A massive thank you to LN for taking the time to sit down with The Riff Report and answer our questions. 🖤
We absolutely love getting the opportunity to shine a spotlight on bands doing something genuinely different, and LN certainly fit that description — dark, atmospheric, theatrical and unmistakably Welsh. 🐉🌲
It’s been brilliant getting to learn more about the band, the people behind the music, their influences and the world they’re creating through LN.
Diolch yn fawr, LN! 🤘🖤
⚔️ Let’s start at the beginning…
1. For anyone discovering LN for the very first time, who are you and what should they expect when they step into your world?
We are a 5 piece metal band from the North East of England bringing Viking Mythology and Pagan madness to the metal scene. For those who have not experienced LN before, get ready for a full on, immersive and visceral show – like nothing you’ve ever seen before. We are not just any typical metal band, we deliver something truly different; symmetry between pure brutality and sheer elegance.
2. Every great band has an origin story. How did LN first come together, and when did you realise this wasn’t just another project?
Our Shieldmaiden LN Hirst and her trusted sidekick Gwae Bloom started the band and knew from the beginning that this would turn into something special. Once we formed the line up we are today (approx. 2.5 years ago) we knew we had to push this as hard as we could for as long as we could. This is only the beginning for LN.
3. Newcastle isn’t exactly short of brilliant rock and metal bands. How has growing up in the North East shaped LN?
Newcastle and the North East in general is the home of an extensive amount of history (not only in relation to the Vikings but also the Romans, Mining and more!) and is a huge part of who we are as people. While we are scary and tough Vikings on stage, the Peasants who have met us know we are a welcoming, talkative, daft group of best mates that enjoy creating art together and sharing it with like minded people. Basically, we’re nice and not dicks!
🪓 Viking Metal & Pagan Inspiration
4. Your music is packed with Norse mythology, folklore and ancient stories. Where did your fascination with that world begin?
Being from the North East, we wanted to honor our Viking heritage and history, which we haven’t seen anyone else in our area do previously (which is surprising!). We have a love for folk music and metal music, so fusing all of these aspects together just made sense to us.
5. Is there one myth or legendary figure you’ve always wanted to write about but haven’t tackled yet?
There are many stories in the Great Eddas and in our own lives and experiences that we haven’t tackled yet and that’s the beauty of LN…who knows where we’ll go next or what we choose to create.
6. How much research goes into your lyrics before you start writing?
We never write about a topic that we don’t understand or doesn’t mean something to us. We always research when writing about mythology or history as we want it to be as accurate as possible, while also having an artist twist. Take ‘Fenrir’ for instance – this is the story of the wolf Fenrir who was foretold to bring upon Ragnarok. We took the story and incorporated our own fears of the society we are living in today to create a ballad that makes you hopeful for the future.
7. If Odin himself turned up at one of your gigs… would he survive the pit?
Odin would be the owner of the pit – that dude knows how to mosh!
🎤 Songwriting
8. What’s the usual songwriting process? Does somebody bring the riffs first, or do the stories come before the music?
There is no definite process with LN, every song starts differently – sometimes it’s a riff, sometimes it’s lyrics, sometimes we’ll be jamming and accidentally create something magical.
9. How do you balance crushing metal with traditional folk influences without one overpowering the other?
We pride ourselves on the fact that no two of our songs sound the same. Some focus on heavier aspects, while others focus on a softer, more folk approach. We want to evoke feelings and reactions from our Peasants, and as long as the song does that, that’s all that matters. Balance is a matter of perspective.
10. Which LN song means the most to the band personally?
We each have a favourite LN song for different reasons – whether that be a riff, a story or an emotion. ‘Shield Wall’ is in the top three for us all for the sheer brutality of the song, the fact it was written for our loyal Peasants and gets such a strong response when we play it live, gives us all a buzz for sure! Who knew a wall of death (shield wall) could be so entertaining!
🔥 Live Shows
11. Anyone who’s seen LN live knows your performances are more than just gigs—they’re an experience. How important is the theatrical side of the band?
The theatrical side of the band is not something we take lightly. It is a craft and something we are still honing as we develop and understand ourselves more. We will never stop wanting bigger and better and we are lucky that we have the potential to create something that is truly breathtaking under the umbrella of ‘Pagan/Viking Metal’. Nothing is off the table for us. We are a DIY band and are currently creating more stage props and designs by hand that will elevate our performance further in the near future. Very exciting times!
12. Have you ever looked out into the crowd and thought, “This has completely got out of hand”?
Haha! Thankfully not, LN keeps the Peasants in check and they know to obey their Shieldmaiden – who knows what would happen if they didn’t. They’d be in the hands of the Old Gods for sure haha.
