LOGAN

Logan Smith, the vocalist, began Warseid as a solo project called Varangian Guard in the summer of 2008. Following the completion of a few songs (Voyager, Winter Legions), he asked long time friends Kellan Hilscher (drums) and Kyle Cushman (bass guitar) to help make Warseid an actual band.

His primary musical influences consist of Asmegin, Týr, Vildhjarta, Iced Earth, Eluveitie, Finntroll, Opeth, and many other extreme folk metal bands. Lyrically, he is influenced by mythological and historical events, and often writes lyrics that tell stories which he creates himself.

He plans to attend college to study Paleontology, while continuing his pursuits in music.

KELLAN

Kellan Hilscher, drummer of Warseid, plays a large part in the song writing process alongside Logan. He was asked to join Warseid by Logan in winter of 2008 and had previously not had any experience with folk metal.

Kellan began playing drums in 2004. At the time, his influences mainly revolved around gateway metal bands. Now he cites numerous black metal bands as his main influences.

He is in his third year pursuing a degree in software engineering.

KYLE

Kyle is the bass player and third original member of Warseid. He joined Warseid around the same time as Kellan in winter 2008 and knew very little of folk metal at the time.

Kyle began playing bass at age 14 in 2005. His primary influences are technical death metal bands such as Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation, Disgorge.

He is currently studying German at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

JOE

Joe Meland, keyboardist, accordionist, and backing/clean vocals, began studying piano at the age of 4. He joined Warseid in the summer of 2009 after a short jam session with the other members, who were searching for a keyboardist at the time. His influences range from his favorite black metal bands, such as Shining, Emperor, and Agalloch, to his favorite classical composers, Penderecki and Mussorgsky. He has played a large role in the writing process of the newer songs, and is currently working on his BM in music composition.

ANDRE

Andre Cailliet is the newest and youngest member of Warseid. He joined Warseid in late 2011 as rhythm guitarist, having played with Tama (Darkness in Serbian) for nearly a year. He has many diverse influences including: Summoning, Moonsorrow, Wintersun, Iced Earth, Eluveitie, Thyrfing, Sunn O))), Porcupine Tree, King Crimson, Opeth, Finntroll, Ulver, Urfaust, Coldworld, Wedard, Swallow the Sun, Stormlord, Bal-Sagoth and Enslaved. Although he has only been playing five years, his ability matches even seasoned guitarists.

STEVEN

Steven Hoff has been playing guitar for 10 years, all self taught except for 6 months when he attended Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA. He is influenced by many bands ranging from Shred, Power, Thrash, and Progressive Metal to composers found in Classical music, video games, and film scores. Originally from San Diego, CA where he did gigs under his alias "Steven James", a one man instrumental shred act, he has scored 3 student films, of which one earned a local Emmy nomination. Steven also plays bass and piano but is quick to learn any new instrument he picks up. He moved to Madison, WI in the summer of 2012 and quickly met Joe Meland and was recruited to join Warseid as lead guitarist. Aside from music, Steven is deeply fascinated with nature and the universe and is pursuing a degree in Astronomy and Physics.

Past members

BRANDON

Brandon Salaway was the lead guitarist for Warseid from 2009 to 2010. He recorded on all of their releases thus far. During the period of time when he was a permanent member, his influences were mainly based in Thrash Metal bands such as Demolition Hammer, Morbid Saint, and Kreator. Despite the fact that Folk Metal was not in his primary list of influences, there never seemed to be any sort of creative clash. He catered to the folk metal style as much as possible when writing his parts for Warseid. As much as he enjoyed his time as a permanent member, he realized that he wanted to broaden his horizons more as a musician.

Although he may divert from his metal roots every so often, he still finds time to revisit his shred stylings. During his time back in Wisconsin, he continues to play live with Warseid.

During the school year of 2010, Brandon moved to Nashville Tennessee to major in Commercial Guitar at Belmont University. He studies general music theory, a multitude of commercial styles, as well as classical guitar.