History

Saille is a self-defined epic black metal band consistently incorporating real classical instruments (e.g. cello, violin, cornet, trumpet, euphonium, grand piano, hobo) into their compositions.

Lyrically Saille handles "the fearful, the uncanny and the weird". On earlier releases: Death rites and Forces of Nature.

Sail or Saille is the Irish name of the fourth letter of the Ogham alphabet, meaning "willow".
Pronunciation : [sahl-yeh]

Origins:

Saille was found by Dries Gaerdelen [keyboards] in 2008, in order to create his favourite style of music (melodic black metal with a threatening feel, like Tartaros, Limbonic Art and Keep Of Kalessin). The collaboration with Jonathan Vanderwal [guitars/vocals] was a logical result of their longstanding cooperation in their previous band Mortifer. Filip Dupont of Gorath participated in writing lyrics and helping with the vocals. Shortly after Gert Monden [drums] of In-Quest was added to the line-up the development of the songs could proceed.

Recording debut:

The recordings for the first album 'Irreversible Decay' started at the end of 2009 in Shumcot Studio. During these sessions they met Reinier Schenk [guitars] of Fleshmould and he became a member of the band. As a result of the addition of several classical trained guest musicians the sessions were spread over several months. The debut album was finalized in September 2010. After being contacted by several labels, Saille chose to work with Code666 records and the album 'Irreversible Decay' was released March 4th 2011. A music video was made for the song 'Plaigh Allais'.

Live 2011-2012:

At first Saille was only intended as a studio project. However, it soon became clear the music should be brought to life. With the addition of Didier Vancampo [bass], a live-band was formed and several shows followed. Thanks to the good reviews and their solid live-reputation, Saille played amongst acts as Melechesh, Izegrim, Gorath and more.The live-shows of the first album were concluded with a spot on Belgium's biggest metalfest Graspop Metal Meeting 2012. At the end of 2012 another highlight was their appearance on Eindhoven Metal Meeting [The Netherlands].

Recording successor:

In July 2012 the band hit the Shumcot Studio again to record their second album entitled 'Ritu'. With lyrics inspired by death rites in ancient cultures, combined with new member Dennie Grondelaers'[vocals] interest for H.P. Lovecraft and Cthulhu, the next album had a much darker setting. Again classical skilled guest musicians were invited to create the irreplaceable real sounds: flugelhörn, cello, violin, théremin, tuba, trombone and much more.

After two months of intensive recording sessions, the final mix was finished in September and sent to the Norwegian mastering specialist Tom Kvålsvoll (Strype Audio). Known for mastering black metal classics Mayhem, Emperor, Arcturus, Limbonic Art, Ulver, Vreid and many others. On January 18th 2013 'Ritu' saw the light of day as a digipak and as a limited to 15 pieces "ritual box" (including both albums sealed with wax inside parchment, an evoking scroll engraved by hand, 3 customized tarot cards, and 3 Cthulhu parchments with exclusive Lovecraftian artwork). A music video was made for the song 'Blood Libel'.

Live 2013-2014:

After the release of the 2nd album, Saille faced an intensive year. They embarked on their first tour in January 2013, with Transylvanian black metal legends Negură Bunget. Followed by more gigs in Belgium and the Netherlands, supporting bands like Textures, Von, Winterfylleth, In-Quest and The Monolith Death Cult. During summer, Saille was invited to perform on several festivals like AMF (with Napalm Death), Vlamrock (with Exhumed, Belphegor, Rotting Christ) and Metal Méan (with Marduk, Dying Fetus).
In September, Saille went to the UK for some gigs as support to Winterfylleth, a British band they consider as friends since they first met on Graspop 2012. In the same month Saille introduced Kevin De Leener as their new and permanent drummer. The band released another official video, a live recording of the track 'Tephra' (captured at Metal Méan) in November 2013 and went to Denmark for the first time for a headlining position on Black Winter Fest, Copenhagen.

Still playing gigs in 2014, Saille prepared the third album. Like the year before, performing on many stages in Belgium and The Netherlands, but in April they set foot on English soil again, this time sharing stages with Ethereal (UK). Other mentionable gigs were the very successful Tongeren Metal Fest (with Asphyx, Angel Witch), a show supporting Carach Angren (NL) and last, but most definitely not least the honour of playing in the Ancienne Belgique, Belgium's nicest venue, sharing the stage with Merrimack and (The True) Mayhem. Eventually, in July, Saille played in Germany for the first time.

'Eldritch' (2014):

In May the recordings commenced in different studios for a different approach. Again classical instruments were added. Mixing and mastering was done by Klas Blomgren from Sweden (known for his work for Svart's album 'Det personliga helvetets spiral'). The street date for 'Eldritch' was November 10th, and again the album was released by Code666.

(source: Saille, January 2015)
(discography updated in February 2015)