Waldgeflüster

Waldgeflüster embodies like few other German formations the perfect synthesis of melodic black metal and deeply rooted nature connection. Since their formation in 2005 in Sankt Pölten, Lower Austria, by Jan "Winterherz" van Berlekom, the now Bavaria-based band has evolved into one of the most important representatives of "Emotional Black Metal" in the German-speaking world, continuously redefining the boundaries between extreme metal, folk, and atmospheric spirituality.

Originally conceived as a solo project, Waldgeflüster emerged from Winterherz's dissatisfaction with his death metal band Scarcross, as he couldn't realize his connection to black metal there. The first demo "Stimmen im Wind" (2006, Irminsul Records) already laid the foundation for Waldgeflüster's characteristic blend of black metal elements, acoustic passages, and folkloristic influences that consciously turned away from traditional black metal Satanism, instead celebrating Germanic mythology and nature worship.

The artistic breakthrough came in 2009 with the debut album "Herbstklagen" (Black Blood Records/Einheit Produktionen), which found international recognition as an "ideology-free, melancholically dark ode to nature." The subsequent concept album "Femundsmarka – Eine Reise in drei Kapiteln" (2011) documented the transformative trekking experience of brothers Winterherz and P. through Norway and definitively established Waldgeflüster as a pioneering force of atmospheric black metal.

With "Meine Fesseln" (2014) and the historic performance at Summer Breeze Festival, Waldgeflüster transformed from a solo project into a complete band. This transformation marked the beginning of a new era, further fueled by the switch to Nordvis Produktion (2016) and later to AOP Records (2021). Albums like "Ruinen" (2016), "Mondscheinsonaten" (2019), and the Bavarian masterpiece "Dahoam" (2021) cemented the band as one of the most innovative forces in modern black metal.

The monumental double work "Knochengesänge I & II" (AOP Records, November 2025) now represents the preliminary pinnacle of Waldgeflüster's artistic evolution. After four years of intensive work, both parts are dedicated to the philosophical theme of mortality and legacy. While Part I represents the characteristic Waldgeflüster album, Part II explores radically new territories by having the songs from Part I "destroyed to ruins" and "creating something new from the debris." With high-profile guests like Austin Lunn (Panopticon) and Alboin (Eis), the work demonstrates the international networking and respect that Waldgeflüster has earned in the scene.

Since 2024 reinforced by bassist Martin Schirmann, Waldgeflüster today stands for an uncompromising connection of technical excellence, emotional depth, and spiritual authenticity that reaches far beyond the boundaries of classical black metal. Founded in autumn 2005 by multi-instrumentalist Winterherz, Waldgeflüster began as a solo project before evolving into a full band in 2014, becoming a prolific live force across Europe and the U.S., appearing at Summer Breeze, Ragnarök Festival, and collaborating with key figures across the European black metal underground.

Discography

Studio Albums:

• Herbstklagen (Black Blood Records/Einheit Produktionen, 2009)
• Femundsmarka – Eine Reise in drei Kapiteln (Black Blood Records/Einheit Produktionen, 2011)
• Meine Fesseln (Black Blood Records/Einheit Produktionen, 2014)
• Ruinen (Nordvis Produktion, 2016)
• Mondscheinsonaten (Nordvis Produktion, 2019)
• Stimmen im Wind 2020 (Nordvis Produktion, 2020)
• Dahoam (AOP Records, 2021)
• Knochengesänge I & II (AOP Records, November 2025)

EPs & Splits:

• Stimmen im Wind (Irminsul Records, 2006)
• Traumschänder / Håkan's Song (Split with Panopticon, Nordvis/Bindrune, 2016)
• Unter Bronzenen Kronen (AOP Records, 2023)