Heaven Shall Burn
Encyclopedia
Heaven Shall Burn is a German heavy metal
band from Saalfeld, formed in 1996. They combine an aggressive metal sound with lyrics that show a militant support of anti-racism
and fighting social injustice
. All members of the band are vegan.
album titled Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered
. In an interview, the band said, "It's not that we're huge Marduk fans, but we liked the name. It sounds a bit provoking and so people ask us again and again for the meaning behind our name. It has been like that since the very beginning. We use the term heaven as a metaphor
for some kind of a fake paradise that people create in their heads. Some people close their eyes and don't see the truth surrounding them. So this kind of fake heaven should burn. Some people might think that our name is an anti-religious statement, but it isn't."
In 1998 the band released an MCD
entitled "In Battle There Is No Law" followed by a split-LP with "Fall of Serenity" in 1999. Following these releases the band signed with Lifeforce Records
, and in 2000 they released their debut album, Asunder. It was followed by a split-CD with their long-time friends Caliban
in 2000, as well as the 2002 album Whatever it May Take. In 2002, In Battle, there is No Law was re-released through Circulation Records.
Upon the release of Whatever it May Take, Heaven Shall Burn toured England
, South America
, and Iceland
. There, the band met Ólafur Arnalds
, who wrote three Western classical
-style interlude parts for its album Antigone: "Echoes," "Risandi Von," and "Deyjandi Von." The three songs consist mostly of violin
and piano
, although in Echoes and Risandi Von one can hear weak noises of a war raging in the background.
In 2004, the band released "Antigone" through Century Media Records
, which featured more of a melodic edge because of more harmonies and Scandinavian-style dual-guitar work. The album was produced by Patrick W. Engel and engineered by Ralf Müller at Rape of Harmony Studios, Germany. It was mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studio, Denmark.
In December 2005, guitarist Patrick Schleitzer left the band amicably. He was replaced by Alexander Dietz, who had already performed guest vocals on some of the band's prior tracks.
In 2006, Heaven Shall Burn released Deaf to Our Prayers via Century Media Records. It was recorded and mixed by producer Jacob Hansen (Mercenary, Raunchy) and following its release, Deaf To Our Prayers entered the official LP charts in Germany at position 65 and in Greece at position 50. The band supported the album with the Hell on Earth Tour throughout Europe, featuring As I Lay Dying
and Evergreen Terrace
. They toured with Caliban in December 2006 and played on festivals like the Rock Hard Festival and Wacken Open Air
Festival in 2007.
The popular and critically acclaimed album "Whatever it May Take" saw a re-release in 2007. The album was a remix of the original recordings and contained no additional material, with the exception of the addition of the track "io", which was a long-forgotten acoustic piece played by Patrick Schleitzer. The album included new artwork and a new song order.
In February 2008, Iconoclast (Part One: The Final Resistance)
was released to positive reviews from critics and fans alike. The album lyrically reviews subjects such as Laicism, Nietzsche's “God is dead
” philosophy, heroes of the German Resistance
in World War II
, and their country's ongoing struggle to reconcile with its past. This is a concept album and each song is related to the story of the Iconoclast, a breaker or destroyer of images, esp. those set up for religious veneration.
In May 2009, Heaven Shall Burn released their first DVD, Bildersturm - Iconoclast II (The Visual Resistance). The DVD contains footage of two concerts – Summerbreeze Festival in Germany and Vienna, Austria – both performed in 2008. A bonus CD was released with live performances from both concerts, as well as special features and documentary footage.
Their latest album, Invictus (Iconoclast III)
, was released in Germany on 21 May 2010 and in the United States in early June of the same year.
. The band has covered Contrition/Fall of Serenity ("Contrition"), Day of Suffering ("The Eternal Jihad"), Abhinanda ("Competition by Hatred"), Bolt Thrower ("The IVth Crusade"), Liar ("Battlecries"), Point of No Return
("Casa de Caboclo"), Disembodied ("Dislocation"), Hate Squad ("Not My God"), Die Skeptiker
("Straßenkampf"), Merauder
("Downfall of Christ"), Endstand
("Destroy Fascism"), Edge of Sanity
("Black Tears"), Paradise Lost
("True Belief"), Tiamat
("Whatever That Hurts") and Therapy?
("Nowhere").
Previous members
Session members
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Saalfeld, formed in 1996. They combine an aggressive metal sound with lyrics that show a militant support of anti-racism
Anti-racism
Anti-racism includes beliefs, actions, movements, and policies adopted or developed to oppose racism. In general, anti-racism is intended to promote an egalitarian society in which people do not face discrimination on the basis of their race, however defined...
and fighting social injustice
Social injustice
Social injustice is a concept relating to the claimed unfairness or injustice of a society in its divisions of rewards and burdens and other incidental inequalities...
