SOMETHING OLD SOMETHING BLACK CAKE AS EARTH

The new unamed song is coming along, I am getting used to playing the riff and have also written more of the story.  I am at the stage were im thinking is worth breaking away from the story and just write the lyrics?  I see though that there is no rush as the song will be shelved for a future release, I do like a long gestation period of writing songs, my reasons for posting today is that the origins of what we are and where we are from.  That whole rooted thing and in this case that of the trolls that I have been writing about over the the last two years, the main theme has been the trolls and other beings protecting their ancient homelands that are being plagued by humans.  The earth is what they are they are part of it and it is part of them, and the trolls know their place and their history in all that they do.  I try to convey this in the songs something that has evolved over time and that is ancient, in the context of Gloomy Glum Troll who draws magics from the earth taking what he needs to make these draughts that have been crafted over long periods of time, in this song I hope to put as much information as possible to put across the meaning of how this world works among the trolls and their allies.  How they use the resources that are around them, so it looks like it could be a long song but it is still very much in the primary stages of development.  I do tend to edit as songs progresses.
 It will be interesting to see how all this evovles over the next few months.

MIDWINTER

This time of year is one that I really like, the dark the low light, snow frost it is a sleepy time.  But it holds something special for me!  There is the wonder of the past, as I am a believer of stories of troll`s.  What were their beliefs and customs and philosphies of this time of year, what sort of stories were told?  I find this interesting to add depth to my own stories and lyrics, the above picture is of the burning yule log from 22nd December and the rebirth of the sun.  Did troll`s hold a similar belief?  The atmosphere of midwinter is of sharp contrasts the sounds, the general look of the earth.  Wonderful colour golden shades across the moors a rough and rugged landscape, the sky a mix of dark shadows and light washed looking. Looking at the whole broad spectrum of folklore and tales that can be yielded at this time of year, of troll`s and other fantastical creatures written in a midwinter setting.  A lot of my own songs and tales reflect on this time of year, often using the northern lights as a familiar back drop which is again fascinating.  As troll`s go about their activities, and are also inspired by the magical light that hangs from above, hopefully more songs will be written in the new year.
Happy New Year
Onnellista Uutta Vuotta 

AUTUMN 

As we are in this part of the year, I like to think about it more now.  It is my favourite time of year I enjoy the low sun and the light of this time of year, looking out over the heather it looks like a giant crumble stretched out before me rich colour golden browns on a vast and rugged landscape, I find it all inspiring from a song writing perspective although the muse is not upon me at the moment.  I am the sort of writer who needs ideas floating around my head for a few days before I can create stories, I cannot force ideas there has to be something there to start with,  I have one writer who said that this is a ruff Quote "the reason for writers block is that writers do not want to right anything bad" or words to that effect, and I have to agree.  Not that I am the best of writers but the process of writing lyrics is a nice thing to do and if I have ideas the autumn is a great time of year to do so.   I do like to play and record this time of the year.  There is something special about Autumn and recording especially with Folk Black Metal, the whole atmosphere I  feel is very good. My songs are coming along well at the moment I went through a bad patch of being in the woods but have come out playing much better,  The picture below has inspired some of my songs.  From and environmental point of view although I will in time to include more Troll Tales from this area

ORN TROLL

This tells the story of Orn who was the troll wife of Uffwggsar, she came from The Raasvoarsberg Mountains.  She was very striking in her look tall with long brown hair, she had deep green eyes.  She was betrothed to Uffwggsar during a time of great conflict between the witches of the far western reaches of the mountains, Orn was not involved in battle her skills lied in spells and magicks.  She could produce strong intoxicating draughts and was very powerful with these gifts that she had procured over time,  she is around six hundred and fifty.  These spells have been used in battle between the folk of Midvaard,  this leaving them in a deep trance for a long time.  While the troll`s take down buildings to hinder Guthwyn and is men, she lives in Moorsfest with Uffwggsar in a cavernous dwelling below a massive Sitka.

