later you decided to turn it into a full-lineup band. However, you’ve never mentioned why you started this journey in the first place. What did you plan and how much have you achieved until now? Also, why black metal and why occult themed?
Shavy: Hello Dana. This is a challenging question. I somehow wanted to play this genre since I first started listening to it (I was about 12-13 years old). So, yeah, like every teenager, I had a cheap guitar and started to practice by myself. When I was 17 years old (around 2007) I started to play in a local black metal band with historical Romanian themes. My bandmate Ritco had very good music writing skills, but I was never into the theme and message the band wanted to approach.
When Argedava disbanded, I formed Athanatos with Vali (Machiavellian God) at some point, in 2010. It was active for two years. New songs were made in a more darker, occult/biblical manner and it took a seven year break, until I was able to live in my own place and develop a mini-studio at home. Then, old songs were mixed with newer songs and one Argedava song (Originea). They were recorded into a full-length package called Gnosis. My dear friend Radu Bogza helped me produce it. It sounds raw, old school, limited to the recording possibilities I had back in late 2018. Yet, it is an essential material for the Warhymn chapter.
Warhymn was revealed to the public for the first time in august 2019 as a studio project. I didn’ t want a full band anymore, I just wanted to write and produce music. However, somehow history repeated itself, and this band has now an amazing lineup I’ve never imagined to have.
DinIntunerec: What challenges did you have to overcome during the band’s existence?
Shavy: Probably the same two challenges that most extreme metal bands in Romania have. The first one is time, and the second one is, of course, lack of resources/income. Since Warhymn activates as a full fledged band, we became more and more professional. This requires a lot of time to rehearse, which becomes a luxury since we all work. Also, it requires a unique band image and stage presentation. Thus, we started to acquire better stage gear (including roll-up banners, symbolic stuff and playing equipment). One more drawback for extreme metal Romanian bands, I’d say, is lack of international promotion/booking. Local bands should play more and more alongside international bands to acquire some of their experience.
DinIntunerec: Tell us about Warhymn’s early days and evolution.
Shavy: The very early days of Warhymn as a studio project started in late 2018, when pre-production of our first full-length, Gnosis began. It had passed around half a year after Gnosis release through Narcoleptica Productions when Vali (Machiavellian God and former Athanatos member) took the initiative to convince me to bring Warhymn to stage. We started to rehearse together, with guitars and vocals and drum machine on backing track.
At the end of 2020 he already knew Philip ( drums) and Hex (bass guitar) and brought them to the rehearsal room, to play along. The chemistry between us was perfect from the start. They understood the genre, liked the songs and all wanted seriousness and commitment. Ironically, after forming Warhymn as a full fledged band, Vali had to leave, due to scheduling conflicts. That is when and how Razvan Rizea came into the picture and elevated the band to new heights. We are in this formula since mid 2021.
DinIntunerec: The band announced the release of a new EP, Occult Fire. Tell us a few words about this upcoming EP and about the formats in which it will be available.
Shavy: The Occult Fire EP wasn’t planned, it evolved into what it is. After we released Cult of Primordials, we wanted to work on new music and release a new full-length, at some point in 2024-2025. But, we aimed for slightly superior production than what was on the previous EP. First, we wanted to track our newest song Occult Fire and produce it at our highest possible peak. However, when we tracked the drums in the studio for it, we just asked ourselves “why not record some of the old songs?”. Since Philip plays them way better and nuanced than the older version with drum machine. Also, he can easily track them.
So, instead of recording only Occult Fire, we ended up recording two more songs from the scratch… Songs that are part of Gnosis debut album… And we rebranded them as Occult Fire Versions. Mister Andrei Bogdan from Grand Way Studios did an outstanding job producing the songs and exceeded all our expectations on all three of them. So, this is how the Occult Fire EP emerged , and so our production man for the next full-length was chosen. 
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In the beginning of July , Occult Fire EP will be available only digitally, on Loud Rage Music bandcamp and all major streaming platforms. SPOILER ALERT ! We are in discussions with Adrian from Loud Rage, so a compilation with both Cult of Primordials and Occult Fire EP might be available on 12” vinyl by the end of the year!
DinIntunerec: Warhymn has collaborated with Grand Way Studios for the new EP. Can you comment on the productionand the experience of working with GWS?
