Wilderun
American symphonic progressive metal from Boston
Wilderun is a progressive metal band from Boston, Massachusetts. It began as a solo project in 2008 and became a full band in 2012. The current lineup includes founder Evan Berry (vocals, guitar), Joe Gettler (guitar), Jon Teachey (drums), and Dan Müller and Wayne Ingram (orchestrations, bass, synths). The group has released four studio albums and two remixed singles, available exclusively on their Bandcamp page. The name "Wilderun" comes from *The Sword of Shannara Trilogy*, a book series admired by Berry. The band’s formation started in 2010 when Ingram spotted a flyer at his music school seeking members for a symphonic folk metal project. He contacted Berry, who was then working on early tracks for the debut album *Olden Tales & Deathly Trails* and planned to be the sole guitarist. After Berry’s initial live setup fell through, he met Ingram at his apartment to share unfinished songs and sought someone to handle orchestral parts. They recorded a demo together, which evolved into the debut album. In early 2012, the group solidified at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where Berry reached out to acquaintances in the local metal scene, a process made easy by the school’s small community. Wilderun’s breakout album, *Veil of Imagination*, arrived in 2019, followed by a signing to Century Media Records. Their fourth album, *Epigone*, came out in 2022. On August 19, 2026, the band announced on Instagram that Dan Müller would play his final show with them on August 23, citing that “the rollercoaster of the band life no longer suits” him. Musically, Wilderun blends folk music with symphonic arrangements, using extreme melodic death metal growls and distorted guitar riffs. They have been described as folk metal, progressive metal, symphonic metal, melodic death metal, and progressive rock. According to Müller, the band aimed for an “Americana folk metal-style” with a “wild-west” sound, deliberately avoiding genre clichés.
Quick Facts
- Background
- group_or_band
- Landscape
- yes
- Origin
- Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
- Genre
- Folk metal / progressive metal / symphonic metal / melodic death metal / progressive rock
- Years Active
- 2008–present
- Label
- Century Media Records / Independent (2008–2020)
- Current Members
- Evan Berry / Dan Müller / Wayne Ingram / Joe Gettler / Jon Teachey
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The band name originates from The Sword of Shannara Trilogy, a novel series that founder Evan Berry has read and admires. Back in 2010, Wilderun slowly formed when Wayne Ingram noticed a lone flyer on a bulletin board to which he recalled saying, 'Looking for members for [a] symphonic folk metal band' as he was walking through the halls of rehearsal rooms at his music school. Ingram found it suiting to his interests, tore off one of the flyer's strips that had Evan Berry's email and contacted him. At the time, Evan had been experimenting with a live setup on a few prototype tracks for their debut album Olden Tales & Deathly Trails, and decided that he would be the only guitarist. About a year later, Evan emailed Ingram that his previous live setup failed, and Ingram, being the only person to contact him about his symphonic, folk metal project was told to meet in person. At Ingram's apartment, Evan presented his work-in-progress songs and reached out, wanting to work with someone who could create orchestral compositions. They both agreed to record a small demo, with both being guitarists and Ingram expanding onto his orchestral ideas for a few songs, which would result into their debut album. In early 2012, the band solidified at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, to which Dan Müller mentions that Evan 'reached out to the people he knew in the metal scene', noting that it was an easy process due to the institute's small community. In 2019, they released their breakout studio album Veil of Imagination, before signing to Century Media Records. In 2022, they released their fourth studio album Epigone.
Reader's Guide
Wilderun is known for combining folk music with symphonic arrangements, featuring extreme melodeath gutturals and distorted guitar riffs, resulting in the band and its material having been described as folk metal, progressive metal, symphonic metal, melodic death metal, and progressive rock. From an interview with Dan Müller, he explains that the band 'wanted to [compose] an Americana folk metal-style of sound and thought [the] name ["Wilderun"] really fits with that goal', aiming to have a 'wild-west' sound and avoiding genre stereotypes.
Did You Know?
- Wilderun formed after Wayne Ingram found a flyer for a symphonic folk metal band at his music school.
- Their debut album Olden Tales & Deathly Trails was released in 2012.
- They signed to Century Media Records after their 2019 album Veil of Imagination.
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