Heaven Shall Burn is a German extreme metal band from Saalfeld, formed in 1995. The band consists of vocalist Marcus Bischoff, guitarists Maik Weichert and Alexander Dietz, bassist Eric Bischoff, and drummer Christian Bass. They are signed to Century Media and have released ten studio albums, alongside other recordings. Their album "Veto" reached number 2 on the German album charts in 2013, and "Of Truth and Sacrifice" reached number 1.
Heaven Shall Burn was originally formed by Maik Weichert and drummer Matthias Voigt under the name Before The Fall. After initial shows, the band renamed to Consense and recorded their first demo, "The Eve of the Storm," in 1997. Marcus and Eric Bischoff joined in 1998, contributing to a second demo and securing a contract with Deeds of Revolution Records. The band renamed itself Heaven Shall Burn prior to releasing their debut EP "In Battle..." in 1998. A split album with Fall of Serenity followed in 1999. Around this time, Michael Hartmann left the band and was replaced by Patrick Schleitzer.
After signing to Lifeforce Records, Heaven Shall Burn released their debut album "Asunder" and their first collaboration with Caliban, "The Split Program," in 2000. They toured Europe and South America. In 2002, the band released "Whatever It May Take" and reissued the "In Battle..." EP, supporting it with tours across several countries, including Greece, Iceland, and the UK, and appearing at festivals such as Party.San, With Full Force, and Wacken Open Air.
After signing with Century Media in 2004, Heaven Shall Burn released "Antigone" on 26 April, with the LP version issued by Lifeforce Records. They filmed a music video for "The Weapon They Fear" and promoted the album on a European tour supported by Maroon, which included their final appearance at Fluff Fest. Following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, they released the charity split single "Tsunami Benefit" with Napalm Death and The Haunted. In 2005, the band released "The Split Program II" with Caliban. That year, Patrick Schleitzer departed and was replaced by Alexander Dietz.
In 2006, Heaven Shall Burn released "Deaf to Our Prayers," with the track "Counterweight" entering the German album charts at number 65. They performed at Summer Breeze Open Air and other festivals, headlined the Hell on Earth Tour with Cataract, Maroon, and God Forbid, and co-headlined a tour with Caliban through Germany and Belgium.
In 2007, the band released a re-mixed version of "Whatever It May Take," which included an acoustic track, "io." They began recording "Iconoclast (Part 1: The Final Resistance)," released in 2008, with the first single "Endzeit." They toured Europe and North America, performing with Aborted, Misery Speaks, Embrace the End, and The Ghost Inside, and celebrated their 10th anniversary in Vienna, which was recorded for the DVD "Bildersturm – Iconoclast II (The Visual Resistance)." The third part of the Iconoclast trilogy, "Invictus (Iconoclast III)," was released in 2010 and entered the German album charts at number 9. Heaven Shall Burn co-headlined a European tour with As I Lay Dying and toured South America in 2011.
In 2012, the band played the Australian Soundwave Festival, toured Southeast Asia, and participated in the Impericon Progression Tour with Unearth, Neaera, Suffokate, Rise to Remain, Malefice, and Adept. They marked their 15th anniversary with a show in Saalfeld.
In 2013, Heaven Shall Burn released "Veto," promoted by music videos for "Hunters Will Be Hunted" and "Godiva." The album reached number 2 on the German charts. They toured Europe with Hypocrisy, Dying Fetus, and Bleed from Within and later toured South America with Parkway Drive in 2014, also appearing at European festivals including Rock am Ring, Rock im Park, Wacken Open Air, Deichbrand, and Summer Breeze Open Air. In 2015, the band sponsored FC Carl Zeiss Jena's football kits as part of the "Support Your Local Team" initiative.
Heaven Shall Burn released "Wanderer" in 2016, with singles "Downshifter" and "Bring the War Home." Their ninth studio album, "Of Truth and Sacrifice," was released on 20 March 2020 as a double album with a deluxe edition including the film "Mein grünes Herz in dunklen Zeiten" ("My green heart in dark times"). Singles included "Protector," "Weakness Leaving My Heart," and "My Heart and the Ocean." Their tenth album, "Heimat," is planned for release on 27 June 2025, accompanied by a short club tour.
Heaven Shall Burn's musical style has been described as metalcore, melodic death metal, and deathcore. Their lyrics often address anti-racism, anti-fascism, resistance, oppression, and animal rights. All members are vegan or vegetarian, and most follow or have followed a straight edge lifestyle.
Studio albums
Asunder (2000)
Whatever It May Take (2002)
Antigone (2004)
Deaf to Our Prayers (2006)
Iconoclast (Part 1: The Final Resistance) (2008)
Invictus (Iconoclast III) (2010)
Veto (2013)
Wanderer (2016)
Of Truth and Sacrifice (2020)
Heimat (2025)
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…shrink me down again