Hollow Mirror is a 2019 favourite

Hollow Mirror is a 2019 favourite, making it onto multiple best metal album 2019 lists

2019 marked the release year of Hollow Mirror, our debut album.
In addition to beaming reviews, we are honoured to have made it onto the best 2019 metal album highlights of two journalists from danish METALIZED MAGAZINE, the top 2019 list from METAL REVOLUTION and both an album and concert performance top mention from METAL A DAY.

HELLE LOYCHE of METALIZED, who awarded Hollow Mirror a 10/10 review and whom we talked to about the creative process of ETHEREAL KINGDOMS, added us on her personal top 10 alongside bands like AVANTASIA, DEVIN TOWNSEND, BERSÆRK and many others. Thank you so much Helle!

“We gotta have at least one more Danish band on the list. We might not be able to play soccer or tennis, but we damn well know how to make metal!”

Helle Loyche, Metalizex

Journalist CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN of METALIZED, included Hollow Mirror in the “honourable mentions” of his top albums of 2019, in good company with our WACKEN METAL BATTLE DENMARK friends XENOBLIGHT, our DIRTY DAYS OF SUMMER buddies FOREVER STILL and many other amazing bands!


Journalist MIA HALL of METAL REVOLUTION added our collection of 9 ghost stories to her personal top playlist 10 for this year, citing

“An album that captures you from the very first song until the last”

Mia Hall, Metal Revolution
Ethereal Kingdoms debut album Hollow Mirror is featured on Metal Revolution Mia Hall's top 10 of 2019 list.
METAL REVOLUTION‘s MIA HALL added Hollow Mirror to her top 10 of 2019 releases.

She previously awarded Hollow Mirror 5/5 stars for RAVEN ROCK SITE.


Journalist MADS PRISTED included not only HOLLOW MIRROR but also our WINTERSUN support theatrical performance in his 2019 highlights, citing:

“Beware, abroad! Here comes the next big starts from little Denmark! Hollow Mirror is capable of a lot of things for a debut album. It’s great to see a band unafraid of grandiose ambitions and big dreams!”

Mads Pristed, Metal A Day

“Ethereal Kingdoms’ theatrical show almost matched the complex compositions of Wintersun”

Mads Pristed, Metal A Day


He previously reviewed our debut album, where he highlighted the storytelling aspects of our first collection of stories.

‘An excellent debut’ – Devilution review

Hollow Mirror is a 2019 favourite, making it onto multiple best metal album 2019 lists

★★★★☆ from DEVILUTION in this review of HOLLOW MIRROR!
Well-known in the Danish metal scene for their sharp ears and even sharper pens, we are thrilled with the lovely words from journalist Henrik Hjellerup Bro in this review of our debut album.

SOFIA SCHMIDT‘s voice easily spans several octaves and not only is her clean vocal in peak form, she’s also handling the album’s growls. Truly a woman with an excellent organ”

Ethereal Kingdoms live at Royal Metal Fest. Sofia Schmidt with bleeding heart special effect.
From our performance at Royal Metal Fest 2019 Portrait by Jakob Dinesen // Devilution

“ETHEREAL KINGDOMS is a symphonic metal band, but it’s a bit more than that. A significant amount of black metal sneaks its way into the songs.”

Especially ‘ENDINGS’ was highlighted as an example of this, with massive blasts and the duality of Sofia’s growls and clean vocals.

Endings – a story of blind of hope and bitter consequence.
Mighty Music 2019 – Video by Scott Rudd

“The inspiration from NIGHTWISH is present, but opposed to the swedes, ETHEREAL KINGDOMS is carried by guitar, bass and drums rather than long keyboard sequences”

The comparison to the Finnish symphonic legends was also noticed by METAL A DAY’s Mads Pristed in another review.
Devilution’s Henrik Bro continues:

“HOLLOW MIRROR is an excellent full-length debut from ETHEREAL KINGDOMS. This reviewer totally overlooked that in 2019. It could have made its way to the top 5 Danish releases of the year”

DEVILUTION journalist Henrik Kjellerup Bro highlighted BEGINNINGS, ENDINGS and APPARITION from our collection of ghost stories.
What are your favorites on HOLLOW MIRROR?

