These past few years I've seen a new creative renaissance happening, with more and more artists discovering (or re-discovering) themselves and building their own independent ways of doing things. The 'music industry' is dying, and that's a good thing. The internet has made it easier than ever for artists to work for themselves, to find their own audience, and release their creations directly without any middlemen or other meddlers.
Being an independent artist myself, I'm starting this series to highlight other independent creatives that I love and have influenced my self-confidence and inner growth, and to inspire other creatives to not let anything stop you from following your passions.
Starting out with the Swedish musician Vargskelethor Joel, one of the first musicians I remember listening to that has always completely self-released his own stuff (and his band). He's most known for his video game streaming on Twitch/Youtube, and he's also the vocalist/guitarist of thrash metal band Scythelord, and does thrash/death metal solo albums under just Vargskelethor. He blends his comedy and humor found in his gameplay videos in his solo material, and I first started regularly listening to his solo stuff in 2019 after I was blown away by Skeleton Metal III. I highly recommend said album as well as his most recent album Blasted Residuals to any fans of classic thrash (and don't mind some occasional old school death metal vocals), which came out this year and has quickly become one of my favorite albums from this year so far. Wrestling Stone Cold off that album has to be my most listened to thrash song released within the past decade, and reminds me of the pure fun comedic thrash that was done so well back in the 90's from bands like Scatterbrain. Want to play some of these songs yourself? You easily can as there's guitar and bass tablature out there on guitar tab sites. Now that says something, there's some really popular bands that won't have a whole lot of tab, but here's a completely independent musician who's attracted fellow musicians to learn these songs themselves and tab them out for others.
He's found his audience and a niche in the modern thrash scene with both those wanting some good humor back in thrash, as well as crossover between metal fans and video game fans through his gameplay videos. Be true to yourself and your own unique passions, creativity, and skills and you'll attract the right people.
Check out his music here: https://vargskelethor.bandcamp.com/
