Gwydion's journey started in 1995, a project founded by a group of friends that shared the same passion for metal and interest in Celtic culture.

The first years of activity were essential for the band to evolve technically and refine its own musical style. Every member had slightly different music tastes, which resulted in a different perspective of melodic black metal, inspired more in Celtic mythology and ancient traditions and rituals, than the typical subject at that time.

During these first stages of the band, three demos were presented to the portuguese metal scene and dozens of gigs were performed throughout Portugal. The period between 2001-2004 meant harsh times for the band, with some line-up changes and departures from the band that caused almost a complete stall, and put the band fierceness and self-belief at test.
But everything was about to change. In the year that followed, Gwydion reemerged with full force, and also new musical ideas, and started to compose new songs, with strong folk / viking / pagan influences, without forgetting their own black metal roots.

In 2007, Gwydion recorded their first full-length album, the result of two years of maturation of their songs. Their originality and effort triggered the interest of the german label TROLLZORN, which offered a contract to release the album. Released in February 2008 and titled "Ynys Mon", the album was generally well received by critics and fans, and considered a very promising album.

With Ynys Mön, Gwydion finally started to draw the attention of the international metal landscape and ultimately received an invitation to make an European tour in October 2008 with top bands TYR, HOLLENTHON, ALESTORM, and SVARTSOT: the RAGNAROK AASKEREIA'S TOUR. For 19 days, they travelled through many european countries, doing a total of 18 performances, and lived one of the most intense and rewarding experiences possible for a band. The tour was an amazing success, a giant leap for the band, and the perfect first charge into Europe!

Gwydion entered 2009 with a deep determination: to work harder than ever, dedicating more time to the band, acquiring better gear, improving their own musicianship, and continuing playing inside and outside Portugal. Gwydion actually played in nearly all major metal Portuguese metal festivals, delivering a distinct sound and attitude to the crowd, and receiving continuously great feedback. At the end of the year, Gwydion finished the recordings and production of their second album “Horn Triskelion”. This time, a lot of people and means were involved in the process. It was recorded and produced in Pentagon by Fernando Matias (F.E.V.E.R), and mixed and mastered in Top Room Studios by Børge Finstad. A few special studio guests also made contributions that enriched with distinct sonorities and melodies some of the songs. The final result was really beyond the initial expectations of the band, in many ways… “Horn Triskelion” truly represents fifteen years of accumulated experience and ideas, and it shows a totally new perspective of Viking Folk Metal.

Source : http://www.myspace.com/gwydionmetal