Band Line Up 2015

Lyrically Saille handles ‘the fearful, the uncanny and the weird’. On earlier releases: Death rites and Forces of Nature.

Saille was founded by Dries Gaerdelen [keyboards] in 2009. He entered the studio with the sole intention to record his compositions (melodic black metal with a threatening feel, like Tartaros, Limbonic Art and Keep of Kalessin). The collaboration with Jonathan Vanderwal [guitars/vocals] was a logical result of a longstanding cooperation in their previous band Mortifer. Filip Dupont of Gorath participated in this project writing the lyrics and Gert Monden of In-Quest was hired for drumming on the album.

The recordings for the debut album ‘Irreversible Decay’ started at the end of 2009. During these sessions Reinier Schenk [guitar] was added to the band’s line-up. The accompaniment of a number of classically trained musicians caused the sessions to be spread over several months The album was finalized in September 2010. After contacting several labels, Saille chose to work with Code666 records and ’Irreversible Decay’ was released on March 4th 2011. It was extremely well received by the international press, especially for a formerly unknown band’s debut album.

An official videoclip for the track ‘Plaigh Allais’ was released in March 2011.

During the recordings, the idea of bringing Saille on stage grew. With the addition of Didier Vancampo [bass] and Yves Callaert [guitar], a complete live-band was formed and several shows followed. Saille’s very first gig took place in January 2011. Thanks to good reviews and a solid live-reputation, Saille played amongst acts as Melechesh, Izegrim, Gorath and more. In November 2011, Jonathan Vanderwal [vocals] decided to leave Saille, since he felt no longer comfortable being the band’s frontman. He was immediately replaced by Dennie Grondelaers.

The live-shows of the first album were concluded with a spot on Belgium’s biggest metalfest Graspop Metal Meeting 2012. Another highlight was their appearance on Eindhoven Metal Meeting [The Netherlands] at the end of the same year.

In July 2012 the band hit the studio again to record their second album entitled ‘Ritu’. It also sets the return of Jonathan Vanderwal, as a guitarist this time, to replace Yves Callaert, who left the band just before the recordings started. With lyrics inspired by death rites in ancient cultures, combined with new vocalist Dennie Grondelaers’ interest for H.P. Lovecraft and Cthulhu, the next album had a much darker setting. Again classical skilled guest musicians were invited to create the irreplaceable real sounds: flugelhörn, cello, violin, théremin, tuba, trombone and much more.

After two months of intensive recording sessions, the final mix was finished in September and sent to the Norwegian mastering specialist Tom Kvålsvoll(Strype Audio). Known for mastering black metal classics Mayhem, Emperor, Arcturus, Limbonic Art, Ulver, Vreid and many others. On January 18th 2013 ‘Ritu’saw the light of day as a digipak.

An official videoclip for the track ‘Blood Libel’ was released in June 2013.

After the release of the 2nd album, Saille faced an intensive year. They embarked on their first tour in January 2013, with Transylvanian black metal legendsNegura Bunget. Followed by more gigs in Belgium and the Netherlands, supporting bands like Textures, Von, Winterfylleth, In-Quest and The Monolith Death Cult. During summer, Saille was invited to perform on several festivals like AMF (with Napalm Death), Vlamrock (with Exhumed, Belphegor, Rotting Christ) and Metal Méan (with Marduk, Dying Fetus).

In September, Saille went to the UK for some gigs as support to Winterfylleth, a British band they consider as friends since they first met on Graspop 2012. In the same month Saille introduced Kevin De Leener as their new and permanent drummer. The band released another official video, a live recording of the track ‘Tephra’ (captured at Metal Méan) in November 2013 and went to Denmark for the first time for a headlining position on Black Winter Fest, Copenhagen.

Still playing gigs in 2014, Saille prepared the third album. Like the year before, performing on many stages in Belgium and The Netherlands, but in April they set foot on English soil again, this time sharing stages with Ethereal (UK). Other mentionable gigs were the very successful Tongeren Metal Fest (with Asphyx, Angel Witch), a show supporting Carach Angren (NL) and last, but most definitely not least the honour of playing in the ‘Ancienne Belgique’, Belgium’s nicest venue, sharing the stage with Merrimack and (The True) Mayhem. Eventually, in July, Saille played in Germany for the first time.

In May the recordings commenced in different studio’s for a different approach. Again classical instruments were added. Mixing and mastering was done by Klas Blomgren from Sweden (known for his work for Svart’s last cd). The street date is set for November 10th, again released by Code666.

Since the very first time Saille had the chance of playing on English soil, back in 2013, we felt welcome. We made quite some friends and therefore we visit the UK on a regular basis for gigs in clubs before. Saille is more than eager to cross the channel for this magnificent festival. We're looking forward to climb the stage and have some beers afterwards. Cheers!