Whether more or less active, present in the media and on stages across the country or not, the Montenegrin metal scene has always offered interesting sound and narrative concepts. From Abhoth to KK Streetbangers and Crowd of Misfits to Abzofran and others, the extreme guitar sound lived in Montenegro from enthusiastic fans. Some of them are members of the new group Willow, which released the first single inspired by a creature from Slavic mythology, with which the greats of literature and film later terrified people around the world.
The song "Vampir" can be heard on the YouTube channel of the four-member band from Podgorica, it was recorded in the Zeta Desert studio, the mix and master was signed by Pejović Guitars studio, and the cover was by Oblitus Lore.
One of the members talked about the new band for "Vijesti", Miloš Klikovac, known to the domestic audience from groups such as Post Mortem and Zaimus, whose pseudonym in this case is Reverend Ignis the Cruel, while the other members do not want to reveal their identities, and perform under the names Marquis de Kaamos, Drakaina the Sorceress and Domenico Sant`Angelo .
The story of Willow began in a time of fear, but not because of vampires, but because of the coronavirus that was sweeping the world.
"In the beginning, there were a couple of unfinished songs that I created as 'one-man project' tracks, for which I did not have any significant plans. Then, in the summer of 2020, during the period when a deadly virus was ravaging the planet, the then unnamed band was approached by Marquis de Kaamos, with the intention of filling the void and bringing esoteric things to the whole story. It was in that dark hour for humanity that the idea of founding a band in Montenegro was born that would present our vision of music and understanding of it to the audience. And then the name Willow came up for the first time! Soon Domenico Sant'Angelo joined the band, followed by Drakaina the Sorceress. With them, the band takes its final form", said Klikovac.
"Vampire" heralds Willow's upcoming debut album. The band says that the release will be diverse musically and lyrically, but that this song manages to convey what can be expected.
"The inspiration for the story of the Vampire comes mostly from the legends that come from these parts, but also from world literature, films, plays... By mixing all these stories, Willow creates a song about a beast with an irresistible offer, a desire for eternal life and ominous circumstances that that eternity brings", explained Klikovac.
As he revealed, the album has been finished for some time and the search for a publisher is on the way. Like many other Montenegrin bands, Willow will most likely look for him outside the country's borders, and maybe even outside the ex-Yu area.
"We planned to release the single 'Vampir' first, in order to attract the attention of a more serious publishing house. The attention of some suspicious character, who is standing at the crossroads with a contract that says 'Soul for glory - sign with blood'. (laughs). Basically, as soon as we find a publisher with an offer that will meet some of our modest expectations, the album is here... We hope soon", said the guitarist.
Some of the aforementioned pioneers who keep Montenegrin metal alive are involved in Willow's work, either as band members or outside collaborators. Their rich experience is of great importance, Klikovac points out.
“Experience in recording and creating songs is a really facilitating factor. The collaboration with the people who participated in the realization of this single also helped. You can read more about who participated on our pages on social networks", he explains and adds that the same people are always simmering some other projects as well.
When asked what the position of metals is in Montenegro today, Klikovac states with regret that it is very bad.
"There are still people recording albums, while live there are maybe two, three bands that do an average of a gig a year. I expect that the younger generations will make a step forward and try themselves on the stages of Montenegro, because if something is not done about it soon, the end of metal music in our country is inevitable. I would add that it is a branch of culture that has never taken root in our country...
"Let's not slander now, there are people there who patch up the shortcomings. With enormous effort, they put Montenegro on the list, among the greats of the world underground metal scene and extreme music in general. Finally, I want to greet them all with a deep bow and say that 'There is no retreat, there is no teaches'", Klikovac pointed out.
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