When this blog was founded in 2020, it was mainly some of the younger epic metal bands that provided the inspiration for this step. On 11 May, the Emscherdamm in Oberhausen will host a concert evening that recalls this past: Midnight Force, Gatekeeper and Smoulder are three bands that were part of the aforementioned group. With this in mind, we would like to take this opportunity to highly recommend a trip to the venue: For just 19 euros in pre-sale, you can enjoy this exceptional package, which is unlikely to be seen very often in Germany. From my own experience, I can say that all three acts ..read more

In the epic metal genre, Morgul Blade, Writhen Hilt and especially Savage Oath have already set the bar very high in the first third of the year. Every release must inevitably be measured against these very strong to outstanding works. Can the Portuguese Dolmen Gate keep up with the aforementioned trio? To make a long story short: I’m sure that every Epic Metal Blog reader can order Gateways of Eternity without hesitation. Dolmen Gate present a classic, varied mixture on their debut album, which is at times energetic and fast-paced, but also epic and doomy. Sublime guitar melodies invite you t ..read more

May is just around the corner – and it’s finally time for a playlist again. This month’s focus is on new releases – and a very special re-release that the Epic Metal Blog is really looking forward to. We hope you enjoy listening to it. If you like the bands/artists, support them by buying a record, T-shirt or patch. Cloven Hoof – Last Man Standing Riot V – Feel the Fire Bronze – Samurai Achelous (feat. Harry Conklin) – Into the Shadows Glyph – March of the Northern Clan Dolmen Gate – Betrayal Dool – Hymn for a Memory Lost Morgul Blade – Beneath the Black Sails Necrophobic – Shadows of the Bri ..read more

I’ve written it a few times on this blog: When people ask me what is the most important band in your life, I say Pink Floyd without a second’s hesitation. The epic character of masterpieces such as “Comfortably Numb“, “High Hopes“ or “Echoes“ has had a lasting influence on my preference for sublime, majestic, ethereal sounds. If you ask me about my favourite guitarist, my answer for 30 years has been: David Gilmour. With this in mind, it’s not surprising that I’m discussing the first single from the maestro’s new release on this platform, where epic metal usually takes centre stage. Luck and S ..read more

If you ask me about my favourite metal genres, my first answer is – you guessed it – epic (doom) metal. Right after that, I always mention the typical Swedish mixture of black and death metal that Dissection once perfected and to which bands like Necrophobic have remained true to this day. The quintet around founding member Joakim Sterner is synonymous with consistency: the Scandinavians’ discography is flawless – there are, as always, spikes upwards or downwards, but they never fall below a certain high level of quality. Of course, this doesn’t change with the tenth longplayer In the Twilight ..read more

Power metal – namely the European variant – is not very often represented on our blog. This is primarily due to the fact that there are very few albums that interest me – this is of course a result of the music, but also of the sometimes cringy image that several bands cultivate. However, I like to be blown away by excellent songs – and in this respect it doesn’t matter which pigeonhole writers like me might open. And that is where Glyph spring into action. They are a kind of underground supergroup that includes Greyhawk musicians Darin Wall (bass) and Rob Steinway (guitar), R.A. Voltaire (Rav ..read more

Every interview we have published since 2020 has been important to me, otherwise it would never have appeared here. However, I have to admit that the conversation below with Savage Oath is one of my top 3. It was a huge pleasure to talk to Phil Ross (former Manilla Road, now Sentry and Ironsword) and Leeland Campana (Visigoth) about their “new” band in particular and epic metal in general. Thanks to the great effort the two of them have put in, we can present you with an extremely interesting interview that offers a lot to discuss. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Phil and Leelan ..read more

(1) André: Hi Kyle, thanks for taking the time for our blog again. How are you doing? Kyle: Hello! Not a problem. Thank you for having me again. I’m doing okay. I’m still figuring out life as a self-employed person, wrestling with horrible anxiety, telling myself I’ll do more exercise but never actually doing it. The usual! I’m joking (kind of). So far this year I’ve been writing the next Seven Sisters album and I’m also currently mixing and mastering a new album for a Spanish band. Once those are done, I’ll be writing a new Phantom Spell record, so I’m busy! Mainly keeping ..read more

When our mates from Achelous release a new album, there is of course not only a review, but also an interview with singer Chris Kappas. You have to keep up good traditions. Have fun reading. André: Hi Chris, how are you? Nice to talk to you again! Chris: Hi André!!! It‘s always nice to have a talk with you and the Epic Metal Blog! You guys are supporting Achelous from day one – so it‘s a great pleasure! André: The pleasure is all mine. Have you bought any new records this year? I think 2024 is starting very strong. Chris: After an amazing 2023 with some of the greatest releases like Triumpher ..read more

(1) André: Hi Kalen, very nice to talk to you again. How are you?  Kalen: I’m great! Just got back from Houston for my third time attending Hell’s Heroes and I am still buzzing from the experience. Always so great to see so many legendary bands and friends from around the world! Was also cool to network with people and see how many metal fans are stoked on post-punk and goth rock. Really gives me hope for what we do and the crossover we have between genres. (2) André: I know you’re a big fan of Spell. And now you have the chance to release a split with one of your favourite bands. I guess ..read more