Shavy: Andrei of G.W.S. is a true professional. We brought him the raw recorded drums (tracked at Taine Multimedia), all D.I. instruments and raw vocals, tracked in our home studio. Also, we gave him a reference song and the man just nailed the production and met all the deadlines. We can’t recommend him enough!
DinIntunerec: Can you tell us a few words about the collaboration with Loud Rage Music, regarding the past release and also the future one?
Shavy: We were recommended by Emi (our manager) to Adrian (Loud Rage Music) when we were aiming to release Cult of Primordials material. Adrian liked the material and approved the idea by releasing it on 300 copies in CD format under his label. He did a great job in promoting and distributing Warhymn. We can proudly say that, owing to him, Cult of Primordials CD reached distros from US, Japan and many more around the world.
Moreover, he is very passionate and, through Loud Rage Music, he helps the Romanian metal scene, in general. Fertile Soil compilations are, in my opinion, one of the best initiatives on promoting and evaluating the local scene. Occult Fire EP will also be released digitally under the banner of his label, and if a vinyl version will be available, it will be released by Loud Rage Music as well.
DinIntunerec: There are rumors about a new album in 2025. Can you confirm and disclose a few insights into the new album’s musical direction and concept?
Shavy: The second Warhymn full-length will be the most ambitious material we’ve done so far, both in terms of songwriting and music production. We learned how to work with each other in these almost four years since no lineup changes have been made. We have four songs completely written, so we are kind of half way. This is our top priority in this moment and we hope to finish the writing and start producing it at some point in December 2024.
Conceptually speaking, Gnosis was about the first sin – man gaining knowledge in the garden of Eden, after that being banished out of it. Cult of Primordials was about the first men that inhabited Earth (or Adamah as spoken in the Bible), presented in a dark occult manner. The next full-length will be about the first civilizations, also presented in the same dark themed manner. We’ve established key moments of preproduction/production with Andrei and we cannot wait to start doing it!
DinIntunerec: You will soon play in Hungary, as guest band at Sear Bliss new album release concert. How do you feel about that?
Shavy: I rarely see Romanian bands perform abroad these days, with the exception of the more mainstream ones. So, this is a great opportunity for us. We thank Sear Bliss for offering this chance! Moreover, this show was booked by Emi – and our partnership’s main goal is to make Warhymn play abroad as much as possible. So, we hope this is only the beginning! We cannot wait to deliver our best to the Hungarian hordes !
DinIntunerec: Warhymn has recently played in Bulgaria and, if I’m not mistaking, that was the band’s first show abroad. Tell us a bit about this experience.
Shavy: Bulgaria was great! The pub was small, but the overall event was very well organized. We played the third band (right before Magnetic) a pretty large 50-minute set and the crowd was awesome during our show, and after the show. No technical problems at all, our playing felt comfortable and because the club was small we felt very connected to the people during our performance. We’d love to play again in Sofia! 
DinIntunerec: Let’s go a bit deeper into the band’s dynamics… The other guitarist of Warhymn is very young… Moreover, Razvan is on the verge of sitting the final exams after graduating college. Did any of these have any impact on the band’s schedule, live shows or even future releases?
Shavy: This feels a little bit tricky to answer, but I’ll be totally honest here. Yes, it affected our live schedules, three shows in total, but Vali (Machiavellian God) stepped back in, and played the shows. But, apart from that, we did not feel any let down from Razvan. I was skeptical at the the beginning, not because of his playing skills, but because of the age difference (and also different personalities), but the kid proved to be a beast in the best way of saying. He’s serious, his playing skills are top notch, his presence and charisma excellent and he gained the public’s admiration. So, fingers crossed he’ll pass his exams (as they are the most important thing now), and we can’t wait to have him back at rehearsals after that!
DinIntunerec: Walk us a bit through Warhymn’s creative process. Who writes the music and lyrics, or how do you actually create new songs?
Shavy: I write the lyrics, but before that I think of a direct subject or story the song will be about. Our releases are conceptual, so all the songs are tightly connected one with the other. The subject must deliver a distinctive musical state and energy (dramatic, slow, fast paced, energetic etc). So, around the chosen subject, I start to test riffs until I can create a basic structure and some lyrics to go with the riffs. It must not be complete or complex. However, it has to be enough, so the guys will understand my intentions.
