What makes Once Upon an Era by Waylander notable?

This album helped solidify Waylander’s presence in the folk metal scene, receiving positive critical reception for its innovative fusion of styles. It has inspired a wave of Celtic-infused metal bands in the years following its release, marking it as a significant entry in the genre's evolution. Once Upon an Era is Waylander's debut album, released in early 1994 as they emerged from the Northern Irish metal scene. At this time, the band was establishing its identity, blending Celtic folk elements with the aggression of black metal, which would define their sound and influence future acts within the genre.

How many songs are on Once Upon an Era?

Once Upon an Era has 5 tracks, running approximately 24 minutes.

Once Upon an Era

Waylander · 1994

24 min · 5 tracks · black metal

Celtic melodies intertwine with fierce black metal riffs, creating an epic soundscape that celebrates myth and history.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Born to the Fight — Opening with an anthemic intensity, this track encapsulates the album's spirit of resilience and defiance through powerful riffs and chant-like vocals.
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Once Upon an Era — The title track blends haunting melodies with thunderous instrumentation, embodying the thematic core of storytelling and heritage that permeates the album.
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Ashes to Ashes — This song showcases complex arrangements and lyrical depth, highlighting Waylander's ability to weave narrative elements into their music seamlessly.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

51 /100

Foothills

Higher than 34% of albums we've rated

The blend of Celtic melodies with black metal creates a unique sound, though it shows some signs of a debut release.

What we noticed

The first track opens with a traditional Celtic melody before transitioning into aggressive black metal riffs, establishing the album's duality.
Each song features alternating sections of melodic passages and intense blast beats, creating a dynamic contrast throughout the EP.
The final track incorporates a slower tempo and atmospheric elements, providing a sense of closure that differs from the preceding intensity.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Born to the Fight 3:52
2 Ashes to Ashes 4:21
3 This Can Not Be 5:14
4 Once Upon an Era 6:08
5 Blood Lust 4:31

What to play next

Listen next

Reawakening Pride Once Lost

1998

Full Waylander discography Artists like Waylander

Celtic metal black metal folk metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata