Interview: Chronicler Of Ardul's David Williams

By Neil Shumate, OOTB Publications

Chronicler Of Ardul is a solo music project founded by David Williams, based off an idea that began in 2015. It was brought to life in 2023 as a multi-medium saga—starting with the Myrewood EP, continuing with the Sword of Virné LP, and accompanying short stories.

On the heels of releasing a new full-length album, Sounds Of Ardul—a dark fantasy orchestral journey soundtrack of nearly 3-hours with 17-tracks and 12 extended version tracks—tomorrow, Friday, April 10, Williams (composer, lyricist, recording, mixing, artwork) spoke to OOTB about his Berklee education, video game influences, his music interest background, the process of the new album and what’s next.

Being a solo artist, how has your education at Berklee College Of Music influenced or benefited your compositions and lyrical content?

My education from Berklee has been game changing for me. I took courses on music theory, composition, songwriting, lyric writing, and production.

I learned how to compose there and am able to do what I can do now because of it.

And the lyric courses I took really improved my writing and techniques to play with things in cool ways that maybe the really nerdy and attentive will figure out.

It’s the little details that make it come together more.

The upcoming album Sounds Of Ardul takes listeners through a cinematic journey—not only a soundtrack, but one that builds characters and frames imagery if your eyes are closed—how did you arrive at this compositional approach and what do you hope listeners will take away and feel after listening and engaging?

My favorite composers have always been video game composers, like Nobuo Uematsu, Koji Kondo, and Yasunori Nishiki.

Their ability to enhance the emotions of what’s going on or the scenery just draws you in so much deeper. And when you play incredible games like Final Fantasy or Zelda with those epic moments, it’s a great teaching class on how to write and when to really show off what’s going on.

I went into this wanting to give a sonic representation of what the world of Ardul feels like.

“Woodlands” is both beautiful and dark, because they are dangerous.

Then there’s my bard songs that bring more emotional depth to life and what’s going on, and maybe even tease what’s coming in the future.

I want my audience to feel what this world is, and one of the best ways I can do that is through music. And I wanted to write really cool music.

Who doesn’t love a good battle theme?

Geographically or hypothetically, where is Ardul located and what areas of the world influenced its terrain?

Ardul is its own world as with any fantasy setting. It has continents, mountains, forests, tundra, oceans, and a continent that has been corrupted and no one dares go to.

Personally, I am a big fan of forests and mountains, so that was a must for me and was a big influence on creating Myrewood.

But I just create what the world needs and see what interesting things can come out of it.

How long did this album project take from start to finish?

That’s a hard question to answer because the music for “Watch Over Me” has been around for a few years.

I really started working on this back in 2024, in the iteration it is now.

Finalization happened probably on October 2025.

When was the first moment and what was it that pulled you into music?

My mom would say when she was pregnant with me she played Sly And The Family Stone; so very early on. [laughs]

I’ve always had an interest in music.

My dad, and his dad, and his dad, all played drums, and my mom played piano when she was young, so music has always been in my blood.

But, when it really became important to me and I wanted to pursue it, it was when I was 16 and listened to Metallica’s S&M album. It was foreshadowing what I would end up doing. That was life changing. It turned me into a metalhead and put me on this path.

Outside of music, what are your hobbies and interests?

I enjoy video games, mostly rpgs at the moment.

Hanging out with friends, watching YouTube.

And when I can, I love going to the Renaissance Faire.

What’s next for you throughout 2026?

So many projects.

I want to get my short story for Sword Of Virné out, write more music for myself and my other band, Left After Death, and hopefully work with some of my music friends I’ve made.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Once Sounds Of Ardul and Sword Of Virné short story comes out, phase one is finished. This is just the beginning. I got so many ideas and plans coming.

Pre-Order Album

https://www.amazon.com/

Tracklisting