By Simona Mihalca 
Forged in the fires of Barcelona’s black metal scene, Gjallarhorn’s Wrath rises as a new force in blackened death orchestral metal, bearing the legacy of its predecessor, Oblivion.
Oblivion, an atmospheric black metal band founded in 2001, made its mark on the Spanish metal scene with their profound exploration of light versus darkness. Their lineup Lord Ashler on vocals, Arash on guitar, and Javi Iron on drums produced a demo and played shows across Spain, including a celebrated tour with the iconic Norwegian band Ancient. Yet, as the years passed, each member’s path diverged, with Javi Iron transitioning into a successful career in film and media composition. The band disbanded, leaving a void in the black metal community, but its legacy endured.x
Featuring Alex on vocals, Lord Ashler on bass, Javi Iron on drums, keys, and composition, and Arash on guitars, the group blends brutality with grandeur, channeling years of experience into something bold and uncompromising. With a debut album on the horizon under Non Serviam Records, Gjallarhorn’s Wrath is ready to carve its own path and challenge conventions. We sat down with the band to talk about their rebirth, their creative philosophy, and what it means to sound the Gjallarhorn in 2025.
Q: How did the idea of transforming Oblivion into Gjallarhorn’s Wrath first take shape?
A: After we disbanded as Oblivion, each member went their separate ways, but contact was never completely lost. Some of us continued making music in one form or another, and from time to time, the topic would come up about doing something again, even if it was just a song or two just for the sake of it. A couple of years ago, though, this came up again only this time it was much more serious. We were at a point in our lives where we had both the will and the means. We also had a bunch of ideas too, so we decided it was the right time to go ahead with the project.
Q: What lessons from the early 2000s scene and Oblivion do you carry into this new project?
A: Our early musical influences are still there, but now they’ve been widened and enriched. Our musical knowledge and skill have improved as well, so we’re able to take things to the next level. We want to create an identity of our own, without comparing ourselves to anyone. That is something we consider essential in a scene as saturated as this one, with hundreds of bands popping up on a daily basis.
Q: Do you feel more like a continuation of Oblivion or a complete rebirth?
A: We’re the same people, so the essence, so to speak, inevitably remains the same. Initially though, we did consider it a sort of continuation, but we soon realized that this new chapter was in fact something else, an entity of its own. That’s precisely why we decided to change the band’s name.
Q: What was it like to reunite after years of pursuing different paths?
A: We have accumulated quite a lot of experience and knowledge over the years, and that’s made creating music easier. Granted that a lot has happened and changed in our lives. But, to be honest, for me it felt like no time had passed. That’s what usually happens when you meet up with an old friend you haven’t seen in a long time. You realize that deep down, they’re still the same person, and it’s almost as if it was yesterday since the last time.
Q: What role do orchestral and cinematic elements play in shaping your music?
A: Theatre and drama are an inalienable part of what we do. A form of escapism. Although the orchestra is always there, I feel it plays more of a supporting or reinforcing role. For me, the main drive for the songs is the riff, the guitars. On top of that, the orchestra provides atmosphere, dynamism, and punctuates certain moments to enhance the emotion the song is trying to convey.
Q: Black metal often thrives on atmosphere. How do you balance that with the brutality of death metal?
A: As I just said, these songs are much more guitar heavy, and that of course is a factor. Then there’s also the role of Alex, our vocalist. He has a wide vocal range that includes some quite deep growls. So I don’t think it was a conscious decision, but rather a series of factors that came together naturally. A song always calls for something, and our music fits quite well with the vocal deliverance you would expect from death metal. I personally like the idea of mixing styles; I think variety results in more interesting songs.
Q: Do you see your songs as telling one overarching story, or are they individual mythic episodes?
A: Every song on the album is a self-contained story dealing with a variety of themes. That being said, it’s also true that we wanted to give the album some sort of underlaying coherence. This is reflected, for example, in the use of recurring themes like the very key the album is named after. Perhaps in the future we’ll explore this direction further. Time will tell.
Q: Do you write songs collectively or does each member bring their own completed visions to the table?
A: Typically, Javi Iron would present a first draft of the song, and then we all proceed to polish it together. We discuss structures and parts, and once everything is agreed upon, each of us focus on the final arrangements.
Q: What is one hidden detail in your music that listeners might overlook?
A: We could talk about themes and layers, but we’d rather let everyone make the songs their own and reach their own conclusions.
Q: What do you want the audience to feel when experiencing Gjallarhorn’s Wrath live?
A: At this stage, there are no plans to do live shows. If we eventually did, we would definitely want to involve the audience. The work is done; the album is there for you to listen to at home. Now, live, it’s time to let the emotions soak in. We don’t want to dictate which ones, as that’s everyone’s prerogative. What we want is to transport people to another reality and leave no one indifferent.
Q: How do you want Gjallarhorn’s Wrath to be remembered within the black/death metal world?
A: As a force to be seriously reckoned with. An entity refusing to conform to any norms other than its own, never afraid to challenge the established order to follow its own path. Pioneers in a sea of mediocrity.