El Pregoner del MetallMar 13
ETERNAL CHAMPION (Estats Units) presenta nou EP: "Friend of War" #EternalChampion #EpicHeavyMetal #Març2026 #EstatsUnits #NouEp #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic
El Pregoner del MetallMar 11
GRAVETY (Alemanya) presenta nou single: "Brotherhood of Sleep" #Gravety #EpicHeavy #ThrashMetal #EpicHeavyMetal #Març2026 #Alemanya #NouSingle #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic
The NwothmFeb 21

Live Roundup #51

The Nwothm

We are back with another live roundup showing you some of the best gigs and festivals coming up in the near future! Buying in advance both supports bands and festivals helping to make sure shows go ahead! So what are you waiting for, go and grabs some tickets!

What your gig featured?

If you would like to have your gig featured here please drop us a message on our socials or email [email protected]!

#1 Blazon Stone

More info: https://www.facebook.com/BlazonStoneOfficial

#2 Omen

More info: https://www.123tickets.gr/

#3 Noisey Hours fest

More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2107192340127352/

#4 castle rat @ Summer Breeze 26

More info: https://www.summer-breeze.de/en/

#5 greyhawk + Support

More info: https://www.facebook.com/greyhawkheavymetal

#6 Knife/Warrant

More info: https://www.instagram.com/k.n.i.f.e.official/

#7 Lynch Mob With Breakker

More info: https://www.facebook.com/LynchMobBand

#8 Victimized/Hex crow/ripper

More info: https://www.facebook.com/RIPPERSOFFICIAL

#9 Mega Colossus

More info: https://www.facebook.com/colossusmetal

#10 Scared Steel + Support

More info: https://www.instagram.com/sacredsteelofficial/

#ATTIC #Axton #BlackPhantom #blazonStone #Breakker #CastleRat #epicHeavyMetal #greyhawk #HeavyMetal #knife #liveRoundup #MegaColossus #NewWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #NWOTHM #Omen #ripper #sacredSteel #SerpentRider #speedMetal #thenwothm #warrant
The NwothmFeb 16

Band Of The Day: Icy Steel (Italy)

The Nwothm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbQVrH77RHc

Band: Icy Steel

Country: Italy

Label: Independent

Members: Stefano Galeano – Guitars, Vocals, Lyrics

Flavio Fancellu – Drums

Carlo Serra – Bass

Andy Mornar – Guitars

Album:
The Wait, The Choice And The Bravery

Track Info: Hidden But Alive

Icy Steel are a heavy metal band from Sassari, Sardinia, active since 2005 and known for their epic themes, mythological storytelling, and traditional metal sound. Distinct from the unrelated 1980s Verona band of the same name, the Sardinian Icy Steel built their reputation through a steady run of albums beginning with their 2005 demo and 2007 self‑titled debut. Releases such as As the Gods Command (2010), Krònothor (2012), Through the Ashes (2016), Guest on Earth (2018), and The Wait, the Choice and the Bravery (2024) showcase their commitment to heroic, narrative‑driven heavy metal. Their work also includes a contribution to the Omen tribute compilation All Fear the Axeman in 2012. Signed to Wanikiya Record, Icy Steel remain an active force in Italian epic metal.

Links

Bandcamp: https://theicysteel.bandcamp.com/music

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheIcySteel

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IcySteelOfficial

Website: https://icysteel.wixsite.com/icysteel/home

#BandOfTheDay #epicHeavyMetal #HeavyMetal #IcySTeel #ItalianHeavyMetal #NewWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #NWOTHM #TheChoiceAndTheBravery #TheWait #thenwothm #thenwothmCom
The NwothmFeb 15

Bands We Need You!

Calling all bands who play Nwothm/Epic/Heavy-Doom and all things in between! Do you have a new album coming out that you want the world to know about? Maybe you are quite new and want to get some exposure? Or maybe you have a big tour coming up that you want to raise awareness for? We might be able to help.

If you are an artist or in a band and you would like for us to review your album or provide you with coverage, please email us: [email protected]

You can send materials via platforms like Transfernow

(We only accept nwothm/nwobhm/epic/heavy-doom and may consider some crossovers like speed and power metal)

For a review: please send us a digital copy of you album/ep along with band photos, a bio, links. Please make sure all files do not have an expiry (we get a lot of emails each week). If you prefer to send a physical copy please let us know in an email.

