Sylvaine

Sylvaine is the solo vehicle for multi-instrumentalist Kathrine Shepard, a pivotal figure in the modern blackgaze and post-metal scenes. Since its inception in 2013, the project has evolved from a bedroom-studio exploration into a critically acclaimed act, notably making history when Shepard became the first woman nominated for a Spellemannprisen (Norwegian Grammy) in the metal category.

Her sound identity is built on a foundation of high-contrast dynamics, blending the 'wall of sound' guitar techniques of 90s shoegaze with the tremolo picking and blast beats of black metal. Culturally, she occupies a unique space between the French blackgaze movement (Alcest, Les Discrets) and the Norwegian extreme metal tradition, often collaborating with members of the former. Her recent work, such as 'Eg er framand', shows a deepening interest in traditional Norwegian folk music and choral arrangements, stripping away the distortion to reveal the melodic bones of her songwriting. Critics consistently praise her ability to maintain a sense of vulnerability despite the massive scale of her arrangements.