“Close your eyes and listen” – Metal’art Hollow Mirror review

Ethereal Kingdoms live Wintersun Support Gimle 2019 Christian Rasmussen

4,5 of 5 stars from Metal’art in this review of Hollow Mirror.
Journalist Morbid Domi dared to look at our debut album and states:

“In their mirror, I saw the beauty and the capacity to lay one day a true masterpiece in this very noble style. Close your eyes and listen …”

“The 9 titles composing the work are totally captivating. Their metal is generous in both the refined orchestrations and guitar riffings of Christian Rasmussen. More than in groups yet known worldwide, we find passages very aggressive thanks to the excellent drumming of Jon Elmquist.

Apparition” is already in a level higher than the “Enter” of Within Temptation.”

“The entire album listens without transitions, never tired. “

Morbid Domi, The Metal Art

Thank you so very much!

Other French metal media have taken interest in our 9 ghost stories, such as Metallian, who honored us with our very first foreign print magazine front page feature and a full-page interview.

Enter the world of Hollow Mirror on your streaming service of choice
Get your copy of our debut album on vinyl and CD from the official Target webshop!

“Not an ordinary piece of work” – Aardschok magazine review

Aardschok magazine november 2019 Ethereal Kingdoms review hollow mirror
"___
Sofia Schmidt and Christian Rasmussen
Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun 15th anniversary support
August 30th 2019, Gimle, Roskilde
Portrait by Skoett Photography
Sofia Schmidt and Christian Rasmussen
Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun 15th anniversary support
August 30th 2019, Gimle, Roskilde
Portrait by Skoett Photography

Renowed dutch heavy metal journal Aardschok magazine dived into our debut album in their November 2019 issue.
Hollow Mirror was awarded 85 of 100 score in this review by journalist Laura Waalboer! Thank you!

What did she experience?
What stories did she encounter?
Laura in particular took note to of our song Distance:

“Opener “Distance” starts with a melodic orchestration (…), soon you know, this is not going to be an ordinary piece of work”

“No song is just an up-tempo, a ballad or a melodic song. Each track contains clean vocals, growls, narration, mysterious sounds, opera vocals, guitar solos, whipping drums and everything else in the musical range of symphonic metal. (…) in every song all the singing styles, various arrangements and all the instruments are tumbling over each other.”

“What a courage, what a creativity!”

“Hollow Mirror (…) is a 45-minute fairy tale story with a lead role for singer Sofia Schmidt. She is in possession of a warm, dark voice that, during the clean vocals, resembles Helena Michaelsen, who can also sound an opera tesk, and she also takes care of the growls.”

Laura Waalboer, Aardschok november 2019 issue
https://www.facebook.com/officialaardschok

Thank you so much Aaardschock magazine!
Other metal journalists have shared their experience of Hollow Mirror:

“In league with the big bands” – heavymetal.dk – 8 of 10
“You’re in for an experience” – Metalized – 10/10
“Brings together the opposites” – Classic Rock Magazine
“A perfect balance of brightness and darkness” – Metal Temple – 8 of 10
“Beauty interrupted by brutality” – Calles Rock Corner – 6 of 6

“Brings together the opposites” – Classic Rock Magazine review

Classic Rock Magazine Germany entered the Hollow Mirror soundscape.

On Hollow Mirror, we bring to life 9 ghost stories, set in our theatrical metal soundscape. We explore contrasts, construct beautiful scenery and tear it apart. Spectral voices of massive choirs, numerous guest musicians and classical soloists – our first album was a massive undertaking for us! How does that all come together?

Journalist Matthias Mineur shared his thoughts in the Prog-metal section of the October issue.

Ethereal Kingdoms Hollow Mirror review in Classic Rock Magazine by Matthias Mineur.