For an interview: We are always looking for bands to interview! So drop us an email or make yourselves known and If you fit what we cover, we will be in touch!If we have sent you a mailer interview, please return your completed questions with band photos, a bio, links and any exclusives you want us to include in the write up.

FAQ:

Can I send a physical copy for review? Yes please drop [email protected] and we can arrange it.

What genres do you cover? We primarily cover nwothm, epic heavy metal, heavy-doom and nwobhm. We are finding more bands blending heavy metal with the likes of speed metal and power metal so we also cover crossovers.

Can I send you my album from last year? No, we only cover new releases (within 1-3 months) and reissues. However, please build a connection with us and we will keep you on our radar for future coverage.

Where does my music, news etc get promoted? If we end up covering your band a post will be created on the site. This is also pushed out to all our social media like Facebook, Instagram etc We also encourage bands to share our content we create about them and link back if possible.

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#BandsWeNeedYou #epicHeavyMetal #EPKSubmission #HeavyMetal #NewWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #nwobhm #NWOTHM #speedMetal #submitYourBand #submitYourStuff #thenwothm #thenwothmCom
The NwothmJan 13

Triumpher announce third album Piercing “The Heart Of The World” for march 2026 via No Remorse Records

The Nwothm 2–3 minutes

No Remorse Records confirms the return of Athens-based epic metal force TRIUMPHER, who will release their third full-length album Piercing The Heart Of The World on 6 March 2026.

The first glimpse of the new chapter arrives with the official music video for the opening track “Black Blood”, now available on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/JrerpYfQrBs

Formed in 2020 by vocalist Mars Triumph, the band has carved out a commanding identity built on epic heavy metal sharpened by black and extreme metal influences. Their sound remains rooted in classic tradition while pushing forward with a disciplined, militant energy that has become their signature.

Triumpher’s debut “Storming The Walls” (2023) quickly established them as a rising name within the underground, leading to a partnership with No Remorse Records, who later reissued the album on both CD and vinyl. Their second album “Spirit Invictus” (2024) expanded their reach even further, earning international recognition for its dramatic and furious approach to epic metal.

The band has appeared at numerous festivals across Europe and has shared stages with several influential acts, strengthening their reputation as a powerful and commanding live presence.

“Piercing The Heart Of The World” was recorded, mixed and mastered by Achilleas Kalantzis at Suncord Audiolab. Production was handled by Achilleas Kalantzis and Triumpher, with cover artwork created by Anastasia Ziazopoulou. A European tour will follow the album’s release, beginning on 19 March 2026.

Tracklist

  • Black Blood
  • Destroyer
  • The Mountain Throne
  • Ithaca (Return Of The Eternal King)
  • Vaults Of Immortals
  • The Flaming Sword
  • Erinyes
  • Naus Apidalia

    • Line-up

    • Mars Triumph: Vocals
    • Christopher Tsakiropoulos: Guitars
    • Mario Ñ Peters: Guitars
    • Stelios Zoumis: Bass
    • Agis Tzoukopoulos: Drums

    2026 Tour Dates

    • 14th February: Murcia, Hellions Festival (ES)
    • 19th March: Copenhagen, Stengade Club (DK)
    • 20th March: TBA
    • 21st March: Warsaw, Hellicon Metal Festival (PL)
    • 22nd March: TBA
    • 23rd March: TBA
    • 24th March: Vienna, Escape Club (AUT)
    • 25th March: TBA
    • 26th March: TBA
    • 27th March: Selb, Rockclub Nordbayern (GER)
    • 28th March: Oberhausen, Helvete Club (GER)
    • 29th March: Breda, Sound Dog Club (NL)
    • 31st March: Kassel, Goldgrube Club (GER)
    • 1st April: TBA
    • 2nd April: Hamburg, Bambi Galore (GER)
    • 3rd April: Deist, Club Hell (BEL)
    • 4th April: TBA
    • 5th April: TBA
    • 19th April: Athens, Kyttaro Club (GR)

    Links

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Triumpher.official

    Bandcamp: https://triumpher.bandcamp.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triumpher.official

    Label: https://www.noremorse.gr

    Photo Credit: Daisy Chain

    #blackenedHeavyMetal #epicHeavyMetal #HeavyMetal #NewAlbum #NewWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #noRemorseRecords #NWOTHM #TheHeartOfTheWorld #thenwothm #triumpher

    The NwothmJan 10

    Review: Greyhawk “Warriors of Greyhawk”

    Release date: 13 February 2026

    Label: Cruz Del Sur Music

    7–11 minutes

    Gage J. Tolin

    Fusing classic US power metal, AOR and all things epic metal; GREYHAWK returns with their third album of triumphant battle hymns.

