Name Ville Pystynen Occupation(s) Musician | Years active 1993–present Role Musician | |
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Also known as Shatraug, Hellseeker, Malice Pooper, Ghoul, Fornicator, Skaldi Shatraug Instruments GuitarvocalsBass guitarKeyboardsDrums Labels Grievantee Productions, Hammer of Hate Albums Black Metal Warfare, The Rebirth of a Cursed E, Musta Kaipuu, Haudankylmyyden Mailla, Envaatnags Eflos Solf Esgantaavne Similar People Hoath Torog, Spellgoth, Satanic Tyrant Werewolf, Mynni Luukkainen | ||
Birth name Ville Petteri Pystynen | ||
Ville Pystynen, also commonly known by his main stage name, Shatraug, is a Finnish-born musician. In 1993, he formed the Finnish black metal band Horna. Besides Horna, Pystynen has played in several bands of different genres of metal. He founded and has played bass and guitar for Sargeist since 1999. He is also known for playing bass and guitar for Behexen from 2004-2015. Pystynen also has several solo and smaller projects which, in some, he plays all instruments and sings for.
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Pystynen has a wide interest in playing instruments, being a live session musician, as well as writing lyrics. He is also trained in programming, mixing and engineering music. He owned and ran Grievantee Productions, and Warmoon Records. Ville also owns his own recording studio.
Pystynen is said to be inspired by Quorthon and has stated that Bathory has a massive influence on Horna's existence. He has also said to be inspired by bands such as Impaled Nazarene, Emperor and Darkthrone.
Work as a lyricist
Pystynen writes most of Horna's lyrics in Finnish with many recurring themes. Apart from usual black metal themed lyrics, Pystynen writes about fantasy and the works of J. R. R. Tolkien. For example, Kohti Yhdeksän Nousua (Towards Rising of the Nine) refers to Tolkien's ring wraiths, and 'A Ring to Rule' (which is uncommonly written in English) from the 1999 EP Perimä Vihassa Ja Verikostossa, regards the One Ring. There are also some Horna lyrics which regard themes from World War II, for example, Oi Kallis Kotimaa (O'Precious Fatherland) from Musta Kaipuu.
According to Shatraug, a large record label approached Horna and attempted to negotiate with them to join their label. Pystynen refused, however, as the label wanted them to use more lyrics in English.
Personal life
Pystynen belonged to the Finnish military service in 2000. He was kicked out for being violent toward a commanding officer.
He is married, and is the father of two children.