UFFWGGSAR

This is one of the forest troll`s who accompanied Glorsorn on his many battles against Midvaard, He is one of the elder troll`s in these tales Uffwggsar.  Lived on the western edge of the great forest Moorsfest, he was very strong and fearsome and fought in many battles over hundreds of years.  He is aged roughly at about nine hundred, He had long flaming red hair like the setting sun.  With him at all times he carried two immense hammers that were made by the great blacksmith Grimmodhrtroll, in the cavernous mountain smithies.  He was tall with a long snout and tail and piercing dark brown eyes, as well as fighting alongside Glorsorn he lead many campaigns himself.  Some from minor skirmishes to major battles fought on the plains south of The Raasvoarsberg mountains,  when not in war he lives in relative seclusion, occasionally meets with other troll`s and Glorsorn for seasonal festivals.  He hunts with great skill and is an excellent archer as well,  he lives with Orn his troll wife.  Who comes from the far north east range of Raasvoarsberg.

The setting sun and the snowy trees, help reflect the images in the stories that I am trying to tell.

Troll`s playing guitars

I would like to talk about the whole thing of playing Folk Black Metal, when I am playing my songs I become the character MgtrolL in developing my vocals and to playing my bass.  I find that I must be completely focused on the music and lyrics, so that I am MgtrolL the music is trying to describe something otherworldly.  So getting the right pitch for performing must be right, it takes quite a lot to sing and play like this!  The world is one of fiction so it is good to let go and be absorbed in the story telling, massive old forests, and ancient lands and troll`s.  It takes a long time to get the music to a level that I am happy with.  As dexterity when playing his hindered by my clumsiness, so I have to really work at this constantly.  Being dyslexic is part of it  when playing even though the song structure is very simplistic it still takes time to get it right.  Also editing songs and music to make sure it is of a quality that I am happy with.



The whole thing with troll`s I find this such a excellent form of subject matter for discussion, it is great to write about such things.  I like the process of creating this world with its fantastical characters,creating the geography and the landscape to make it all more believable.  I am still in the process of working on this.  Which is good as it is an evolving process that I shall work over time, other character and story lines will appear Which will in turn help write new songs and music.

THE TROLL THAT JOURNEYED THROUGH TIME

A long long time ago lived a troll right on the edge of the great forest Moorsfest; it looked out northwards to the mountain range Raasvoarsberg.  Off in the distance the mountains had a mysterious blue look to them ominous but also beautiful, the troll’s name was Snø troll as he was born in the depths of winter long ago.  It is believed roughly eight hundred years ago, from what tales of these regions could tell.  He dwelt underneath roots of vast pines that shot up into the sky, his home was cavernous with many rooms he was a fairly big troll so he needed the room.  He preferred his own company and did not like the interference of others especially people!  Snø troll would wander deep into the forest hunting wild boar and other creatures and spend time talking to the trees as he went about his business, he had long black matted hair a large snout. And large pointy ears of which he had great hearing. Massive hands that he had used to make his home, and a long tail that was furry too, he wore a rough woollen cloak of dark colours and a long woven tunic with intricate designs with runes written into them about times of old.

