HELLEVAERDER – FAKKELDRAGERS

We are thrilled to premiere the full album “Fakkeldragers” by Dutch Black Metal band Hellevaerder.

Black Metal Promotion hosts the premiere

Release Date:June, 19, 2025
Genre: Black metal
For Fans Of: Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult, Emperor, Mayhem & Sargeist.

Fakkeldragers (Torchbearers) is a continuation of the tale of the guardian of light; the previous album, ‘In de nevel van afgunst‘ (In the mist of envy) told stories about the guardian of light defending the will to live while the worshippers of nothingness defended the need to perish the soul, becoming one with the universe.

In this saga the guardian is captured and dragged into the gates of eternal slavery, a world made from darkness. Light tries to find its way through the tiniest of openings, and the duality remains. After the capture she remains to find the will to live. The light conquers all, she said. But dying means enlightenment. After being dragged away towards the gates of nothingness she remains faithful to life. The will to live conquers the need to die…

The worshippers of nothingness are warriors of the unlight, the eternal stare-off between the everlasting wisdom in the here and now, foretold in 9 stories. You will be dragged down and be held captive. Forced to endure the tales of awakening. A way to deal with everyday life, a duality of wanting to, and needing to.

Death is nothing but a granted right, the whispers of the damned are chanting the echoes; ‘Death is liberating…’
Do not force yourself on these nine chants, those chants could redefine the process of life.
Celebrate life – Worship death

TRACKLIST

1. Een bepantserde kroon
2. Krijgers van het niets
3. De laatste dageraad
4. Handen geketend in ijzer
5. Fakkeldragers
6. Schaduwen van satijn
7. Waar wij vlammen trotseren
8. In de ban der lusten
9. Akelig gefluister (bonus track CD)

Fakkeldragers is a tale to celebrate life, worship death. This album continues the story of the guardian of light against the worshippers of nothingness.

This second full-length marks the maturing of Hellevaerder. Tracks are more in depth and bring a wider vision of the duality between the worshippers of nothingness and the guardian of light. Reach heights higher than might could conquer, discover hidden passages of the universe. Pick a side in the ongoing battle between dark and light…

Fakkeldragers was written and recorded during 2024. For the first time the entire band was a part of the writing process. During writing sessions we made almost all the tracks, everyone was part of every aspect of it.

This differs from the way we used to operate, one person made every track and others filled it with their vision. Our visions are now aligned, we are Hellevaerder. This marks the first record with all our creative skills combined.

Everything is produced in house, Daan Bleumink and Arjen Kleiss recorded everything and mixed it. The entire band had their say in every step, but we knew what we all were chasing.

Hellevaerder is a five-piece black metal band from Heerhugowaard, the Netherlands. While influenced by bands like Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult, Mayhem, Sargeist and Emperor, they bring their own unique taste of metal. High intensity music, filled with darkness. Their vocalist Miranda Visser shrieks everything to damnation, being guided by the followers of nothingness.

After their first full-length released in 2022; ‘In de nevel van afgunst’, they gave a taste of what’s to come. Before they started on the next full-length release, they made a trip down history with fellow Zwotte Kring bands Asgrauw, Schavot and Duindwaler (the later being the soloproject of Daan Bleumink). Together they released the greatly received ‘Verloren vertellingen’, which marked a more mature sound of Hellevaerder.

The saga continues as the guardian of light is captured. The second full-length is more madness fueled, insanity invoking and spiritual poisoning than before. Fakkeldragers will tell the next tale of the duality between light and dark. With over 50 minutes of mind terror, the suffering continues…

Line up
Miranda Visser – vocals
Daan Bleumink – drums
Luuk Steemers – bass
Arjen Kleiss – guitar
Bas Cuperus – guitar

Credits
A.A.W.R. (Sulphvris) – artwork
Viral Design – logo
Daan Bleumink – recording, mixing
Arjen Kleiss – recording
Devi Hisgen – master
Music and lyrics by Hellevaerder

The CD is a co-release between Void Wanderer Productions & War Productions
Tape & Vinyl via Zwaertgevegt.