    Refreshed, rejuvenated and ready for adventure; GREYHAWK are back with their third album of epic, melodic power/heavy metal fused with an anthemic AOR angle. Shredding guitars, soaring vocals, powerful rhythms and songs that will stick with you are all a part of this majestic opus.

    From the very beginning you will be met with soaring guitars, pounding riffs and a classic heavy/power metal attack from the instrumentals. Grandiose and powerful vocals complete the mix, which is perfectly blended by Henrik Udd’s sublime production which is detailed and grandiose. Daniel Porta has provided artwork for this record and clearly the band have had a strong input on all aspects of the release to make sure the entire experience is gripping for you, the fans.

    Not many bands blend the more traditional epic heavy/power metal glory with these AOR elements but GREYHAWK do so marvellously, giving the music not only power but memorability, showing that on their third album – this will definitely stand the test of time. The musicianship is continually improving on all counts, from the crushing drumming to the mind-blowing guitar work to the operatic and stunning vocals. Lovers of all things fantastical, adventurous and metallic will be enchanted, enthralled and bedazzled by this stratospheric effort.

    “This album is a return to the epic metal roots that we had on our debut album ‘Keepers of the Flame’”, says founding member Darin Wall, “it also features some faster songs where we explore our love for power metal, as well as some of the 80s AOR vibes we had on the last album ‘Thunderheart’. Songs about inner strength, overcoming obstacles in life, and triumphing in victory are all present here. Creating an experience where the listener can find inspiration from the lyrics and energy of the songs, or detach from reality a bit and get lost in some of the epic fantastical themes is the goal.  Ronnie James Dio is the bands biggest influence as far as lyrical themes go.”

    Line-Up
    Anthony Corso – Vocals
    Jesse Berlin – Lead Guitar 
    Rob Steinway – Rhythm Guitar
    Darin Wall – Bass
    Nate Butler – Drums

    Review

    Greyhawk begin their third full-length album, and first with vocalist Anthony Corso, with “Ascension”, a song that wastes little time in making its mark. While longtime listeners might be a bit put off by the new singer, this quickly faded for me and I found myself enjoying Anthony’s set of pipes. The AOR influence comes through with gusto, at times sounding very akin to the vocal talents of Steve Perry of Journey or Brad Delp of Boston. It helps to give the album a pronounced melodic and anthemic sound to it that I think makes it stand out from their earlier work. On the instrumental side, I did find the production to be a bit cacophonous at times, but I still found the music largely enjoyable. The guitar solo in particular was a great taste of what was to come on the album.

    Taking things into a more thrashy realm was “Land of Ashes”, which offered a blitzing pace and sound that I felt more similar to Holy Grail than previous Greyhawk releases. Drummer Nate Butler is killing it throughout the track, with some thundering beats on the kit. Again, I found Corso’s vocals to be more than solid, and they continued to grow on me. While a shorter track, at 3:26, it definitely makes the most of its minutes (as the saying goes), and though I still wasn’t quite sold on the production, everything else was clicking for me up to now.

    “Take A Stand” offered a more chanty and simplistic style of track, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. As I’ve said in other reviews, I appreciate versatility and this shows just that. On top of that, something about this track made it feel like an old Greyhawk track (can’t quite explain why or how that is). While featuring a proper shredder of a guitar solo, the track kept things close to its chest and never strayed too far from the formula that this sort of track offers. It felt like a lead single, and while I do contend that it was a solid addition to the album, I can’t quite rate it higher than that just yet. Alas, future relistens may change my perception.

