Vetrar Dragurin: Subtle details in melody and atmosphere

Voorburg is considered to be the oldest city in The Netherlands and celebrated its 2000th year of existence in 1988. Undoubtedly much younger is the Voorburg band Vetrar Draugurinn. The band was formed around song writer and guitar player Eric Hazebroek from the band Stream Of Passion. Vetrar Draugurinn show casing his unique style of incorporating melancholic melodies with heavy, down tuned riffs and his eye for subtle detail and diversity. After Stream Of Passion’s demise in 2016 Hazebroek needed a new challenge to continue. The title track Hinterland,

With Hinterland the band spread their progressive, melancholic doom metal over the vast wastelands of the current metal scene, bringing from heavy, 8 string guitar driven doom metal to fragile and atmospheric outburst of emotions. With the soothing vocals of Marjan Welman (Autumn) at the helm, the song writing and unique style of guitarist Eric Hazebroek, the powerful drums of Jim v/d Kerkhof (ex-All For Nothing), the heaviness that is guitarist Thomas Cochrane (Hologram Earth), and the 6 strings of bass of Arjan Heijden (ex-Manifest). The album shows there’s more diversity and honesty to be found when musicians don’t aim to please but aim to create beautiful music. The track I Am,

Despite the Icelandic name, the band came to life in the Netherlands. Their goal is to make music from the heart, melancholic and gloomy, intense and fragile at some places, massive and loud in others. Hazebroek explains, «Throughout my 26 years as an aspiring and semi-professional musician, I grew into the role of songwriter more and more. During my time in Daeonia (Candlelight Records 1997-2001) I became the sole contributor for the first time and learned a lot about subtle details in melody and atmosphere. The Saturnine (2003 – 2013) was the band in which this came to existence the most». The track The Wolves At Our Door,

Hazebroek says, «with a strong work ethic we were playing in the name of the song, disguised our technical abilities underneath a blanket of beautiful melodies. I’m not here to show off my guitar-playing (others are way better than I am). I’m here to make beautiful music».

For 10 years Eric Hazebroek was part of the Dutch/Mexican progressive symphonic metal band Stream Of Passion. 2017 saw the start of this brand new band and a brand new adventure, venturing into the next chapter of a musical journey. First a limited edition EP was as an introduction, with a tremendous response to follow. After which a full-length album was recorded during 2018, which will see the light of day in a week from now. Hinterlands” contains 11 songs that will drag you into their travels and darkness. Vetrar Draugurinn is here to give you a glimpse of light in the dark forest, a little bit of warmth in the long wintery night.

Link:
Facebook