Gloryhammer

Gloryhammer is a British power metal band from the United Kingdom, active since 2010. The group is founded by keyboardist Christopher Bowes, who is also the lead vocalist of Alestorm, and its line-up includes Christopher Bowes, James Cartwright, Paul Templing, Ben Turk and Thomas Winkler. Its music is described as power metal and symphonic metal.

Concept and presentation

The band works as a story-led project in which each member represents a character in the narrative. On stage, the members perform in armour and costumes to reflect those roles.

Recordings and releases

Gloryhammer releases its recordings through Napalm Records. Its debut album, Tales from the Kingdom of Fife, appears in 2013, preceded by the single “Angus McFife”. The band later releases videos for “Universe on Fire” and “Rise of The Chaos Wizards”, and its second album, Space 1992: Rise of the Chaos Wizards, appears in 2015 and brings the band into the official album charts in several countries.

In 2019, the band announces and releases Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex, with the singles “Gloryhammer” and “The Siege of Dunkeld (In Hoots We Trust)” issued in support of it. In 2023, the fourth studio album, Return to the Kingdom of Fife, is released, supported by the singles “Keeper of the Celestial Flame of Abernethy”, “Holy Flaming Hammer of Unholy Cosmic Frost” and “Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol”.

Tours and recognition

Gloryhammer tours with acts including Stratovarius, Blind Guardian and HammerFall. The band also heads out on a 24-date European tour in 2018 and later tours North America with Alestorm. It is nominated for the “Up & Coming” award at the Metal Hammer Awards in 2017 and again in 2018.

Line-up changes

Thomas Winkler leaves the band in 2021, and Sozos Michael becomes the new singer in December of that year. The first single with Michael on lead vocals is “Fly Away”, released in 2022.