    “Endless Race” returned us to that more thrashy (speedy?) realm, with an opening that ripped like crazy. The melodic guitar harmony coming in to accentuate it was a cherry on top. Speaking of melody, the way in which Corso delivers the chorus is simply dripping with magic and majesty. For some reason, I found the production to really work in the track’s favor for this one, though I retain that I think it’s a touch too clean. This wasn’t a long track, clocking in at just over 4 minutes, and it actually felt shorter than it really was, but I really think it worked. Good stuff here.

    The first, of a few, more lengthy tracks was the title track “Warriors of Greyhawk”. I loved the slow build-up in the beginning for this one, interspersing old recordings of past Greyhawk tracks (really nice touch!). This one had a really great sense of epic washed over it, and the track itself felt like a sort of homage to Greyhawk’s work up to this point. I think this is a pretty strong way to signify that the band is entering a new era with Anthony Corso at the helm. By this point, I really felt like the production was starting to click with me, and the aforementioned Corso’s vocals were doing the same. At just a few ticks over six minutes, this was a bit on the longer side, but it never felt overly such.

    “Words of Power” returned us toward the shorter side of tracks for the album, and for this one I was really enjoying Corso’s vocals. While I felt that the overall instrumentation was a touch simplistic for the majority of its runtime, the guitar solo was a brief showcase of wizardry. Someone that I think many will call an MVP of the album though is definitely drummer Nate Butler, who remains in top-form. However, though the vocals, solo, and drumming, were all great, the track overall run a bit hollow for me.

    Next up was “Chosen”, which was a more mid-tempo track that served to dish up some extra variety on the album. At times verging on epic, the track featured Corso delivering vocals that I found highly reminiscent of previous Greyhawk singer Rev Taylor, but not in a derivative way. The addition of the band chanting the chorus behind the voice of Corso only helped to elevate the track up the ladder of grandeur. The riffs were simple, but they had a purpose and a weight behind them, something I find easy to appreciate. Pretty solid song here.

    “Hyperspace”, a word which I never know whether to hyphenate or not, began as a fairly standard power metal romp, with a slick opening riff. Corso’s vocals here remind me heavily of someone, but I can’t quite my finger on who exactly it is. It’s not so much his performance as it is his delivery and cadence, it’s so familiar. Insane shred-fest of a guitar solo to really steal the show near the end, great stuff all-round.

    “Embers Rise” opened with a riff that reminded me a lot of modern Judas Priest or Vicious Rumors (both underrated eras for both bands). The song itself however felt a tad bit underdeveloped or undercooked. On the whole, it was a solid track in all respects, but it definitely felt a touch too safe for me. However, it was one of the few tracks where I can hear the bass through the production and that makes me appreciate it for that.

    Changing things up completely was “Rise Above”, the penultimate track, which began with a nice melodic instrumental section that delivered an almost reflective mood. Corso joined in with a deep delivery of the opening lines, only further ushering the song into higher territory. His control over his vocal chords is seriously impressive, the way he can effortlessly switch between the deep and high pitches. Throughout the track, especially by the midpoint, I began to wonder if it was building towards something. My thoughts and ponderings proved correct when the song came to a crescendo with a pretty nice closing sequence (wherein the guitar from the very beginning returned for a spell).

    Finally we come to “Eternal Quest”, which opened with an even more melodic guitar part (this one felt much more 80s ballad inspired, like some Ratt or Krokus). The intro sequence lasted a bit over a minute of good buildup before Corso ushered in the song properly with crisp vocals. In terms of tempo, this one kept things more middle-speed for the majority of its runtime, to the point that I admit, it began to feel a touch long in the tooth. A brief, but sharp, guitar solo breaks things up a bit with a nice band-chant sequence that eventually became part of the background (cool touch!). Though overall, I do feel like the prior track was the stronger of the two 6 minute closers.

    Conclusion

    Greyhawk’s third album introduces fans and newcomers to the arrival of new vocalist Anthony Corso, who showcases his exemplary talents throughout. While the sound is a bit different when compared to their previous releases, it isn’t a massive jump, but rather a gradual one if you’ve followed them for some time. The AOR influence from previous album, “Thunderheart” is definitely refined and pushed more towards the front. However, I do feel that the production was a touch too clean and crisp, and at times just simply too much- though think that chalks more up to personal taste. Building on that, the album had a tendency to feel hot and then cold, rather than feeling like a consistent flow was there (though I could’ve just been in the wrong headspace for it).

