Review Fix Exclusive: Ren Marabou Talks ‘Valhlla Waits’

Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Ren Marabou, who discusses his new album, Valhlla Waits.

Review Fix: Who is answering the questions (full name required): Ren Marabou 

How did the project start?

Ren Marabou: The project began as a result of Covid 19 restrictions here in Ireland in March 2020. Unable to travel to rehearse with my band Peralis I decided to start working on my solo music. Fortunately it was very well received and my solo music has gone from strength to strength thanks to my awesome supporters.  

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Marabou: My creative process is a daily routine at this stage. Everyday I hit my studio on the side of my house. I am very luck to have a constant flow of musical ideas and songs floating round in my head and I’m very fortunate to have the work space at the ready to get my ideas out and recorded. Usually I’ll have a concept or a song title in mind that inspires the direction of the track. I get a rough guitar guide track down then I’ll get the drums and bass down. The fun part for me is playing around with the guitar sounds and tones and laying down the lead guitar. Once I have the main instruments down the old pen and paper come out. Generally I write lyrics and record vocals pretty much simultaneously. Every line I write that I like gets instantly recorded as I find the melody. I tend to record very quickly this way. The longest part is doing the final mix and tidying up for Mastering.    

Review Fix: What’s your standout song? How was it written?

Marabou: It seems from the response of fans that the second single taken from my new album ‘Valhlla Waits’ is a stand out track. ‘The Wanderer (Odin)’ is a song about the Norse God and All Father Odin. It was inspired by Odins many travels disguised as a simple wanderer in order to gain as much knowledge and wisdom as possible. Musically I wanted a magical feel to it but still rocking. The intro came first which captures the whimsical sound I was looking for, once that was down the chunky riffs and straight forward prog rock drums where thrown in to give the track an unexpected blast of uptempo energy. The track had such a great vibe to it that the lyrics just fell out. I had a lot of fun working on the melodies and this song.      

Review Fix: What are your goals for 2021?

Marabou: On May 1st 2021 I released my new album ‘Valhlla Waits’ through Misanthropik Records and the response has been incredible. With all the excitement I’ve decided to go back to work in the studio. With shows still on hold I think we could be looking at a late summer 2021 album release. 

Review Fix: How do you want your music to affect people?

Marabou: My music is inspired entirely by Norse Mythology, Norse Paganism and Norse Lore. I guess people can enjoy my musical direction in either a fantasy or historical way or even better on a Norse Pagan belief level. I’d love if people of all faiths could enjoy my music in whatever manner suits them. Music can transcend barriers. Spiritual beliefs can coexist, blend or bind in todays world if people let it be so.     

Review Fix: What’s next?

Marabou: Well I’m enjoying the celebrating and promoting of my new album ‘Valhalla Waits’ so we’ll keep at that for a while. My daily routine in the studio is still ongoing and I’m very excited for people to hear tracks from my next album. In the meantime I hope everyone keeps enjoying ‘Valhalla Waits’, but new music wont be too long away my Heathen Tribe.