In part because of the impending parting of Robert Nijssen and in part because of a good response to live gigs, the band decided to record something. At the bleak end of 2001 Bitter Hærvest recorded four tracks with producer Marc ter Braak at Harrow Studios in Losser. Early 2002 the EP was released as «Amaethon Weeps and Turns Away».

The band continued to write and play steadily until late that year, when Paul van Veggel announced his eminent departure. After a period of auditions, readjustment and a few very successful gigs all through the larger part of 2003, the band decided to go into seclusion starting fall that year. At this time, it was estimated that within a year, there would be an album waiting for release. It turned out during the course of that year that quite a bit more time would be required to find what it really was Bitter Hærvest had set out to do in the first place.

Finally, in august 2005, recording started on the debut album with Dennis Leidelmeyer and Matthijs van Wageningen at Excess Studios in Rotterdam. After recording, mastering, artwork and production of the actual CDs, the debut album was lastly ready for its release. The album, entitled «Wilt», was presented to the world on January 14th, 2006.

Some have tried to classify the new Bitter Hærvest as some specific kind of metal. Most agree that "melodic death" really does not apply anymore, but opinions vary about whether to call it doom or death and whether it is melodic, symphonic or progressive. Even attempts to classify the greatest common divider of the band's influences has proven to be hard, i.e. finding what Opeth , My Dying Bride and Philip Glass have in common - to name just a few - is not easy. Bitter Hærvest is a metal band. That much is certain.

Harvests all over the world have slowly, but steadily, been embittering since.

Last Updated ( Saturday, 04 February 2006 )