    TheNwothm Score: 7.5/10

    Links

    Bandcamp: https://greyhawkmetal.bandcamp.com/album/warriors-of-greyhawk

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greyhawkheavymetal

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greyhawkmetal

    Label: https://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/

    Read More Reviews

    #americanHeavyMetal #AOR #Boston #CruzDelSuMusic #dio #epicHeavyMetal #greyhawk #HeavyMetal #Journey #JudasPriest #Krokus #NewAlbum #NewWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #NWOTHM #powerMetal #Ratt #Review #thenwothm #thenwothmCom #VICIOUSRUMORS

    The NwothmJan 8

    Interview: Serpent Rider (USA)

    11–17 minutes

    The Nwothm

    Serpent Rider have carved out a rare place in modern epic heavy metal, blending arcane atmosphere with sharp, instinctive songwriting. Born in Los Angeles and reborn in Seattle, the band have evolved from raw early visions into a fully realised force, culminating in their acclaimed debut “The Ichor of Chimaera.” We caught up with them to explore their origins, their creative path, and the mythic spirit that drives their work.

    https://youtu.be/7BswL5a2O3g?si=HbedEAZmduLp223K

    Interview

    TheNwothm: Serpent Rider began life as Skyway Corsair before evolving into its current form. Can you walk us through the formation, that transformation, and what sparked the change in name and direction?

    S.R: I’m a big Slough Feg fan, and have been since I was a teenager. When I started the band back in 2015, it seemed natural to me to name the band after a Slough Feg song, so I named it after lyrics from High Passage / Low Passage. I started the band playing music very inspired by Slough Feg, but within just a few weeks of coming up with the name, we’d shifted direction; I was listening to a lot of music in the vein of DoomSword, Dr. Doolittle, Trotyl, the more epic Scorpions songs a la Sails of Charon, and that was how my riffing was turning out, so we pivoted the band in that direction rather than try and force something. We kept the name for a while but once we had a lineup change and started to get serious about recording a demo, it became clear that the old band name didn’t really reflect the music, so we changed to one from a Manilla Road song (“ride the serpent and make your stand!”) and didn’t look back.

    TheNwothm: You started in Los Angeles and later moved to Seattle. How did each city shape your sound and identity as a band?

    S.R: Los Angeles has a very, very different scene than Seattle does. I always had a tough time things that are tweaked after repeated rehearsals don’t get tweaked, you may not like song idea as much when you hear it with your full band in the room, and things aren’t jammed out. I say “can be” because of course sometimes you write things and get it right on the first pass and bring a completed song to your band that doesn’t change at all across rehearsals, but across an entire release usually tweaks are made, at least with us.

    When I moved to Seattle, we had to find a new lineup for the band. Seattle’s scene proved a lot more friendly to what Serpent Rider is doing than Los Angeles did and we found a local lineup made up of fantastic, dedicated musicians very easily by comparison. That meant a lot more tweaking things in the rehearsal room or via someone coming over to my house than could ever have happened before the move, which is reflected in the music.

    The actual environments of each city had no real impact on the music, though- I have a vision for the band, and that persisted even as my home switched from a paved over suburb to beautiful woods. I certainly find it inspiring to live somewhere so beautiful now that I am in Washington but my influences are the same wherever I go!

    TheNwothm: Your music is often described as arcane and mystical. How consciously do you lean into those dark undertones, and how much of it emerges naturally from your writing?

    S.R: It’s just the natural result of my songwriting approach and my influences. I am not sitting down and thinking about writing “mystical” songs- but I am definitely thinking about writing songs that sound like Serpent Rider, which I guess is the same thing!

    TheNwothm: When building songs, do you aim deliberately for that arcane grandeur, or does it arise instinctively from your interplay of melody, rhythm, and lyrical themes?

    S.R: I suppose it depends on how you define it. I have a goal in mind when I write, and I want the guitar melodies and song buildups to come together a certain way. I have never sat down and tried to write towards the mood you’re describing, but I have very much sat down and gone hey, this lead guitar part doesn’t quite fit, why not do this instead, which I suppose ends up in the same place. Similarly the lyrics just come from me writing about what I am interested in. Instinctive is a good way to describe it! Like most people in metal I am not a trained songwriter and I have learned to write songs by writing a bunch of songs so everything just comes together based on feeling and the experience I’ve gained over years of writing music.