After this, usually Razvan corrects some riffs, or enhances them, comes with some solos where they might fit and then, everyone brings his own ideas based on the instrument they play (bass guitar and drums). So, mostly I come up with an idea, which gets pumped by the rest of the guys. If the guys reject the main idea, we redo the process. And I need to admit it happened a few times.
DinIntunerec: There is still some debate among bands in general on the best way to achieve organic sound. Some argue for playing analogue, others are supporters of digital. Warhymn chose the later. Can you explain why and what advantages does it offer?
Shavy: I hate those debates and they are usually made by people who play, be them older or younger old school lovers. The technology nowadays allows a good guitar processor to sound 90% of what an amp can bring to the table. The most important thing is to find and build a great guitar or bass guitar tone that blends with your songs and with the style of playing. If you can’t make a good guitar tone it will sound like shit no matter if using a processor or amp. A good sound engineer is mandatory in order to sound good and first of all your ability to play is essential! More than the gear itself!
Apart from that, actually, bands get to play digital these days because they cannot afford to carry big equipment in vans or tour busses. Because they would require more complex transport logistics that nobody pays for, when it comes to underground bands. So, in my opinion, use what you need (analog or digital) in order to achieve the best sound, so people can enjoy your gig. The rest of the debate is bullshit.
DinIntunerec: Have you ever thought to apply for endorsement? If so, what would you prefer in terms of brand?
Shavy: We’ve never thought of endorsement, but I don’t think we’ll refuse one, if opportunity comes. In all those years, we experimented with different instruments and signal gear and I believe we’re not done yet! For example, I own a Jackson Flying V guitar since 2008, which feels so comfortable, that I preferred to keep it as one of my mains. So, I changed everything (pick-ups, Floyd Rose, volume buttons, added locking tuners and also did some fret leveling process) transforming it into a high end axe to play. I also own an ESP ltd arrow and an Epiphone Les Paul which are damn great instruments. Razvan’s Mayones Hydra guitar shreds Warhymn’s riffs like a chainsaw, and Tibi’s Ibanez with Nordstrand pickups give us the low end tone we need. As for Philip – Rude Paiste cymbals do their job very well !
DinIntunerec: Actually, what other future plans can you disclose?
Shavy: As I mentioned in the previous questions, Warhymn’s main goal is to finish and produce the new full-length material. It is hard to make future plans, as they depend on the band’s success. After we release it, we wish to play it as much as possible and as far as possible. We are opened for at least an European Tour, if this can be made possible. As a near-future plan, we are also working on a vinyl compilation release for the materials Cult of Primordials and Occult Fire through Loud Rage Music.
DinIntunerec: I’m curious to know something a bit more personal, now, at the end of this interview… What is your favorite memory related to a live show? Also, can you share a funny moment from the studio, from the rehearsals or from a band road trip? I’m sure our readers would like to know you from this perspective as well… as people not only as artists.
Shavy: Most of our shows were great, I don’t want to mention that I had a favorite one, because all are important for Warhymn. Also, all the crowds were great. More enthusiasm and curiosity I felt at places where we played only once, and where audiences don’t see these kind of extreme metal concerts every day. But I guess this is normal. Funny moments happen all the time at rehearsals, we all have good chemistry together. Also, on the minitours and the shows abroad we had excellent time on the road, met new people and bands and I personally enjoyed every moment.
DinIntunerec: Also, on a personal level, what does the band mean to you?
Shavy: On a personal level this band/project matters damn much to me. It is a personal ambition, it roughly started low when I decided to make music again, back in 2018. Most of the bands nowadays are born from the desire to make some songs and perform live. This is their main goal. Warhymn was born as a project from the desire to create music blended in conceptual lyrics. There were no plans for playing live, until Vali insisted on me to try and bring this on stage… And I was still skeptical. Now, it evolved into what it is, with the best lineup I was ever fortunate to play alongside with and we’re moving on. However, the main essence and idea are still there.
I don’t play in any other bands and have no desire to do it. This eats all my time and ideas, and I’m fine with it. To conclude, Warhymn will bring three full-length materials to the table, in order to make the trilogy complete… Obviously, with EP materials between them. We’re working on the second full-length right now. After the third, I don’t know, probably the public reception and band’s overall success will make us take a decision… If we move on, or bury it in the metal archives history. But until then, enjoy our newest Occult Fire EP !
DinIntunerec: Thank you for your time and we are looking forward to Warhymn’s new releases!
