> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://blackmetalzine.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Interview: Oakenthrone - URL: https://blackmetalzine.com/interview-oakenthrone/ - Published: 2026-08-19T13:00:42.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-19T13:00:42.000Z - Description: Interview with UK black metal act Oakenthrone on the upcoming album Ad Silvam, transitioning from solo project to full band, and folklore roots. - Author: Emma - Tags: Interviews ## Introduction UK black metal act Oakenthrone is gearing up to release their debut album, Ad Silvam, alongside an upcoming appearance at the Tynebound festival, which is presented by Fortress Festival and Reaper Agency. With plenty on the horizon for the band, we caught up with them for a quick chat. Read the full interview below. ## Interview **Before we start, we would like to thank you for your time to answer these questions.** *No problem. Thanks, for reaching out.* **Given that Embers of Reverie and Astral Binding & The Oathsworn both sold out instantly which pushed you atop of the UK Black Metal chart on Bandcamp, did that recognition change on how you approached writing once you noticed that people were paying attention?** *No, I don’t think it changed how I approached the writing. It was definitely encouraging though and a source of motivation to keep going and write more. I think when you listen to the 4 demo tracks before Embers, you can really hear that I’m still trying to figure out the sound and there’s a very tangible, linear progression. Embers of Reverie was the moment I really felt that I had got there. I made a bit more of an effort with the release - with a physical release etc - and began to get excited about writing and releasing more. And the positive reaction was a little bit of confirmation for me that maybe I was going in the right direction.* **What was the defining moment that made you know what Oakenthrone needed to become a full band rather than a solo project?** *Originally, creating Oakenthrone was a very personal thing for me. I hadn’t been making music for a long time, and it was about finding that side of me again. But then as it developed, and the two tapes were out, I figured there was probably a limit to how far I could take it on my own. And if I’m going to do it, I may as well do it properly. I have to shout out Necrow Events and Call Of The Crow festival for initiating that, though, honestly. I was getting the itch to play live, and the opportunity to play a debut show at Call Of The Crow came about. So I said yes before I had a band together, and figured out the rest later.* **Nathan, Andrew, and Ant all come from other projects (Sathamel, Pist, Mairu), what drew you to them specifically, and how did you know they were a right fit for Oakenthrone?** *They have elevated Oakenthrone way more than I could have imagined. All of them are great at their craft, but their experience in the industry has been invaluable for me. I hadn’t played live in 13 years before the debut show, so having people this tight and reliable means I can just worry about what I’m playing. But it was immediately obvious to me that I wanted a band dynamic, not live players or session musicians. Everyone puts a huge amount of effort into the band and is as passionate about it as I am. But it’s because of those three that we have the level of professionalism, as a group, that we do.* ![](https://blackmetalzine.com/content/images/2026/08/Ad-Silvam-Woodland.webp) **You joined Soar on the UK leg of their "Amidst the Ruins" tour in which you described it as a "pivotal moment", what was the mindset during this time?** *I think maybe it was pivotal for us more on a personal level. We’d only played together 3 times before that run of shows. As a band, this felt like an opportunity that doesn’t come around that often, or so quickly, so there was an element of us putting a bit of pressure on ourselves to show that we should be at that level and are able to deliver.* **You've mentioned that the visual identity for the trilogy is drawn from John Martin's apocalyptic paintings, what drew you towards his work?** *I used a part of his piece “Joshua Commanding the Sun to Stand Still upon Gibeon” for the cover to Astral Binding & The Oathsworn. The apocalyptic scenes depicting the raw power of nature suits Oakenthrone thematically. My lyrics often talk of being consumed by nature, and there is a nihilistic rage behind the music so aesthetically, John Maritin’s work represents that perfectly. Specifically for the Paths Once Trodden CD we released with Darkwoods Records, we wanted to revisit his work again. This time we wanted an apocalyptic image to represent the ending of the solo era and the start of a new chapter for the band, and who better?* **As this band is a bit of an up and comer in the scene, how have you been finding it so far?