Cellar Darling

Cellar Darling are a three-piece Swiss progressive folk band from Winterthur and Lucerne, Switzerland founded in 2016.[2] The group was formed by Anna Murphy (vocals, hurdy-gurdy, flute), Merlin Sutter (drums) and Ivo Henzi (guitars and bass). Cellar Darling incorporates heavy metal, folk, classical, and progressive influences. Notably, the band uses a hurdy-gurdy, an old folk instrument and a traverse flute. The trio were previously part of the Swiss metal band Eluveitie.

Cellar Darling
Cellar Darling performing at Rockharz Open Air 2018
Background information
OriginWinterthur and Lucerne, Switzerland
GenresProgressive metal, folk metal
Years active2016–present
LabelsNuclear Blast[1]
Associated actsEluveitie
Websitewww.cellardarling.com
MembersMerlin Sutter
Ivo Henzi
Anna Murphy
Drummer Merlin Sutter performing at Rockharz Open Air 2018

History

Formation

In May 2016 three longtime members of Eluveitie announced their departure from the band. Anna Murphy - female singer & hurdy-gurdy player, Ivo Henzi - guitarist, and Merlin Sutter - drummer parted ways with Eluveitie in a highly publicised split. The exact details of the split were not cited in the press, but wide speculation ensued among fans. In June 2016 the trio announced the creation of Cellar Darling. The band quickly began working on new music for their debut release.

On 23 September 2016 Cellar Darling launched a single called "Challenge" along with the b-side track "Fire, Wind & Earth".[3][4] The single was self released and the video was created and directed by the band themselves. The musical style of the initial release was a concrete departure from the folk metal genre of their previous band. Cellar Darling quickly gained recognition and played their first ever shows in December 2016 supporting Amorphis in Zurich, Switzerland[5] and The Gentle Storm in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.[6]

"This Is The Sound" and signing to Nuclear Blast

In January 2017 the trio announced their signing to a German independent metal label Nuclear Blast Records, and that their debut album would be released through the label the following summer.[1][7]

In May, it was announced that Cellar Darling's first album would be entitledThis Is the Sound and was to be released on 30 June 2017. A tracklist of the album was introduced.[8]

Cellar Darling released their second ever single called "Black Moon" on 19 May 2017, along with a music video.[9] This was followed on 17 June 2017 with a third single, "Avalanche".[10] Both videos were shot in Tenerife. [11]

The debut album was released on 30 June 2017 to widespread critical acclaim.[12][13][14]

The musical style of the debut release was a definite departure from folk metal, despite the use of the hurdy-gurdy. Cellar Darling remained true to their metal and rock roots and introduced elements of progressive metal into some of the songs on "This Is The Sound". Lyrically, the album focused on apocalyptic stories connecting around the motif of the end of the world. A perfect balance of darkness and light shines through the entire record, both lyrically and musically.

Cellar Darling toured extensively all over the world in support of the album utilising services of a session bass player as well as some guest musicians (who appear on the album)for selected shows. The album charted in Switzerland, Germany and the UK.

"The Spell"

The second release was announced to be a concept album and was backed up by strong progressive metal rhetoric. On 2 November 2018 the first single was released.[15] "Insomnia" was a definite step towards progressive metal and it was accompanied by a music video created by Costin Chioreanu. The band announced that the entire album will be accompanied by videos by Costin to better visualise the concept and the story behind "The Spell". Another single entitled "Death" followed.

Cellar Darling's second album The Spell was released on 22 March 2019 on Nuclear Blast Records.[16] "The Spell" is a concept album telling a story of a girl who falls in love with Death and aims to join Death in eternal life. Musically the album combines elements of progressive metal, progressive rock and folk rock with audible influences by bands like Black Sabbath or Jethro Tull. The storytelling facet was further represented by an addition to the special edition digibook of an audiobook. A story of "The Spell" was presented in a form of a tale told by the singer Anna Murphy. The same story was later transcribed and released by the band as an actual limited edition book (print limited to 250 pieces).

"The Spell" entered charts in Switzerland, Germany and the UK.

Members
  • Anna Murphy – lead vocals, hurdy-gurdy, flute, synths (2016–present)
  • Ivo Henzi – guitars, bass (2016–present)
  • Merlin Sutter – drums (2016–present)

Live musicians
  • Nicolas Winter – bass (2017–present)
  • Rafi Kirder – bass (2016)

Guest musicians
  • Shir-Ran Yinon – violin (2016–2017, 2018)
  • Brendan Wade – uilleann pipes (2016–2017)
  • Fredy Schnyder – piano (2016–2017)

Discography

Albums

Singles
  • "Challenge" - 2016[2]
  • "Avalanche" - 2017[17]
  • "Black Moon" - 2017[11]
  • "The Hermit" - 2017
  • "The Prophet's Song" (Queen cover) - 2018
  • "Insomnia" - 2018[15]
  • "Death" - 2019
  • "Th Spell" - 2019
  • "Drown" - 2019

Music videos
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References
  1. "CELLAR DARLING – sign to Nuclear Blast!". 19 January 2017.
  2. "Former Eluveitie Members Launch Cellar Darling". Blabbermouth.net. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  3. "CELLAR DARLING ARE BORN – EX-ELUVEITIE MEMBERS TAKE THE CHALLENGE – FIRST SONGS HERE, FIRST LIVE SHOW ANNOUNCED". Metaltalk.net. 23 September 2016. Archived from the original on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  4. "News". Cellar Darling.
  5. "Cellar Darling". www.facebook.com.
  6. "The Gentle Storm".
  7. "CELLAR DARLING Feat. Former ELUVEITIE Members: Debut Album To Be Released Via NUCLEAR BLAST". Blabbermouth.net. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  8. "CELLAR DARLING Feat. Former ELUVEITIE Members: 'This Is The Sound' Album Due In June". Blabbermouth.net. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  9. "[NEWS] CELLAR DARLING Release New Video". d'Italia Pty Ltd. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  10. "[NEWS] CELLAR DARLING Release Avalanche Video". d'Italia Pty Ltd. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  11. "CELLAR DARLING Feat. Former ELUVEITIE Members: 'Black Moon' Video". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 20 May 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  12. "[ALBUM REVIEW] CELLAR DARLING 'This Is The Sound'". Heavymag.com.au. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  13. "Album Review: Cellar Darling – This Is The Sound". Antihero Magazine. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  14. "Cellar Darling – This Is The Sound". Metal.de. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  15. Nuclear Blast Records (1 November 2018), CELLAR DARLING – Insomnia (OFFICIAL VIDEO), retrieved 3 November 2018
  16. https://www.sonicperspectives.com/album-reviews/cellar-darling-the-spell/
  17. Nuclear Blast Records (16 June 2017). "CELLAR DARLING – Avalanche (OFFICIAL VIDEO)" – via YouTube.
  18. Cellar Darling (22 September 2016). "Cellar Darling – 'Challenge' [Official Lyric Video]" – via YouTube.
  19. Nuclear Blast Records (19 May 2017). "CELLAR DARLING – Black Moon (OFFICIAL VIDEO)" – via YouTube.
  20. "CELLAR DARLING Feat. Former ELUVEITIE Members: 'Six Days' Animated Video". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  21. Cellar Darling (14 February 2019). "CELLAR DARLING – announce premiere of new music video for 'Death' and live Q&A session for their fans!" – via Nuclear Blast Records.
  22. Nuclear Blast Records (8 March 2019). "CELLAR DARLING – Drown (OFFICIAL VIDEO)" – via YouTube.
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