Mithraic Magazine

In the deepest hollows of the underground, where clarity makes way for distortion and the raw essence of black metal thrives untempered, emerges Grundhyrde – a project forged in isolation by the enigmatic and prolific artist known only as Sceadugenga. Cloaked in primal aesthetics and comes with a melodic intensity, Grundhyrde channels the spirit of early second-wave black metal while carving a uniquely bleak and feral identity to get with it. The band’s sound is a shelling of sonic artillery – aggressive, unrelenting, and unmistakably sincere. Behind it all stands Sceadugenga, a restless creative force whose work spans a vast terrain of dark expression, yet it was their project Grundhyrde which caught my eye recently releasing both, and equally excellent, Spellbinding Mysticism and Keeper of the Abyss in 2024.

Today D sits down with Sceadugenga to talk about his projects, the current wave of thunderous American black metal, and about what the future holds for this elusive creative.

I like to start by asking, in your own words, who is Sceadugenga? And where does the name come from?

Well, Sceadugenga happens to be me, the name I use for a chunk of the projects I do. It means “shadow-walker” or “one who walks in shadows/darkness” in Old English.

It’s clear anonymity is important to you, but I also believe that our geography shapes our influences and sounds. So I’m curious, where in America are you based?

At this point, anonymity doesn’t really matter to me much, as sometimes I use photos showing who I am in some releases which I use the Sceadugenga moniker. But I’m in Columbus, OH.

I usually ask people about specific projects, but you’ve got more projects in active development than your average property developer, so I think I’m going to need to ask you about your drive instead. What is it you are tapped into that allows you to produce 8 releases in a single year? It’s frankly impressive, absurd, and terrifying all at the same time.

I’ve always just done a ton of shit, but I always start something new before finishing the previous and jump around until something is done. I stopped drinking in October 2023 and since I wasn’t going out anymore and basically living in total solitude, I just use all my spare time on recording. The 8 from last year is just the ones as Sceadugenga, though there’s even more done anonymously. I’m sure I’ve done at least 8 at this point this year as well. 

Leading on from that, how does the creation process look like for you? I feel like you have an endless well of riffs, I wonder if there is a process you have found that allows you to continue creating so prolifically? In 2024 alone you’ve released more music than most musicians release in an entire career.

As of the last 3-4 years, I basically just write and record at the same time, then never think of the riff again. If I did this the past decade before I’d have way more releases under my belt. I used to get too stuck on writing riffs and keeping them for later. Stopping doing music other people, in the live band setting, has helped too. I’ve come to realize no one is reliable and they just like the idea of being in a band, but don’t want to actually learn the shit and play it correctly. 

Let’s talk about influences, when I listen to Grundhyrde I get a feeling there’s some Finnish influences in there? In general, what are some of the projects that have inspired you? Either with Grundhyrde, or just in general.

Shit like Seigneur Voland, Kristallnacht, Totale Vernichtung, Goatmoon, Satanic Warmaster, Sargeist, ect. Are definitely influences. I don’t really think about influences now a days and just kinda “let it flow”  when coming up with Grundhyrde stuff now a days.

Out of all your projects, do you have a favourite? If yes, why?

Not really sure, at this point everything just blends together. I just like recording whatever the hell I feel like doing at the time. Though, Grundhyrde and Geheimnisvoll probably get more priority over others due to those ones being the most “popular” or whatever. But I’ve been focusing on the not as known projects this year, many not under the Sceadugenga name. 

What equipment do you use to make your sounds? Is there any equipment you’d like to add to your arsenal in the future?

I have a Gibson Les Paul Jr 2019 and recently got a short scale Teisco bass, have some shitty Frankenstien drum kit. Amp wise, I have a 6505 and VTM60 and some Fender cab. Recently, if I were to buy something, I’ve been liking those Gibson Theodore Guitars they made this year. 

We like the esoteric and the occult over here at MithraicHQ. What is one of life’s mysteries that fascinates you?

I might be too checked out these days to care about any of life’s mysteries, most that shit is just fake shit that people get infatuated about to try to give things meaning. 

Following from that, we also like esoteric or occult literature. Is there anything you would recommend your listeners to read to get to better understand the philosophy or mantra behind your music, or just to read in general?

Not really, I don’t really care about occult literature. Had a room mate into all that shit years ago. He was retarded as hell and would just buy all that bullshit instead of pay rent and cut himself and bleed into my coffee cups. There’s no philosophy to my music, it’s just me passing the time making shit.

Outside of America, who has been the most receptive to your music? Which countries have shown the most appreciation for your work so far?

Really all over Europe it seems I’ve had good responses. Dude that runs Hidden Marly Productions in Japan said he’s sold a ton of Grundhyrde CDs, so I guess people out there like the stuff, which is cool.

I always like to know about musicians the artists respect from their local scenes. Now, depending on how you answered the second question kind of dictates how I ask this final question – but who are some of the bands that we should be listening to?

I’m not apart of whatever local scene is going on here whatsoever. I’m sure there’s maybe one or two faggy black metal bands here that just like the surface level bullshit, but I don’t even know. Nobody here knows who I am really either, that I know of. I recommend to stop listening to black metal and throw away your collection. 

Metal Archives claims ‘Kaleidoscope Autistic Blood’ is a mishearing of Lamb by VON. But I suspect you didn’t mishear anything, so I’m just curious if there was any reason you chose this name for your project?

Is it me mishearing it, or is it me fucking with the black metal crowd because I think they’re fucking retarded and they fall for everything, who really knows? 

Lastly, what does the rest of 2025 look like for yourself? Any releases about to drop?

A bunch of stuff in the works for sure. Need to finish vocals on, I think, three Geheimnisvoll releases, a split, a demo and an LP. Eventually  finish up the next KAB LP, need to get off my ass and do the vocals for the Teufelshaut LP, probably a Åndutsyn LP at some point, then wrap up the 2nd Wuldorgast LP at some point later this year. Have a kellersynth type thing almost finished too called Opiatik Shrine. Then there’s all the other stuff not associated with all that. So far this year I’ve released stuff with Hexensturm, Åndutsyn, Waelwang, Heorudrync, then finally the vinyl version of Keeper of the Abyss. 

Appreciate your time today, is there anything you’d like to say before we finish today?

Can’t think of anything else. 

Make sure to check out some of Sceadugenga’s work if you’ve not before. There’s plenty to choose from, between Åndutsyn,Geheimnisvoll, Grundhyre, Kaleidoscope Autistic Blood, Waelwang, and Wuldorgast, you’ll find something to keep you going (and those are just his projects with releases in 2024.)

Personally, if you want my recommendation, I’ve been enjoying Grundhyre’s Keeper of the Abyss.

In my opinion, Keeper of the Abyss stands as a feral and unrepentant monument to the raw black metal. With its unapologetically primitive production, icy riff work, and howling vocal assaults, the album doesn’t just pay homage to the second wave – it embodies the core ethos of purity through chaos and transcendence through darkness. It is both a time capsule and a rallying cry, capturing the essence of black metal’s underground while asserting its own fiercely personal voice. Keeper of the Abyss is an untamed artifact that is uncompromising in its vision to deliver raw and venomous black metal.

HTBLOF.

Links:
Bandcamp (Grundhyrde)
Bandcamp (Geheimnisvoll)
Bandcamp (Wuldorgast)
Metal Archives