“From sugar sweet to gallbitter, from lascivious to hectic, from symphonic to death metal (…) Hollow Mirror brings together the opposites.(…)”

“(…)contrast between the bell-clear soprano and the heavy bark-varying vocals of their frontwoman Sofia Schmidt (…)”

Matthias Mineur, Classic Rock Magazine
Classic rock magazine October 2019 ethereal kingdoms review

Thank you so much, Classic Rock Magazine!


Other printed rock- and metal magazines have also explored Hollow Mirror.
Germany’s Legacy magazine have featured us for both an interview and a review. The same goes for French Metallian, who honored us with a full-page interview feature and a 5 of 6 stars rating for Hollow Mirror.

Scandinavia’s oldest metal magazine Metalized reached out to us for an interview and granted Hollow Mirror a 10 of 10 star review!

Enter the Hollow Mirror dreamscape on your streaming service of choice.
Do you prefer your music the physical way?
CD and Vinyl editions of Hollow Mirror are available at the official target webshop!

“Elegance that keeps the listener pivoting” – Hollow Mirror Dead Rhetoric review

Ethereal Kingdoms live Sofia Schmidt breaking violin live at Royal Metal Fest Jacob Dinesen Devilution

What happens when you combine massive choirs, heartfelt screams, shattered violins, nostalgic melodies, classical soloists and thundering blastbeats?
What happens when you bring nine ghost stories to life set in a theatrical metal sound-stage?

Journalist Matt Coe entered the Hollow Mirror soundscape and awarded our debut album an 8,5 of 10 rating from Dead Rhetoric!

Ethereal Kingdoms live at Royal Metal Fest 2019. Sofia Schmidt shattering a violin at the stage floor. Symphonic metal theatrical performance. Portrait by Jacob Dinesen of Devilution.
“Hope is an illusion we feed ourselves”
Shattering the potential for beauty.
Ethereal Kingdoms live at Royal Metal Fest 2019
Portrait by Jacob Dinesen of Devilution

 “(…) in the case of this quartet, they are willing to incorporate gothic and dark/extreme elements against an elegance that keeps the listener pivoting throughout these nine tracks.”

“(…) the music supporting the singing in a seamless fashion, the extra orchestration and woodwind/classical accents providing the extra cherry layer on top of the proceedings.”

Matt Coe, Dead Rhetoric.com
Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun anniversary support show. Guitarist Christian Rasmussen performing on stage at gimle with guitar. 
Portrait by Skoett Photography.
“I reflect in broken glass”
Christian Rasmussen at Wintersun 15th anniversary support show 2019
Portrait by Skoett Photography


“Guitarist Christian Rasmussen can go from crunchier rhythms to clean passages that convince you of the man’s stellar abilities”
“(…)the group cover “My Kantele” from Amorphis, adding their dual clean/growl slant and giving the song the credit it deserves for being a set list/band favorite since it’s release in 1996.”

“Ethereal Kingdoms (…) do their best to blend their love of gothic, folk, and darker/extreme metal on top of things. Because of this Hollow Mirror will reflect adequately for most who love the diverse approach and attention to catchy melodies/harmonies throughout.”

Matt Coe, Dead Rhetoric.com

“You’re in for an experience” – Metalized
“A surprising record” – Metallian
“A darker take on symphonic metal” – Über Rock

“In league with the big bands” – Hollow Mirror review

Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun support show at Gimle. Sofia Schmidt performing My Kantele by Amorphis in front of crowd.
Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun support show at Gimle. Sofia Schmidt performing My Kantele by Amorphis in front of crowd
“Music will not play to please”
Sofia and Sigurbodi performing My Kantele – Amorphis cover at Wintersun 15th anniversary Support show at Gimle
Portrait by Skoett Photography

★★★★★★★★☆☆ from Heavymetal.dk for Ethereal Kingdoms Hollow Mirror!
One of Denmark’s longest running metal webzines awarded Hollow Mirror a score of 8 of 10 stars in this review.
Journalist Carsten Bach entered the Hollow Mirror dreamscape.
He was thrilled by the storytelling and drew clear parallels to our inspirations from Amorphis, Nightwish and so forth.

