"You'll never go anywhere playing that type of music with a band name like that..."

....was a common refrain heard by the members of St. Paul based metal band, Cwn Annwn. Their music was outdated. It didn't sound like what was popular. But deaf to the criticism, Cwn Annwn diligently and painstakingly honed their craft. Naysayers slowly but surely became supporters as Cwn Annwn's intense live performances led to capacity crowds at the region's most prestigious venues, including the First Avenue Mainroom, Triple Rock Social Club, and Station 4. Their vision of metal was validated through direct support for established national acts, including Trivium, All That Remains, Exodus, Gojira, Iced Earth, 3 Inches of Blood, Skeletonwitch, Chimaira, Prong, Testament, Divine Heresy, Early Man, Crisis, Five Finger Death Punch, Watch Them Die and others.

Cwn Annwn's music, while decidedly metal, combines a wide array of musical influences to form a sound that is familiar yet original. Julie Schultz' dynamic voice infuses Cwn Annwn's music with a power and intensity unique to the metal genre. Guitarists Neil James and Harry Rostovtsev's solos and harmonies evoke classic Maiden and Metallica, while bassist Mike Strohkirch's quirky Primus influenced basslines give Cwn Annwn's riffs their distnctive quality. Drummer Jake Stone's complex rhythms and pounding beats derive from progressive influences such as Rush and Tool.

In 2008, Cwn Annwn released "Blood of the Djinn" - their first EP with Schultz on vocals - to widespread critical acclaim. Title track "The Djinn" achieved Garageband Track of the Day status, has received airplay on local, regional, and international radio, and has been featured on several compilation CDs. With plans to release a full-length concept album and tour the Midwest, Cwn Annwn is primed and ready to take their place among heavy metal's elite!