Here we go again… Last year we covered every band on the Hobgoblin New Blood and Jagermeister stages in the run-up to Bloodstock 2015. This year, we’re going one better and aim to have interviews from all the bands on those two stages as well as all of those on the SOPHIE stage prior to the event kicking off on August 11th. That’s almost 100 interviews to get online for you lucky people over the course of the next couple of weeks. I bloody love this job, but you lot owe me a beer at Catton Hall, right?
Thanks to all the bands who’ve taken the time to respond so far!
Agrona – Hobgoblin New Blood stage, Friday
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
Cardiff, Wales.
How did you meet?
How do most like minded individuals meet? A yearning to create something dark, majestic, powerful and a general dissatisfaction with our current musical surroundings. Copious amounts of alcohol and fire also helped.
How long have you been playing together as a band?
Little over a year now, with many more to come.
Where does the name of the band come from?
The name is derived from a Proto-Celtic goddess known as Agrona; Aeron being the masculine name and precursor. An entity of battle and slaughter. The manifestation of the strife of war. Carnage. Agrona had a greater resonance with us, so the choice was a simple one.
What are your influences – individually or as a band?
Musically? Black metal being the founding element, death, “progressive” and many more beyond. The vastness can’t be properly itemised but most of us would agree that Emperor, Morbid Angel, Behemoth, Anaal Nathrakh and Akercoke are the most common links between us all. Philosophically? Freedom. The dark unknown. Our nation’s own bloody history. Paganism. Mythology. And it goes without saying, the rejection of religion.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
The term “blackened” seems to fit our sound and aesthetic the most. Does it make us unique? We would think so. Black metal is a powerful and emotive force, something almost spiritual that embraces the primal fury that no other art form does. Though we do revere its old ways, Agrona must have the potential to be limitless and not be bound by entrenched tradition. From this, we expanded and grew into something far more potent. We continuously evolve and walk into the unknown. We’re also very loud, so that helps.
What’s your live show like – why should the baying hordes troop over to the stage you’re playing on to watch you?
Chaotic energy. Ruthless intensity. A celebration of atavistic rage! A fuckton of blood and smoke. All is necessary for the live slaughter.
When/how did you find out you’d been selected to play at Bloodstock?
Conquering Metal 2 The Masses South Wales. It’s quite the honour to repay a festival that allowed to us to watch Emperor.
What sort of setlist can we expect?
An unrelenting blackened assault.
Which main stage band do you most hope you’re not clashing with so you can see them play?
VENOM!
What are you working on at the moment?
Forging towards an album.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done on tour?
There was a mishap involving an explosive and an orifice. We will say no more.
What advice would you give to a young band just starting out today?
You will face much opposition but your purpose and never yield.
If you could be part of any 3-band line-up who else would you have on the bill? One band above you and one below – a chance to plug a smaller, unsigned act!
Below us? Our allies Wolvencrown. Above us? Emperor.
What stage / time are you playing at Bloodstock (if you have your slot yet!)
Friday on the New Blood stage. Submit to the victorious onslaught of Agrona!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBRr1-ps8M4