. All members of the band are vegan.
Biography
Heaven Shall Burn was formed in Autumn 1996, under the name Consense. With the recording of its second demo in early 1997, the band changed its name to Heaven Shall Burn. The name is taken from a MardukMarduk (band)
Marduk is a black metal band from Norrköping, Sweden. The band formed in 1990 and released their first record in 1991. Their name is derived from the Babylonian god Marduk, patron deity of Babylon.-Musical style:...
album titled Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered
Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered
Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered is the fourth studio album by Swedish black metal band Marduk. It was recorded and mixed at The Abyss in January 1996 and released on July 1 that year by Osmose Productions. It was re-released in digipak format with bonus tracks on June 27, 2006. Heaven...
. In an interview, the band said, "It's not that we're huge Marduk fans, but we liked the name. It sounds a bit provoking and so people ask us again and again for the meaning behind our name. It has been like that since the very beginning. We use the term heaven as a metaphor
Metaphor
A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that uses an image, story or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea; e.g., "Her eyes were glistening jewels." Metaphor may also be used for any rhetorical figures of speech that achieve their effects via...
for some kind of a fake paradise that people create in their heads. Some people close their eyes and don't see the truth surrounding them. So this kind of fake heaven should burn. Some people might think that our name is an anti-religious statement, but it isn't."
In 1998 the band released an MCD
Maxi single
A maxi single or maxi-single is a music single release with more than the usual two tracks of an a-side song and a b-side song.-The first maxi singles:...
entitled "In Battle There Is No Law" followed by a split-LP with "Fall of Serenity" in 1999. Following these releases the band signed with Lifeforce Records
Lifeforce Records
Lifeforce Records is a German record label that specializes in metalcore, death metal, and post-hardcore. Their current roster contains bands such as Burning Skies, This or the Apocalypse, Light Pupil Dilate and Nightrage, and they have helped to launch the careers of a number bands who went on to...
, and in 2000 they released their debut album, Asunder. It was followed by a split-CD with their long-time friends Caliban
Caliban (band)
Caliban are a five-piece metalcore band from Germany. They have released seven studio albums to-date, and two split albums with the band Heaven Shall Burn.-History:...
in 2000, as well as the 2002 album Whatever it May Take. In 2002, In Battle, there is No Law was re-released through Circulation Records.
Upon the release of Whatever it May Take, Heaven Shall Burn toured England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, and Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
. There, the band met Ólafur Arnalds
Ólafur Arnalds
Ólafur Arnalds is a multi-instrumentalist and producer from Mosfellsbær, Iceland. Ólafur Arnalds mixes strings and piano with loops and edgy beats crossing-over from classical to pop....
, who wrote three Western classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
-style interlude parts for its album Antigone: "Echoes," "Risandi Von," and "Deyjandi Von." The three songs consist mostly of violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
and piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, although in Echoes and Risandi Von one can hear weak noises of a war raging in the background.
In 2004, the band released "Antigone" through Century Media Records
Century Media Records
Century Media Records is an Independent record label with offices in the United States, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom.- Background :...
, which featured more of a melodic edge because of more harmonies and Scandinavian-style dual-guitar work. The album was produced by Patrick W. Engel and engineered by Ralf Müller at Rape of Harmony Studios, Germany. It was mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studio, Denmark.
In December 2005, guitarist Patrick Schleitzer left the band amicably. He was replaced by Alexander Dietz, who had already performed guest vocals on some of the band's prior tracks.
In 2006, Heaven Shall Burn released Deaf to Our Prayers via Century Media Records. It was recorded and mixed by producer Jacob Hansen (Mercenary, Raunchy) and following its release, Deaf To Our Prayers entered the official LP charts in Germany at position 65 and in Greece at position 50. The band supported the album with the Hell on Earth Tour throughout Europe, featuring As I Lay Dying
As I Lay Dying (band)
As I Lay Dying is an American metalcore band from San Diego, California. Founded in 2000 by Tim Lambesis and having completed their first Line-up in 2001, the band consists of vocalist Tim Lambesis, drummer Jordan Mancino, lead guitarist Nick Hipa, rhythm guitarist Phil Sgrosso, and bassist Josh...
and Evergreen Terrace
Evergreen Terrace (band)
Evergreen Terrace is a five-piece melodic hardcore/metalcore band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1999, they are named after the street on which The Simpsons claim residence...
. They toured with Caliban in December 2006 and played on festivals like the Rock Hard Festival and Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air is a summer open air heavy metal music festival. It takes place annually in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany...
Festival in 2007.
