Exclusive Interview: Æl-Fierlen talk writing and recording “All Is Far Away”!

We had the pleasure of a conversation with vocalist Stephanie Moffatt and guitarist Rob Melville from Post-Black Metal quartet Æl-Fierlen after what has to go down as a phenomenal year for them. Not only was their debut album “All Is Far Away” very well received but their performance at Oxfords finest Metal Weekender that is Rabidfest was one this writer described as “both soul stirring and intoxicating“. So without further ado, what went into the writing and recording of the aforementioned album?

How did your previous experiences writing and recording help to smooth the path of your debut album “All Is Far Away“?

Rob: “Neither of us would actually say it was smooth, necessarily! I had plenty of writing and recording experience, and had always been in bands, so that part of the process was very smooth. The album was created when it was still just the two of us, so I was able to lock myself away and just make the thing, and then Steph was able to add her parts to the finished instrumentals–although one song did have its ending changed! Neither of us had really released a record in this professional context, and doing it ourselves meant there was a fairly steep learning curve, too, so the logistics and business side didn’t feel very smooth after the act of creation was finished.”

Steph: “I had not previously written vocal melodies and was often battling with the anxiety around believing I could do it. I think writing album two has been a smoother process so far because of how many questions we answered the first time around, and knowing how we like to work now.“

How does the writing process of a new track start? Melody, riff or rhythm first? How does it evolve from there before you consider it the finished article?

Rob: “Chords usually, but with an emotion or idea in mind that I want the mood of the song to evoke. I don’t necessarily write linearly. The first idea I come up with might end up in the middle or end of the song if that’s where it best fits; there’s always got to be a journey to the music so if an idea sounds like a finale, it’s going at the end! Once I’ve got a skeleton of the song roughed out I send it over to Steph so she can spend time with it“

Steph: “Part of that time usually involves writing lyrics while on the train. Weirdly, I find it easier to have words first, and then try to create a melody to suit the lyrics/message. Then I’ll bring Rob a first draft and we go back and forth tweaking until it’s done.” 

Rob: “Some first drafts are already perfect for what I was envisioning at the beginning, but in terms of actually calling a song “done”… I keep tweaking right until the very end“

Even in the digital age, we still believe the first bite is with the eye so who was responsible for the cover work of “All Is Far Away” and what made you choose them?

“That was created for us by Ross Wilson (https://www.creathosmedia.com), the guitarist from Ginger’s previous band “Akilla“. He took the photograph and also digitally painted it. We wanted an image that evoked a ‘far away’ feeling with some of the mystery and beauty of nature“

If you could have a guest on board next time around, who would you like to work with in the studio? 

“That’s such a tough question, almost certainly someone to add instruments the four of us don’t play to a track. Top of the list would be string players; Tim Charles from Ne Obliviscaris, Jo Quail, Kakophonix from Osi and the Jupiter.“

For us gear nerds out there, can you tell us what you’re using gear wise (pedals, strings, drums etc) to get your sound?

Rob: “How deep on this do you want to go? My main guitar that I used on the album is a Jaden Rose Original Series 7, which I’ve changed the pickups in so it has a Lundgren M7 in the bridge, and their Black Heaven in the neck. Ash/walnut body, maple neck. I didn’t actually use the 7th string on any of these songs (and actually capo’d several of them) but the sound of the guitar was what I wanted for our sound. There’s also a Kremona classical and a Carillion acoustic guitar on there. 

I use an Axe Fx II XL as my rig, but when recording I also use an Earthquaker Devices Palisades as a drive at the start of the signal chain. My main rhythm guitar patches are based on a clean amp into a 4×12 cab that I’m then pushing really hard with hot pickups and the drive pedal to get the breakup. Sprinkle with various amounts of delay and reverb to taste.“

Steph: “Ginger is usually the drummer who brings the most cymbals to every gig we play. He loves Promark drumsticks and has a matching tattoo of their stripes around one arm! We all use in-ear monitors, but would love to have a more personalised rig one day.“

What difference would it make to you if you could land an endorsement from a gear manufacturer?

Rob: “I am fortunate enough to have some very boutique gear already, but I think the main difference would be being able to have something less valuable to take out on the road, as that guitar is basically irreplaceable (I do actually use another one live lately). I’d also like to change strings far more often so a string endorsement would be lovely! We’ve also recently been so grateful to have the love and financial support from Greg Brown and the Rabid Fest community to replace my original Axe Fx after a recent theft. Any musician would be lucky to have an endorsement during super unlucky times like that“

You can witness Æl-Fierlen performing the songs of “All Is Far Away” in the first few months of 2026 as follows:

16/01 – London, The Black Heart
06/02 – Southampton, Heartbreakers
07/02 – Bristol, The Gryphon
08/02 – Brighton, The Pipeline
14/02 – Norwich, Brickmakers
07/03 – London, LVLS – Haunted Echoes Fest (Free Entry!)
18/04 – Brighton, Daltons, Hammerdown Unplugged Fest
03/05 – Bridgewater, The Cobblestones, Southwest Heavyfest
12/05 – London, Oslo w/Thy Catafalque
13/05 – Leeds, The Lending Room w/Thy Catafalque
14/05 – Glasgow, Audio w/Thy Catafalque
24/05 – Norwich, Brickmakers, Slayfest 2026