** *It’s been great. We’re an up and comer, but we’re all pretty old and knackered! There’s a lot of very cool people in the scene, bands who have been around since I was playing in the noughties, I’ve been introduced to newer bands who are killing it. Some healthy competition between bands and lots of lifting each other up too.* **Tynebound has a pretty stellar line up, will you be sticking around all weekend? And if so, what band(s) are you looking forward to catching?** *Absolutely! I would have bought a weekend ticket if I wasn’t playing. The line-up is fantastic. Obviously, Moonlight Sorcery and Inferno. Magnatar’s debut show opening up the Saturday is a must-watch. Coscradh, Conifere, honestly I could just name the full line up of bands I’m looking forward to.* **Oakenthrone is deeply rooted in the landscapes, history, and folklore of Britain. What first inspired you to build the project around these themes?** *It’s all rooted in nature and personal introspection. Environmentalism, spiritualism and folklore are all an important part of my life.. Writing for Oakenthrone is a very instinctive and personal experience for me still. I never actually set out to write in a certain way, but those things that are dear to me will always find their way into the weave.* **Do you find that the UK approach to atmospheric black metal has different qualities to what you might find from mainland Europe, for example, and what is it that gives this island nation such a strong presence in the scene?** *You know, I don’t know that being UK-based has a major effect on it. Not for me at least. When I talk about nature, the nature that I know best is that of my home country and my experiences are bound to my location, I suppose. But my morals, my beliefs, my frustrations and anger, I would consider that to be universal. As an island nation, we are lucky in that we have a vast history of multicultural influences to draw upon. But I don’t know that that is particularly different from Europe or other parts of the world.* **What can we expect from your upcoming release, Ad Silvam, and how has progress been on it?** *It is a big step-up. Musically, it feels like a natural progression from what I did in the solo era. You can hear the difference having a full band makes, and having a real, driving rhythm section was always missing before. Working with the other guys to round out those sections just adds new layers and really elevates the music in ways I couldn’t have done on my own.* ***You shouldn’t have to wait too much longer for the album, there will be news on the release in the coming weeks!*** **Is there anything you would like to add?** *No, nothing from me, really. We will be updating the socials on album news pretty soon, so keep an eye on that. Thanks for your time!* ### More about the band [Oakenthrone Official: Instagram, Facebook | LinktreeLinktree. Make your link do more.![](https://blackmetalzine.com/content/images/icon/favicon-42ce461d-5093-467b-be3e-c2f84684c646.png)Linktree![](https://blackmetalzine.com/content/images/thumbnail/oakenthrone-93f8667a-0a39-4a31-8feb-301efc71f850.jpg)](https://linktr.ee/oakenthrone?ref=blackmetalzine.com) ### More about the festival [Fortress Presents: Tynebound Weekend Ticket𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐓 – 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐖𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝕱𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖘 𝕻𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖘: TYNEBOUND; A brand new event, presented by Fortress Festival and Reaper Agency, for the North East of England. In collaboration with Anarchy Brew Co. We’re proud to announce a new gathering in collaboration with Anarchy Brewery. A night of raw,…![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Reaper Agency UKReaper Agency UK![](https://blackmetalzine.com/content/images/thumbnail/TyneBound-Announcement-Promo-29010f33-c98a-42f7-b186-8cb023caeca6.jpg)](https://reaperagencyuk.bigcartel.com/product/fortress-presents-tynebound-weekend-ticket?ref=blackmetalzine.com) ## Signup to our newsletter and Social Media Below you can sign up to our newsletter(s) one of those is The Infernal Records, a weekly newsletter where Fractal our dedicated researcher finds new releases of the previous week that are worth your time. You can sign up here: ## Unleashing the Darkness Within become a member of Black Metal Zine Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We also love to hear your thoughts and opinions on our articles, so feel free to follow us on our social media channels. Or join us on Black Metal Promotions, [**Discord**](https://discord.com/invite/9WBTVvNYEC?ref=blackmetalzine.com). Where we talk about all things black metal. You can find us on the following social media outlets: Facebook: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/blackmetal.zine/](https://www.instagram.com/blackmetal.zine/?ref=blackmetalzine.com) Threads: [https://www.threads.com/@blackmetal.zine](https://www.threads.com/@blackmetal.zine?ref=blackmetalzine.com)