Hailing from Münster, Germany’s HIGH WARDEN was founded by vocalist / guitarist Alastair van Morgue-Gûl and drummer Sadistic Hammer in 2022. The first sign of life from this self-proclaimed “Morgul Doom Commando” was the demo Land of Stone, released in early 2023 by DYING VICTIMS. Initially hired as a live bassist, Lord Perish joined the band as a full-time member that year.

With their lineup thus set, HIGH WARDEN prepare to ride into battle with their full-length debut, Astral Iron. The title serves as an aesthetic springboard for their idiosyncratic sound. Granted, HIGH WARDEN are influenced by legendary bands like Reverend Bizarre, Doomsword, Bathory, Manilla Road, Pagan Altar, Trouble, and Mercyful Fate, but their version of epic heavy / doom metal is as foreign as it is familiar: Slow Heavy Metal, as they accurately refer to it.

Band photo from band Facebook page for free promotional use.