The popular and critically acclaimed album "Whatever it May Take" saw a re-release in 2007. The album was a remix of the original recordings and contained no additional material, with the exception of the addition of the track "io", which was a long-forgotten acoustic piece played by Patrick Schleitzer. The album included new artwork and a new song order.
In February 2008, Iconoclast (Part One: The Final Resistance)
Iconoclast (Part 1: The Final Resistance)
Iconoclast is the fifth studio album by the German metalcore band Heaven Shall Burn. The album was released in Europe on 28 January 2008, followed by an American release on 5 February 2008; both dates through Century Media Records.The album entered the German Media Control chart at No...
was released to positive reviews from critics and fans alike. The album lyrically reviews subjects such as Laicism, Nietzsche's “God is dead
God is dead
"God is dead" is a widely-quoted statement by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. It first appears in The Gay Science , in sections 108 , 125 , and for a third time in section 343...
” philosophy, heroes of the German Resistance
German Resistance
The German resistance was the opposition by individuals and groups in Germany to Adolf Hitler or the National Socialist regime between 1933 and 1945. Some of these engaged in active plans to remove Adolf Hitler from power and overthrow his regime...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and their country's ongoing struggle to reconcile with its past. This is a concept album and each song is related to the story of the Iconoclast, a breaker or destroyer of images, esp. those set up for religious veneration.
In May 2009, Heaven Shall Burn released their first DVD, Bildersturm - Iconoclast II (The Visual Resistance). The DVD contains footage of two concerts – Summerbreeze Festival in Germany and Vienna, Austria – both performed in 2008. A bonus CD was released with live performances from both concerts, as well as special features and documentary footage.
Their latest album, Invictus (Iconoclast III)
Invictus (Iconoclast III)
Invictus is the sixth studio album by German Metalcore band Heaven Shall Burn and is the last part of the Iconoclast trilogy, following their previous studio album Iconoclast and the live CD/DVD Bildersturm: Iconoclast II .It was released on 21 May 2010 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland...
, was released in Germany on 21 May 2010 and in the United States in early June of the same year.
Cover songs
Most of Heaven Shall Burn's studio recordings include at least one cover songCover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
. The band has covered Contrition/Fall of Serenity ("Contrition"), Day of Suffering ("The Eternal Jihad"), Abhinanda ("Competition by Hatred"), Bolt Thrower ("The IVth Crusade"), Liar ("Battlecries"), Point of No Return
Point of No Return (band)
Point of No Return was a vegan, straight edge metalcore band. The band started in 1996 as a side project of Self-Conviction members, in São Paulo, Brazil. The band's lyrics were focused on "Third World struggles" and animal liberation issues. Point Of No Return first CD, "Centelha" , was released...
("Casa de Caboclo"), Disembodied ("Dislocation"), Hate Squad ("Not My God"), Die Skeptiker
Die Skeptiker
Die Skeptiker is a German punk band, founded in 1986 in East Berlin.Die Skeptiker were part of the so called Die anderen Bands which played political lyrics that criticised life in the GDR.In 2000, their singer, Eugen Balanskat, founded Roter Mohn...
("Straßenkampf"), Merauder
Merauder
-History:The group formed in 1990, establishing itself on the eastern U.S. hardcore/metal scene through frequent touring and a few demo releases. In 1995, the band released an EP after vocalist Jorge joined, and toured with Biohazard...
("Downfall of Christ"), Endstand
Endstand
Endstand was a four member hardcore punk band from Finland. Since they formed in 1996 they have released six full length albums, a couple EPs and many splits...
("Destroy Fascism"), Edge of Sanity
Edge of Sanity
Edge of Sanity was a Swedish death metal band. Edge of Sanity are regarded alongside Opeth as being the first to fuse extreme metal styles like death and black metal with progressive rock.- History :...
("Black Tears"), Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost (band)
Paradise Lost are a heavy metal band that formed in 1988 in Halifax, England.-History:Their first three full-length albums are examples of the death/doom style, although the latter two incorporated some melodic and gothic elements...
("True Belief"), Tiamat
Tiamat (band)
-Biography:Initially, the band played straightforward black metal under the name Treblinka. After having recorded the album Sumerian Cry in 1989, vocalist/guitarist Johan Edlund and bassist Jörgen Thullberg parted ways with the other two founding members, and subsequently changed the name to Tiamat...
("Whatever That Hurts") and Therapy?
Therapy?
Therapy? is an alternative metal band from Northern Ireland. The band was formed in 1989 by guitarist–vocalist Andy Cairns from Ballyclare and drummer-vocalist Fyfe Ewing from Larne, Northern Ireland. The band initially recorded their first demo with Cairns filling in on bass guitar...
("Nowhere").