    Credit John Malley

    https://youtu.be/Kdmah3vWVtI?si=pXTI6cs_jfaQ7W74

    TheNwothm: How do you balance heaviness with melody when crafting your soundscapes?

    S.R: I can’t say I’ve ever thought of it! I just write what comes to my mind and whatever happens, happens. Heavy metal fundamentally needs cool, heavy riffs but it also needs catchy melodies that stick in your head and I’m never writing with the perspective that the two are fighting. Conceptual “heaviness” has never been my jam either, I’m more concerned with if something riffs hard and is memorable.

    TheNwothm: Mythology, fantasy, and history are central to your work. Which specific myths, tales, or historical eras have most directly influenced your songwriting?

    S.R: Ancient Greece and the Middle Ages for sure. As a kid I was obsessed with knights, legends about dragons, and Greek mythology, and as an adult, those are what I write music about in Serpent Rider. Coincidence? I think not. I can’t say that they’re a huge influence in my songwriting though- the period most influential on that is 1970 through 1989!

    TheNwothm: Are there particular authors, books, or films that serve as creative touchstones for Serpent Rider’s lyrical world?

    S.R: I write about what calls to me, and that can mean a variety of things. We’ve written about history, mythology, taken inspiration from poets such as Keats, and from authors ranging from Moorcock to Abercrombie to McCrae and beyond. There are no real limits other than what my own sense of aesthetics tells me is appropriate, or my own sense of contrarianism!

    TheNwothm: Your music feels like it channels ancient stories into modern heavy metal. Do you see yourselves as storytellers as much as musicians?

    S.R: I will let our singer, R. Villar, handle this one- I think for a band like Serpent Rider where aside from the music, it is so lyrically heavy and focuses on a narrative, we have to be story tellers. I don’t think every musician necessarily has to be or that all songs call for it but for our music and our choice of themes, it’s especially important to be to bring life to the concepts and lyrics that’s been written for the songs.

    TheNwothm: If you had to be a character, creature, god from a fantasy book etc what would you choose and why?

    S.R: A hard answer to give! Most fantasy revolves around what you may call events of significance, and so the quality of life of the average person in those books can be rather low or fraught with peril, and as cool as it is to fantasize about being a godly swordmaster, who wants to alternate between 12 hour days of martial training and getting almost killed all the time? Maybe a hobbit, safe in the Shire, sometime well before the events of The Lord of The Rings?

    Credit John Malley

    TheNwothm: Let’s talk about your recorded journey — from demo to full-length. Looking back at Pour Forth Surquidous, what do you feel it captured about Serpent Rider’s earliest vision?

    S.R: It really captured a moment in time I can never get back to, when in 2015/2016 I was totally obsessed with obscure, cult epic metal. Big riffs, lots of atmospheric repetition, and crazy vocals were my thing. I listened to a lot of DoomSword, Dr. Doolittle, Trotyl, the Chastain/Scorpions/Rainbow epic songs, and tried to channel those into my own little obtuse world. My friend Nick from epic metal legends Wrathblade offering to sing on it was the capstone on the whole adventure- Wrathblade was (and is) one of my absolute favorite modern bands in the whole heavy metal sphere and a lot of that was Nick’s cool, wild approach to singing and to medieval-poetry style lyricism.

    TheNwothm: Was the demo more of a raw sketch of ideas, or did you already see the seeds of your current sound in it?

    S.R: Both and neither? Haha! It was definitely a crystalized moment in time that I think has some hints of what Serpent Rider is doing now but was also very much its own thing at the same time; I could never write another song like Portent of Doom not only because I’m a very different writer and guitar player nowadays (I wrote the demo when I’d been playing guitar for less than two years, which definitely impacted the rhythm playing!) but because I obsess over different music and have a lot more influences than I used to. Writing two similar, slow, plodding songs at the time was all I wanted to do. Now I think it’s cool that I did but I have very different goals. A lot of the ideas I started then I still am playing with now, though, and while my influences and goals have expanded, I still have the same ones as well.

