Greek Band Announces New Album | Royal Altar Prepares For Another Battle
Traditional, epic, and combative Heavy Metal doesn’t seem to be one of the most sought-after subgenres within Metal. At least, that’s the impression one gets when reading and checking out the various Metal publications and media outlets that exist today. That doesn’t mean this subgenre has disappeared or lacks a following. Perhaps it’s the establishment that, for some curious reason, doesn’t give bands like the ones we’re discussing here the recognition they deserve.
We’ve known about Royal Altar for some time now—a band from Greece that has been fighting for its place by pouring strength and guts into its music, with a clear influence from the intricate Epic Metal of the genre’s early days, drawing heavily on bands like Manilla Road, Virgin Steel, Manowar, etc., and that alone makes them special—at least to us, who support anything and everything related to people who fly the flag of True Heavy Metal.
That’s why, in addition to having their only album to date (“Warrior’s Dance”) in our hands, we’ve been following them closely for some time now—not to mention that we previously published our review of that album and conducted a lengthy interview with them—but news these days moves fast with the flow of social media, which is why we thought it was a good time to check in with the band again about what’s coming up for Royal Altar—nothing more and nothing less than a new album.
“Yes, we’re working on new material”, confirmed Trias, the band’s guitarist. “We’ re writing, composing and recording. It’s not a concept album, but it has a central idea. It’s about the forces of light and the last days that are coming soon! The days of our final stand!” he says.
Royal Altar released the aforementioned “Warrior’s Dance” in 2024, and it seems like it’s about time for its successor to arrive. Apparently, the band plans to release it in the autumn (our spring here in the Southern Hemisphere), although there’s no set deadline yet. “We don’t have an exact date because we must at first find a label!” the band’s guitarist told us.
One thing that intrigued us—but that we were sure Royal Altar would maintain in this upcoming new material—is the style the band has developed and cultivated over the years. “It will be a more heavy, epic and power metal album and less progressive and experimental. More metal, simpler and straight forward like a milestone”, Trias assured us, so we can expect a lot more Heavy Metal!!! And to confirm this, Trias himself states, “We’ll continue in the same vein. But heavier and more power & epic. We want to remember our roots. A true heavy metal release. The slogan of our time is “keep it true”!!! (something we wholeheartedly agree with!!).
We were also curious about the recent release, earlier this year, of a cover that Royal Altar put out—complete with a music video—of Oliver Anthony’s “Rich Men North Of Richmond,” a country song that the Greeks surprised us with by reimagining it in their own unique style. “The “Rich men…” cover will not be in the album”, Trias confirmed, but he has his reasons: “One reason, it’s too Hard Rock for the Album. Second reason, we don’t have a deal with Oliver’s management. We have just messaged on line for this kind of use and with no profit arrangements”, he told us, adding that “I have a great respect for Chriss (Oliver Anthony) and the song. We thought that the message of the song is necessary and fit for the rock and Metal community… and for every simple guy and lady in Europe, too! I, as Sotos, would like to do more of such songs (as cover songs) just for the social or spiritual message”
So it wouldn’t be any surprise if Royal Altar releases a cover in the future that isn’t strictly related to Heavy Metal. They’ll make sure to give it the necessary “Metal” edge to make the message even more powerful! We’re sure of that!!!
But while we wait for the new material the guys from Royal Altar have been working on, they’ve sent their regards to all our readers—and especially to those of us on this side of the planet: “We send you our love to your viewers! We greet you goodbye! Fight the good fight, believe what is right… we are the last bearers of the flame!”
And to give you a sense of where we stand, and to discover the power and passion that Royal Altar embodies, we’re sharing two interesting music videos below featuring the band’s latest releases: the song “Metal,” from the album “Warrior’s Dance,” and their cover of Oliver Anthony’s “Rich Men North Of Richmond”—at least until the new album comes out….
https://www.facebook.com/royalaltarband