Members
Current members- Marcus Bischoff – vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Maik Weichert – guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
- Alexander Dietz – guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
- Eric Bischoff – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Matthias Voigt – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Previous members
- Patrick Schleitzer – guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
(1998–2005)
Session members
- Patrick W. Engel – bass on "Whatever It May Take"
- Andre MoraweckMaroon (band)Maroon is a German Heavy Metal band based in Nordhausen. They were formed in 1998.-History:Maroon released a demo cassette in 1999 entitled The Initiate although all four songs can be found on later releases...
– live vocals - Christian Bass – live drums
- John GahlertDeadlock (metal band)Deadlock is a German melodic death metal band from Schwarzenfeld, Bavaria, Germany. In 2010 they supported Lacuna Coil.-History:Formed in 1997 as a death metal band by vocalist Johannes Prem, guitarist Sebastian Reichl and drummer Tobias Graf, they released the 7" vinyl Deadlock in 1999...
– live vocals
Studio albums
- AsunderAsunder (album)Asunder is the first full-length album by Heaven Shall Burn, released in 2000.- Track listing :All songs were written by Maik Weichert, except where noted.# "To Inherit the Guilt" – 3:05# "Cold" – 4:20# "Betrayed Again" – 3:52# "Deification" – 5:11...
(2000) - Whatever It May TakeWhatever It May TakeWhatever It May Take is the second studio album released by German Metalcore band Heaven Shall Burn.-Track listing:All songs were written by Maik Weichert, except "Casa de Caboclo", originally written and performed by Point of No Return....
(2002) - AntigoneAntigone (album)Antigone is the third full-length album of the German Metalcore band Heaven Shall Burn. The title was inspired by the female character of the play Antigone by Sophocles. The play is about a passionate young woman, that does what she knows is right, even though it is against the law. She makes sure...
(2004) - Deaf to Our PrayersDeaf to Our PrayersDeaf to Our Prayers is the fourth full-length album by the German Metalcore band Heaven Shall Burn. The title was inspired by the famous poem "The Silesian Weavers" by German poet Heinrich Heine. The first video released for this album was of the song "Counterweight"...
(2006) - Iconoclast (Part 1: The Final Resistance)Iconoclast (Part 1: The Final Resistance)Iconoclast is the fifth studio album by the German metalcore band Heaven Shall Burn. The album was released in Europe on 28 January 2008, followed by an American release on 5 February 2008; both dates through Century Media Records.The album entered the German Media Control chart at No...
(2008) - Invictus (Iconoclast III)Invictus (Iconoclast III)Invictus is the sixth studio album by German Metalcore band Heaven Shall Burn and is the last part of the Iconoclast trilogy, following their previous studio album Iconoclast and the live CD/DVD Bildersturm: Iconoclast II .It was released on 21 May 2010 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland...
(2010)
Compilation albums
- In Battle... (There Is No Law) (2002)
- Voces Del Underground (2007)
- A Century Of Classics (2008, Century Media compilation)
DVDs
- Bildersturm – Iconoclast II (The Visual Resistance) (2009) - contains live material from Summer BreezeSummer Breeze Open AirSummer Breeze Open Air is a heavy metal music festival in Germany. It takes place annually in Dinkelsbühl, Bavaria. It was first held in 1997. The festival had been held in Abtsgmünd until 2006 when it was moved to its new location of Dinkelsbühl. The festival draws around 40,000 attendees annually...
2008 and a live performance in Vienna during September 2008.
Other releases
- Heaven Shall Burn / Fall of SerenityHeaven Shall Burn / Fall of SerenityHeaven Shall Burn and Fall Of Serenity split LP- Track listing :Heaven Shall Burn side# "Enemy Unseen"# "Ultima Ratio"# "If This Is A Man"# "Contrition"# "Unknown"Fall Of Serenity side# "Forgotten Flames"# "Ratings By Blood"...
(1999) - split with Fall of Serenity - The Split ProgramThe Split Program2000s Split Program saw Lifeforce Record's Labelmates Caliban and Heaven Shall Burn join forces in this European metalcore standard. Released January 1, 2000, Heaven Shall Burn saw the simultaneous release of their debut full length album Asunder. Caliban have since redone "A Summerdream" and the...
(2001) - split with CalibanCaliban (band)Caliban are a five-piece metalcore band from Germany. They have released seven studio albums to-date, and two split albums with the band Heaven Shall Burn.-History:... - Tsunami Benefit CD-Single (2005) - split
- The Split Program IIThe Split Program II2005's The Split Program II saw Caliban and Heaven Shall Burn join forces for a second time.-Track listing:Heaven Shall Burn2005's The Split Program II saw Caliban and Heaven Shall Burn join forces for a second time....
(2005) - split with Caliban - Century Media: Covering 20 Years Of Extremes (2008) - Century Media bands covering each other