Wilderun


Wilderun is an American progressive metal band from Boston, Massachusetts. Originally being founded as a solo band from 2008, the band came to fruition in 2012 and currently consists of vocalist, guitarist, and founder Evan Berry, guitarist Joe Gettler, drummer Jon Teachey, and Dan Müller and Wayne Ingram for orchestrations, bass, and synths. They have released four albums and two remixed singles that can only be found on their Bandcamp as of 2025.
The band name originates from The Sword of Shannara Trilogy, a novel series that founder Evan Berry has read and admires.

History

Back in 2010, Wilderun slowly formed when Wayne Ingram noticed a lone flyer on a bulletin board to which he recalled saying, “Looking for members for symphonic folk metal band" as he was walking through the halls of rehearsal rooms at his music school. Ingram found it suiting to his interests, tore off one of the flyer's strips that had Evan Berry's email and contacted him. At the time, Evan had been experimenting with a live setup on a few prototype tracks for their debut album Olden Tales & Deathly Trails, and decided that he would be the only guitarist.
About a year later, Evan emailed Ingram that his previous live setup failed, and Ingram, being the only person to contact him about his symphonic, folk metal project was told to meet in person. At Ingram's apartment, Evan presented his work-in-progress songs and reached out, wanting to work with someone who could create orchestral compositions. They both agreed to record a small demo, with both being guitarists and Ingram expanding onto his orchestral ideas for a few songs, which would result into their debut album.
In early 2012, the band solidified at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, to which Dan Müller mentions that Evan "reached out to the people he knew in the metal scene", noting that it was an easy process due to the institute's small community.
In 2019, they released their breakout studio album Veil of Imagination, and in 2022, they released their fourth studio album Epigone, which amassed admiration and respect from reviewers alike.

Style

Wilderun is known for combining folk music with symphonic arrangements, featuring extreme melodeath gutturals and distorted guitar riffs. The band has been likened to Opeth but with instruments more akin to classical film scores. Both bands are mentioned to "go from zero to one hundred in a heartbeat it is this 'beauty and the beast' contrast that makes them both memorable."
From an interview with Dan Müller, he explains that the band "wanted to an Americana folk metal-style of sound and thought name really fits with that goal", aiming to have a "wild-west" sound and avoiding genre stereotypes.

Band members

Current

  • Evan Berry – guitars, lead vocals
  • Dan Müller – orchestration, bass, synths
  • Wayne Ingram – orchestration, guitars
  • Joe Gettler - guitars
  • Jon Teachey - drums

    Discography

Studio albums

  • Olden Tales & Deathly Trails
  • Sleep at the Edge of the Earth
  • Veil of Imagination
  • ''Epigone''

    Singles (remixes)

  • How Stands the Bossa 'Round?
  • ''Far From Where Bits Unfurl''