Oakenshield

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The Ironage Records folk metal compilation CD is now available to buy directly from Oakenshield at £5 (plus p&p). If you would like a copy, please email [email protected] with your name and address.
Demo Reviews
"This demo is better than most full-length albums from much more well known artists" - Noktorn 8/10
"Many other one-man projects do not create music so perfectly as Oakenshield" - OsnaMetal 5/5 (in German)
Album Reviews
“Oakenshield’s Folk Metal captures the listener from the first second on.” - Metal.de (9/10)
“A first strike which does not have to shy away from comparisons with established bands of the genre.” - Nocturnal Hall (8.5/10)
"Spoken word passages, pipes & violin furthermore deepen the great atmosphere on this release so “Gylfaginning” has become a beautiful trip to coasts long forgotten." - Voices from the Dark Side Magazine
Click HERE for the Metal Message Oakenshield interview
The Story
Oakenshield began life in 2004 under the name of Nifelhel, a studio project of young Englishman Ben Corkhill. The early sound of the project was more brutal and war-like than the music you hear today, featuring no keyboards or clean vocals. After two self-produced and self-released CD’s under Nifelhel, Ben thought it was time to take a different approach to the music, and resolved to create Oakenshield. The new music would prove to be far more epic, bringing in more of a folk-like aspect while also introducing some progressive elements. Rather than producing lyrics about battles and journeys as had been done with Nifelhel, Ben wanted to produce a concept album. After reading through the legends, myths and lore of the Old Norse mythology, it was decided that the first book of the Prose Edda, "Gylfaginning" was the perfect choice for the album’s theme. Writing the material for the album started almost immediately and after some time the full eleven tracks were completed. In early 2007 four of these tracks – as well as a cover of Bathory’s "Home Of Once Brave” – were selected for a demo entitled simply "Gylfaginning Demo”. After spreading the word online, Oakenshield started to gain some acknowledgement through the internet, with a 7/10 review at Metal Storm and an upcoming review in the Pagan Herald. Demos were also sent out to various labels in Europe. Einheit Produktionen contacted Ben after hearing the CD, interested in working with him to produce and release Oakenshield’s first full-length. Eventually, after some months of emailing back and forth between Ben and the label, Oakenshield was officially signed to Einheit Produktionen in July 2007.
The Name
"Oakenshield" is taken from one of Tolkien's dwarves, Thorin Oakenshield. It is a literal English translation of the Old Norse "Eikinskjaldi", one of the first dwarves of the Norse mythology. Thorin Oakenshield was named so after he used an oak tree branch to defend himself when his shield was shattered at the battle of Azanulbizar. Sjúrður the dragon slayer was also said to have torn an oaken log from the ground in Regin's Ballad, which influenced Tokien's story of how Thorin received his title.
Oakenshield is not a supporter of National Socialism or any kind of Aryan supremacist ideology. Oakenshield is not affiliated with any political or religious organisation.