Snø troll had seen many changes in his long life down in the valley at a place called Midvaard, were the men of the south stayed.  Things for the most part had been harmonious mainly because the people were not aware of his existence, the odd man or woman had been scared to death by the troll’s bark on occasion but that was about it.  However what saddened him the most was all the trees that had been cut down to build the village of Midvaard.  Its ominous stave church that appeared to dominate the landscape and its dreaded ringing bells that chimed out each day, and all the small houses that made up the settlement.  These trees had been known to Snø troll age old trees with gnarly bark and fathomless roots lost forever to build mans church, when the troll felt exceptionally melancholic about this he would wander further into the forest.  To think deeply about the misgivings of the folk of Midvaard, and talk to the trees about all the needless loss this took him a long time as these discussions went back a long way almost out of memory.  Not for the Sitka spruce or the Oak or for that matter the troll, nearby was a large lake of deep green looking water overhanging on its shore were many trees.  The water was deep and cool many creatures lived here and some known to Snø troll, it was tranquil and peaceful here no people he would on occasion meet other troll’s and debate the problem of the men folk.  The troll’s had not forgot the time before the people arrived and how peaceful it had been, there had been uprisings the troll’s had stormed Midvaard to rid the valley and forest of men folk.  This had not been fruitful as the people still stayed, they would sit quietly and remember the old times when it was their world alone.  Looking up into the night sky and gaze at the stars with a deep pendulous blue and not have to engage in nocturnal attacks and being pushed further into the forest, and in winter look at the alluring Northern Lights. The wonder of this magical site all the forest dwellers would look up awe struck with the display of the haunting green lights above. This could still be done of course but with the knowledge that folk were around, they also hunted in the forest taking more than they needed.  They were greedy and loud!  Although some of them never made it back to their village, as the troll’s and the trees would trick them so that they would get hopelessly lost.  One particular day two brothers met a grizzly end arrogant they were and eager for hunting, they made so much noise it was surprise that they caught anything.  Their names were Odd & Tulla they praised themselves on how clever they were in their hunting prowess and would boast about their escapades, this particular day they had caught more than their share of things.  Greedy men they were, loud and boisterous laughing and joking as they went.  It was just before dawn and Snø troll had been hunting himself and seeing old troll friends of his, he walked along a well-worn track that he knew.  He could here Odd & Tulla long before he saw them, around a large tree stood the men frozen to the spot.  The troll loomed over them his eyes penetrated into them, the troll stood over them Odd & Tulla speechless their bragging had dissipated and looked fearful horror struck they dropped their catch and ran howling Snø troll let out a large chuckle to himself frightening people was fun!  This was a little strange as a lot of men that the troll had encountered were often confrontational, and would try and goad the troll but he was to smart and wise for such foolishness. He was surprised by their actions he had seen these two men before causing an awful disturbance were ever they went.   So off he went back to his home, there was a warm glow still in the hearth a golden orange, he put a couple more logs on the fire and retreated to his chamber and bed which was carved out of the roots of the trees.  There were runes scribed into them telling stories of long ago with the wandering soothsayer Laarg, whom he had known for ages and ages. Laarg would come threw at least once a year and spend time with the troll, and inform him of all the goings on in the mountains of Raasvoarsberg.  Grimmodhr Troll was a fierce troll he had the knowledge of metallurgy and made hammers and swords, an known for his skill in this lore.  His furnaces burned bright in his cave under the great mountains, he had mined deep into the very depths of the earth.  His hammers and swords were beautiful and splendid and held in high regard among the folk of this age-old land, of trolls and goblins and wizards.   Snø troll knew him but slept on in a deep sleep and dreamt of older times before the people came, when he could just here the sounds of the forest and the birds singing on the plain all in harmony with nature.  Long before the felling of ancient trees and diminishing the forest boundaries, it was a constant battle between men and the trolls of the forest.  He awoke at dusk the forest was settling down and its nocturnal creatures were beginning to stir, and he could see the setting sun away in the west a melting orange sphere.  Into a deepening Neptune sky.  Owls could be heard overhead, in the highest trees as darkness was upon the woods.  A light wind stirred the trees blowing gently, with the quick passing of time everything became gloomy and blackened and shapes blurred.  Our troll surfaced and still a little puzzled by the reaction of Odd and Tulla, it was not their usual behaviour.  So Snø Troll began to descend further in a long walk to the falls and the hear The Fossegrimen play his haunting laments on the violin, the troll could listen for hours as he played it would help him think.  Pondering among his many thoughts he knew something was going on, so he pondered on this for hours.   As the violin played on and the murk from the waters permeated around, as time went on battles between the men and trolls and other woodland creatures.  Over long periods of time more of the forest was destroyed by the folk of Midvaard and other areas that became populated, the age-old forest was heavily denuded and its inhabitants were forced back further in to what remained of Moorsfest.  Some of the trolls and goblins went to the mountains, owls and other birds all fled as the ancient trees were torn down.  A bereft time and our troll remaining saddened by what he saw over hundreds of years, of persecution and war now well over a millennia later here he still dwells.  Looking down on the modern town of Midvaard, with its streetlights and cars and noise and still the stave church with its steep spire.  An Snøtroll retreat back to his home ever changing by mans interference.  All the stories were gradually being forgotten, our troll remembered them.  The melancholy that now filled him was overwhelming, and his home always moving and gradually growing more still with time.  Still upon dark nights in midwinter gazing at the Aurora Borealis, its flowing light of wonderful colours majestically haunting above.  However the desire for Snøtroll to plunder the town of Midvaard were sadly gone, he would go by quietly on his way along the dwindling forest path.