Illråde

Medieval instruments meet hard hitting drums. Blending the raw sounds of the historical proto-violin – bowed lyre, nyckelharpa and flute with modern production elements. A unique and immersive listening experience for anyone who loves atmospheric music with a powerful twist.

Illråde is a solo project that emerged in late 2022 as I began exploring Ableton and recording a Bowed Lyre crafted by Billy Horne in Turku. From the start, the vision was clear: to fuse sub-heavy, powerful grooves with the raw tones of medieval instruments.

The debut EP lays the foundation for my sound. Looking ahead, I anticipate the next release to be faster and more dynamic, perhaps with some sort of collaboration with other bands/vocalists, shifting away from the atmospheric elements of the first.

Musically, I draw inspiration from pioneers like Metallica, not just for their sound but for their ethos—staying true to themselves rather than conforming to a scene. Helloween has also played a key role in shaping my approach, particularly their ability to balance seriousness with playfulness. Marcin Przybyłowicz, composer of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, has been a key inspiration in using tradtional folk instruments to convey storytelling. And then there’s Heilung, whose live performances left a lasting impression on me, reinforcing the primal energy I aim to capture.

Daniel Illman — Helsinki, Finland