Australian-born musician Stephan Borg, known by his stage name 'Wolff', has had a remarkable journey in the metal music scene, weaving his way from Malta's underground metal scene in the 1990s to his current solo project, Tatius Wolff. His career reflects resilience, creativity, and a passion for evolving soundscapes, drawn from a broad range of influences.
In 1991, Borg co-founded the doom-death metal band Oblique Visions in Malta, with Brian Sammut on bass, Conrad Attard on drums, Jeffrey Bugeja on guitars, and Jason Agius on vocals. The band's early work, including a live recording titled Oblique Visions Live at Fort Rinella, showcased their heavy yet melodic sound. Their first official release, The Fallen, arrived in 1994, a demo that began solidifying their presence in the metal community.
A pivotal moment for the band came in 1995 with the release of their full-length debut album, Seas of Serenity, which combined doom-laden atmospheres with melodic sensibilities. This album cemented their reputation in the Maltese metal scene. However, while working on a follow-up album, Borg made the life-changing decision to return to Australia. Reflecting on this move, Borg admits, "I was unsuccessful music-wise. I tried to find metal bands in Sydney, but there wasn't much of a metal scene in the late '90s, early 2000s... I kind of gave up, to be honest."
For 17 years, Borg took a step back from music, but his passion never truly faded. In 2015, he re-entered the music scene with a renewed vigor, creating under the moniker Tatius Wolff. His solo project, founded in 2017, was inspired by bands like Type O Negative, Tool, Nine Inch Nails, and Deftones, incorporating a wide array of gothic, melodic, and progressive elements. Borg describes his sound as “a metal soundscape that switches between quiet interludes, angry heavy riffs, and thick bass lines.” His first single, Thumbscrews, dropped in June 2017, marking the official beginning of his solo career.
Since then, Tatius Wolff has released multiple singles and albums, including the hauntingly personal The Relapse in 2018, a concept album centered around Borg’s own health struggles. "The songs on The Relapse are all about the journey of getting sick, thinking you're okay, but then it gets worse... It was really just me looking for something to write about," Borg explained. His work is deeply reflective, often touching on themes of vulnerability and resilience, channeled through a unique blend of metal styles.
While Tatius Wolff gained momentum, Borg's connection to his roots in Oblique Visions never fully dissipated. In 2017, he reunited with the band for a special performance at The Garage in Malta. "I hadn't played in so long, but when they suggested a reunion gig, I was eager to get back into it," Borg said, recalling the challenges of relearning the old songs. The gig rekindled his love for live performance and collaboration with his old bandmates.
Another reunion took place on November 1st, when Oblique Visions played yet another memorable show at The Garage in Malta. Borg had started rehearsing months in advance, preparing for the performance by relearning some of the band's older material and tackling new songs. “This time around, we chose a bunch of songs that I hadn’t played last time, so it was a bit challenging,” Borg said, reflecting on the experience. The reunion marked another high point in the band’s enduring legacy, demonstrating their ongoing relevance in the metal scene.
This renewed connection with Oblique Visions also led to Borg's involvement in the band’s latest album, Out of Darkness, released in 2023. Borg co-wrote two tracks, Husk and Back to Earth, marking his first contribution to the band in over two decades. "We didn't have Conrad (the singer) at the time, so I wrote the lyrics as well. It was a great opportunity to contribute again, even though I'm on the other side of the world now," he shared.
Borg's transcontinental career has undoubtedly influenced his music. Living in Australia, far from his Oblique Visions bandmates, has made collaboration challenging, but he remains hopeful for future projects. "Frank Pizzo, (his replacement), and I haven’t collaborated yet, but I think we have a lot in common musically, and I’m looking forward to working with him in the future," he said.
As Borg prepares to return to Australia following his recent stint in Malta, he remains optimistic about his future creative endeavors. "I'm really hoping that when I return to Australia, I'll have that inspiration back again," he says. His time with Oblique Visions has clearly reinvigorated him, and he looks forward to continuing his solo work as Tatius Wolff, promising more releases to come.
Through his work, Stephan ‘Wolff’ Borg has shown that musical passion transcends borders and time, and whether collaborating with old bandmates or forging ahead with his solo project, his dynamic and evolving sound continues to captivate listeners around the globe.
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