Hinterlands

VETRAR DRAUGURINN – A chill in the air of the Dutch metal scene… “And when all the world is lost in shadow / Yours is the only fire I will know. / Bleak is the earth I walk on. / Still the pale light is not gone” Vetrar Draugurinn is a Dutch band formed around song writer / guitar player Eric Hazebroek (Stream of Passion); 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 Eric needed a new challenge to continue onwards. Despite the Icelandic name, the band came to life in the Netherlands. To complete the line-up Eric asked the help of 4 talented, experienced musicians/friends, namely the angelic yet dark voice of Marjan Welman (Autumn, Ayreon), versatile drummer Jim van de Kerkhof (All for Nothing), fellow 8 stringed guitar player Thomas Cochrane (Hologram Earth, Ancient Rites), and long-time collaborator Arjan Heijden (Manifest, Daeonia) on bass. Their goal is to make music from the heart, melancholic and gloomy, intense and fragile at some places, massive and loud in others. Eric 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. With a strong work ethic we were playing in the name of the song, disguished 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 was part of the Dutch/Mexican progressive symphonic metal band Stream of Passion, with whom he toured several times all over Europe and even played shows in far away places like Russia, Canada, Israel, Mexico, and the United States. During those years he released 3 full-length albums with the band and a live DVD. Stream of Passion also launched an incredibly succesful crowdfunding campaign for the recording of their final studio album in 2013, which grossed near to 200% of their goal. 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 tremndous response to follow. After which a full-length album was recorded during 2018, which will see the light of day in 2019. “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.