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Gloryhammer

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Upcoming Events

Aftershock Festival 2025
Aftershock Festival 2025

2025 10-03 on stage

Get ready to witness the West Coast's ultimate rock, punk, and metal pilgrimage as Aftershock Festival returns to Sacramento's iconic Discovery Park from October 2nd to 5th, 2025. Now in its 13th year, Aftershock has cemented its reputation as a must-attend event, drawing over 160,000 music fans from all 50 states and over 30 countries in previous years. This four-day destination festival consistently delivers a powerhouse lineup of genre titans and rising stars, promising an unparalleled experience for every headbanger and music enthusiast. Aftershock 2025 is set to be bigger and bolder than ever, featuring an impressive roster of over 115 bands performing across four stages. Headliners like Blink-182, Deftones (playing a special hometown show), Korn, and Bring Me The Horizon are poised to ignite the crowds with their electrifying performances. Beyond the main acts, the festival boasts an incredible depth of talent, including highly anticipated reunions like The Dillinger Escape Plan and Chiodos, rare performances, and a strong showing of California's own vibrant rock and metal scene. Whether you're a die-hard fan of classic anthems, the raw power of nu-metal, or the cutting edge of genre-blending rock, Aftershock's meticulously curated lineup ensures there's something to fuel every passion. Beyond the stages, Aftershock Festival offers a complete immersive experience. Set against the scenic backdrop of Discovery Park where the American River meets the Sacramento River, attendees can expect a lively atmosphere filled with a diverse array of food and drink options, engaging art installations, and various other entertainment. The festival has become a significant cultural and economic driver for Sacramento, bringing an estimated $30 million economic impact to the region. With its commitment to showcasing the best in rock, punk, and metal, Aftershock 2025 is not just a festival; it's a celebration of a vibrant global community and a testament to the enduring power of heavy music.

Band Timeline

2010s

Formation and Debut Album Release

Gloryhammer is a British power metal band founded by Christopher Bowes, who is also the lead vocalist of the band Alestorm. The band members each represent characters in a story concept and perform on stage in armor and costumes. The band released their debut album, "Tales from the Kingdom of Fife," on March 29, 2013, establishing their presence in the power metal scene. Ahead of the album's release, they launched the single "Angus McFife" in March 2013, which introduced audiences to their unique blend of thematic storytelling and energetic metal music.
2015

Second Album and Chart Success

In 2015, Gloryhammer released their second studio album, "Space 1992: Rise of the Chaos Wizards," on September 25. Accompanying the album were music videos for "Universe on Fire" and "Rise of The Chaos Wizards" released in August and September respectively. This album helped the band gain notable commercial success, entering official album charts in several countries. Following this release, Gloryhammer toured with prominent metal bands such as Stratovarius, Blind Guardian, and HammerFall, expanding their audience and solidifying their reputation within the metal community.
2017-2018

Recognition and Extensive Touring

Gloryhammer was nominated twice for Up & Coming Band of the Year at the Metal Hammer Awards in 2017 and 2018, an acknowledgment of their rising influence in metal music. In January 2018, they embarked on a demanding headline European tour, performing 24 consecutive shows. Later that year in September, they toured North America with Alestorm, performing 19 shows across the United States and Canada. These tours marked an important phase, showcasing their growing popularity and establishing a strong fan base internationally.
2019

Third Album and Headlining North American Tour

The band announced their third album, "Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex," in early 2019, releasing it on May 31. Singles "Gloryhammer" and "The Siege of Dunkeld (In Hoots We Trust)" were released in April and May respectively. Following the album's release, Gloryhammer headlined their first North American tour in June 2019, supported by Æther Realm. This milestone tour highlighted their significant growth as a band, enabling them to lead large-scale tours abroad independently.
2021

Lineup Changes and Controversy

In August 2021, lead vocalist Thomas Winkler departed the band under contentious circumstances, reportedly being fired due to business and organizational disagreements. Shortly after, leaked internal chat screenshots surfaced revealing offensive and controversial remarks by band members, which tarnished the band's public image. Additionally, allegations of domestic violence against band member James Cartwright emerged. The band addressed these issues publicly in September 2021, apologizing for the leaked remarks while denying the abuse allegations. This period represented a challenging time for Gloryhammer's career and public relations.
2022-2023

New Vocalist and Fourth Album Release

In December 2021, Gloryhammer introduced Sozos Michael as their new lead vocalist, marking a new chapter for the band. The first single with Michael, "Fly Away," was released in April 2022, signaling the band's continuing creative output. In March 2023, they announced their fourth studio album, "Return to the Kingdom of Fife," which was released on June 2, 2023. Several singles supported this album's launch, including "Keeper of the Celestial Flame of Abernethy," "Holy Flaming Hammer of Unholy Cosmic Frost," and "Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol." This phase reflects Gloryhammer's resilience and sustained presence in the metal genre.

Albums

gloryhammer_1st_album
Tales From the Kingdom of Fife
11 tracks
2013
gloryhammer_2nd_album
Space 1992: Rise of the Chaos Wizards
20 tracks
2015
gloryhammer_3rd_album
Legends From Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex
10 tracks
2019
gloryhammer_4th_album
Return to the Kingdom of Fife
10 tracks
2023
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Christopher Bowes

2010

Keyboard

Paul Templing

2010

Electric guitar

James Cartwright

2010

Electric bass guitar

Ben Turk

2010

Drums (drum set)

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Thomas Winkler

2011
2021

Lead vocals

Story of Gloryhammer

Gloryhammer: A Power Metal Epic

Gloryhammer, the brainchild of Alestorm`s keyboardist and vocalist Christopher Bowes, is a British power metal band unlike any other. Their music is a fully realized theatrical experience, with each band member embodying a specific character within their elaborate, ongoing narrative. Onstage, they command attention in full armor and costume, bringing their fictional world to life.

A History Forged in Fife (and Space):

The bands journey began with their debut album, *Tales from the Kingdom of Fife*, released by Napalm Records on March 29, 2013. Preceding the albums release, the single "Angus McFife" premiered on Napalm Records` YouTube channel on March 7, 2013. Subsequent videos for "Universe on Fire" (August 8, 2015) and "Rise of the Chaos Wizards" (September 11, 2015) further fueled their growing fanbase.

Their second studio album, Space 1992: Rise of the Chaos Wizards, hit shelves on September 25, 2015, propelling Gloryhammer onto official album charts across multiple countries and securing them coveted tour slots alongside metal giants like Stratovarius, Blind Guardian, and HammerFall.

The band`s success earned them recognition from the German edition of Metal Hammer magazine, receiving nominations for "Best Up & Coming Band" in both 2017 and 2018. In January 2018, they cemented their status with a triumphant 24-date European headline tour.

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