    TheNwothm: The split releases (Visions of Esoteric Splendor, Iron and Hell Vol. 2) placed you alongside other bands. How did those collaborations influence your own creative path?

    S.R: They really inspired me to do better; have better recordings, better produced albums, and to push to be as killer as possible. I wasn’t really thrilled with the production on Visions in particular and it pushed me hard to make sure that Ichor would be an improvement in every way.

    TheNwothm: The Ichor of Chimaera marked your first full-length album. How did the writing and recording process differ from your earlier demos and splits?

    S.R: Ichor was our first recording that we were able to really get tight in the rehearsal room, and to play live a significant amount before entering the studio. Every single song on the album other than The Hero’s Spirit was taken on tour with Colony Drop, and before that, every song got played to death in rehearsal. Some of the songs ended up more or less unchanged- Matri Deorum and In Spring were entirely written before we ever jammed them together and stayed the exact same through the whole process, at least structurally, but many of the other songs were radically modified once we got in the room together. Radiant was almost completely rewritten after the first time we rehearsed it because I liked it so much less after hearing it “live”; Steel is the Answer conversely got longer because some of the parts I liked so much more with lead guitar and vocals that they had to be extended!

    I think the writing sounds a lot more organic because of that extra attention that all of the songs got after completion, and the recordings pack a lot more punch because of how fired up we were to get them done. It was still our first studio album and we DIY’d a lot less than in the past so we learned a lot through the process and that means that the next album will have a lot more experience behind it yet. I firmly believe that we should never stop growing and learning as musicians, and as happy as I am with The Ichor of Chimaera, it has me excited to be explaining the difference between it and the next album whenever it comes!

    https://youtu.be/yWHKgzncmyw?si=NrYdQhIVteBqgRcH

    TheNwothm: The title evokes mythological monstrosity and arcane imagery. What specific myths or tales fed into this record’s concept?

    S.R: Funny enough, the title and the lyrics behind the title track actually come from the art, which our friend Karmazid completed for us before our first demo was even out! Gazing at that art and daydreaming about the story behind it led to thinking about the Chimaera, an ancient Greek mythological monster that was descended from the monsters Typhon and Echidna. Chimaera had the head of a lion and the tail of a snake (among other things), and was my first thought upon seeing the art. Several of the other songs are also directly or indirectly about Greek mythology to stay in theme.

    TheNwothm: Which track from The Ichor of Chimaera best represents Serpent Rider’s essence, and why?

    S.R: That’s a tough one, wow! Maybe Tyrant’s March, or Matri Deorum. Both songs represent a lot of the same thing from different directions- big melodies, some rather bizarre song structure choices (I laughed so hard at writing what I called the “Flower Travellin’ Band riff” on Matri Deorum because of how janky the transition into it was that I sent it to all my friends right away- totally me!) and a lot of internal variety of moods and tempos, all of which are sort of hallmarks of my songwriting, and core components about what I like about the band.

    I think it’s boring to write an album that’s the same song six or ten times. Holy Diver had such wonderful variety; it had speed metal on it, doom, mid paced chunkers, and a lot of beauty, hope, darkness, and epicness all mixed together, and that’s what I love, and I love so much to write songs that do all of those things in the same song even more!
    Almost all of the songs on the album try to go in directions that people won’t expect, and I tried to write an album that people will still be finding new details in on relisten way later, be that a cool interplay of guitars or a tempo change they didn’t even notice because of the cool vocal part over it or a key change that shouldn’t work but does. I love music that’s unexpected. I love music that’s not, too, but as a musician, I don’t want to write something that sounds like what a bunch of other bands wrote, even if it loses me fans- I want to write what’s in my heart.

    TheNwothm: What live shows do you have coming up in 2026?

    S.R: We’re doing a couple of festivals in the first half of the year that we’re really looking forward to, Hell’s Heroes in March and Northwest Terror Fest in May, and we’re doing some warmup shows locally for Hell’s Heroes. After that we’re going to take a break and focus on writing! We’ve been gigging nonstop for the last few years and are ready to take a step back from it for a bit.

    TheNwothm: What can fans expect from your upcoming writing and recording sessions? Are you exploring new directions or deepening your established style?

    S.R: You’ll just have to wait and see!