13. What’s been your favourite festival memory so far?
So far, Maid of Stone and Steelhouse Festival have been bucket list items that we never thought were possible. 2026 has been an insane festival season and we’re so grateful to all involved for making it possible.
14. Is there one venue or festival you’ve always dreamed of conquering?
Hellfest, Wacken, Summer Breeze, Download to name a few! We would love to make a return to Bloodstock at some point too. European festivals are high on our list at current. Breaking into the European scene will be a game changer for us for sure!
15. What’s the wildest thing that’s happened to you on stage?
What we do is pretty wild, so there’s nothing else that really comes close. LN loses her shoes from time to time – not sure if that counts haha.
🍻 Festival Fun
16. You’ve just finished your set…
BEER. In traditional Newcastle fashion – a pint is all you need
17. Festival camping…
Luxury setup…
…or surviving on hope and duct tape?
We’re all very used to surviving on the bare minimum and sometimes the best experiences come from those times. Who needs luxury when you have a tent, beer and best friends?
18. Which member of LN would survive longest if everyone got stranded in the wilderness?
Gwae Bloom for sure. He’s a machine.
⚡ Band Banter
19. Who’s always late?
Gwae Bloom for sure.
20. Who forgets their gear the most?
Hmm this is a tough one. We’re all pretty good with remembering our gear. Probably Sayer because it’s always 50/50 if he remembers set lists.
21. Biggest prankster?
LN. She’s a horror.
22. Loudest snorer in the tour van?
Sayer. But Gwae and Ironside are pretty bad too!
23. Who controls the playlist on long journeys?
LN. Not because she’s the best, she just takes over and everyone else is too scared to say no.
⚔️ The Music Scene
24. Viking and pagan metal seems to be getting bigger every year in the UK. Why do you think fans are embracing it now?
Personally, we feel like there are a lot of bands that are very similar in the scene at the moment, LN is very different. We are part of the Folk Metal Alliance and we support each other. The folk metal scene has created a supportive and welcoming scene that encourages lifting others up instead of pitting bands against each other. This makes a huge difference.
25. Which up-and-coming UK bands deserve a bigger audience?
Asomvel, Adfeilion, Kit Trigg, to name a few!
26. If you could tour with absolutely anyone—past or present—who would be on the dream line-up?
Dream line up – Ghost, Castle Rat and LN. This is the dream!
🤘 Quick Fire Round
One-word answers only…
• Favourite festival? – Steelhouse
• Favourite beer? – Guinness or Motorhead IPA/Pale Ale
• Favourite Viking? – Hel
• Dream guitar? – 70s Gibson RD (Jord), Ibanez LA Custom Shop (Ironside), Gibson Byrdland (Gwae)
• Go-to post-gig takeaway? – Kebab
• Mosh pit or wall of death? – Wall of Death (Shield Wall)
• Summer or winter? – Summer
• Mead or whisky? – Mead
• Tea or coffee? – Tea
⚡ Fantasy Questions
27. You can headline one legendary location anywhere in the world…
Where is it
St James Park Newcastle
28. If Netflix wanted to make a series based on LN, who would play each member?
Good question! LN – Margot Robbie, Jørd – Alexander Dreymon, Gwae – Johnny Depp, Ironside – Jack Black, Sayer – Christian Bale
29. Which historical figure would make the ultimate frontman?
Boudica
30. If you could summon one mythical creature to join the band, what would it be?
Dragon
🎸 Looking Ahead
31. What’s next for LN?
Can fans expect new music, bigger tours, more festivals or something completely unexpected?
Next up we play our annual headline show at Anarchy Brewery Newcastle on 11.12.26 (Support TBA), Morecambe Winter Gardens for the RPM 10th anniversary celebration on 19.12.26, Planet Rock Winters End 30.01.27, then maybe, just maybe, a headline tour…
32. Five years from now, where do you want LN to be?
We all currently work full time in different jobs, so ultimately, the dream is to be full time musicians, doing what we’re passionate about every single day. World domination is on the cards for LN, it’s just a matter of time.
❤️ Finally…
33. What’s your message to everyone who’s already joined the LN clan… and to anyone thinking about seeing you live for the first time?
To all of our loyal Peasants: We are eternally grateful for all the love and support you’ve given us this far. Our journey is just beginning and we can’t wait for what the future holds for LN. To all those who are yet to see us live or to listen to our songs, be warned, once you’ve seen LN and joined the Clan, there’s no going back. You’re in this family for life. Our Peasants are what keeps this Clan strong and what keeps LN being able to do what we do best. If you think you’re up to the challenge, make sure you get down to one of our Rituals and see what all the buzz is about. Skål ⚔️