    TheNwothm: How can our readers buy your music and merch?

    S.R: Come see us at one of our upcoming live dates, head to the Nameless Grave Records store, or check out our Bandcamp page!

    TheNwothm: Where can fans follow you online?

    S.R: Fans call follow us on Bandcamp, Instagram, and Facebook, and follow the No Remorse Records and Nameless Grave Records social pages as well!

    TheNwothm: Anything else you would like to mention?

    S.R: Come see us live next year and say hi! Hail and kill! I will leave you with a short playlist of what I have been listening to today-

    Poison Idea – Kings of Punk
    Motorhead – Overkill
    Black Sabbath – Volume 4
    Y&T – Yesterday & Today Live
    Europe – Wings of Tomorrow

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SerpentRiderBand

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serpentriderofficial

    Bandcamp: https://serpentrider.bandcamp.com/

    #epicHeavyMetal #EpicHeavyMetal #HeavyMetal #NewWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #NWOTHM #SerpentRider #TheIchorOfChimaera #thenwothm #thenwothmCom

    The NwothmJan 4

    Band we need you!

    We kick off 2026 ready and raring to go! And to begin we are calling all bands who play Nwothm/Epic/Heavy-Doom and all things in between! Do you have a new album coming out that you want the world to know about? Maybe you are quite new and want to get some exposure? Or maybe you have a big tour coming up that you want to raise awareness for? We might be able to help.

    If you are an artist or in a band and you would like for us to review your album or provide you with coverage, please email us: [email protected]

    You can send materials via platforms like Transfernow

    (We only accept nwothm/nwobhm/epic/heavy-doom and may consider some crossovers like speed and power metal)

    For a review: please send us a digital copy (email to request a physical copy review) of your album/ep along with band photos, a bio, links. Please make sure all files do not have an expiry (we get a lot of emails each week). If you prefer to send a physical copy please let us know in an email.

    For an interview: We are always looking for bands to interview! So drop us an email or make yourselves known and If you fit what we cover, we will be in touch!If we have sent you a mailer interview, please return your completed questions with band photos, a bio, links and any exclusives you want us to include in the write up.

    FAQ:

    Can I send a physical copy for review? At this time, it is much easier for us to review digital copies of albums, etc and it also saves you money on sending out physical copies. But if you prefer to do so drop us an email!

    What genres do you cover? We primarily cover nwothm, epic heavy metal, heavy-doom and nwobhm. We are finding more bands blending heavy metal with the likes of speed metal and power metal so we also cover crossovers.

    Can I send you my album from last year? No, we only cover new releases (within 1-3 months) and reissues. However, please build a connection with us and we will keep you on our radar for future coverage.

    Where does my music, news etc get promoted? If we end up covering your band a post will be created on the site. This is also pushed out to all our social media like Facebook, Instagram etc We also encourage bands to share our content we create about them and link back if possible.

    #bandInterviews #bandNews #bandPromotion #bands #BandsSubmitYourStuff #epicHeavyMetal #heavyDoom #HeavyMetal #NewWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #NWOTHM #PR #promoteMyMusic #reviewMyBand #submitMusic #submitMusicForReview #thenwothm #thenwothmCom #tradMetal

    The NwothmDec 29

    Band of the day: Herzel (France)

    The Nwothm

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiedOra25_o

    Band: Herzel

    Country: France

    Label: Gates of Hell Records

    Members: Thomas Guillesser – Vocals Gurvan Lardeux- Guitars Kèvin Le Vern – Guitars Mordiern Le Dissez- Bass Ion Philippon- Drums

    Album: Le Dernier Rempart

    Track Info: 1. Maîtres de L’Océan 00:00 2. La Flamme 08:36 3. Le Dernier Rempart 13:52 4. Berceau de Cendres 15:34 5. L’épée des Dieux 22:54 6. L’Ultime Combat 28:17

    Links

    Bandcamp:https://herzel-music.bandcamp.com/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herzelbreizhsteel

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herzel_band_official/

    Label: https://www.facebook.com/gatesofhellrecords

    #BandOfTheDay #epicHeavyMetal #FrenchEpicHeavyMetal #FrenchHeavyMeatl #frenchHeavyMetal #HeavyMetal #Herzel #NewWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #NWOTHM