He said:

“You don’t need more than a few seconds of listening to place Ethereal Kingdoms in league with the big bands”

“(…) You get the sense, that you will witness a story and not just 9 separate songs.”

“Vocalist Sofia Schmidt clearly demonstrates, that she’s not to be dismissed as a docile pretty voice, for her guttural roars and ear-shattering screams are truly powerful”

Carsten Bach, Heavymetal.dk

★★★★★★★★★☆Thank you so much!
Heaymetal.dk was also present when we unleashed some of the songs from Hollow Mirror for the first time live.
This happened at Royal Metal Fest April 6th 2019 at our theatrical special show:
“I witnessed something unique” – ★★★★★★★★★☆ – Heavymetal.dk

We also spoke with heavymetal.dk before our show at Copenhagen Metal Fest, where we in this interview talk about our inspirations, dreams and what’s on our guilty pleasure playlists!

Explore Hollow Mirror at your streaming service of choice or at your local record store!

Ethereal Kingdoms – Hollow Mirror – Full album playlist

Other metal journalists from all over the world have entered the Hollow Mirror dreamscape as well.

“Dragged out of the comfort zone” – Legacy magazine
“Elegance that keeps the listener pivoting” – Dead Rhetoric
“You’re in for an experience” – Metalized

“A darker take on symphonic metal” – Review of Hollow Mirror

Ethereal Kingdoms live wintersun support by Jannie Ravn Madsen. Sofia Schmidt vocalist with bloody heart special effect.
Ethereal Kingdoms live wintersun support by Jannie Ravn Madsen. Sofia Schmidt vocalist with bloody heart special effect.
“With each step I take, you bleed”
Sofia Schmidt with a torn our heart at Wintersun 15th Anniversary support.
Portrait by Jannie Ravn // blastbeast.dk

Journalist Tim Bolitho-Jones of Über Rock entered Hollow Mirror and found it to be “an impressive piece of work” in this review:

“a darker take on traditional symphonic metal (…) a more horror-inflected vibe and feels grimly oppressive.”

“It’s also notable for the frankly fantastic vocals of singer Sofia Schmidt. Aside from her impressive orchestral range, she also handles the low register death growls and switches between styles in an instant.”

“The likes of ‘Beginnings’ and ‘Ashes Within’ are huge, cinematic slices of Gothic melodrama.” 

Tim Bolitho Jones – Über Rock

Hollow Mirror is our collection of 9 ghost stories and tales of personal tragedy. Our most massive undertaking to date, our debut album was created with the help of numerous guest artists such as icelandic folk musician Sigurbodi, award winning singer-songwriter Amalie Skriver on violin and guest vocals, numerous classical soloists, voice actor Simon Larsen and many more.

We have worked closely with artist Anna Holm to create the visual backdrop for Hollow Mirror by creating unique illustrations for each of the 9 songs.

Enter Hollow Mirror on your streaming service of choice
Vinyl and CD with 12-page illustrated art booklet available at the official Target webshop

“A surprising record” – Review of Hollow Mirror

Journalist Axel Meuriche of French metal magazine Metallian entered Hollow Mirror. He awarded our debut album a grand 5 of 6 stars in this review!
Not only did Metallian feature this review in their September/October issue, they awarded us with a wonderful full page interview feature where we talk about our inspirations, the concepts of Hollow Mirror and how we fuse theatre and metal.

Axel wrote the following about Hollow Mirror:

Ethereal Kingdoms Hollow Mirror review in Metallian. Symphonic metal mighty music 2019

“Hollow Mirror is a surprising record, that any fan of symphonic metal will be able to adopt easily.”

“The dexterity is always at the service of the melody, especially on “Endings” and the little pop side of the style is never too far with “Heartchamber” and “Silent Dance” …


“(…) rich pieces, sublimated by ever indigestible orchestrations that brilliantly accompany the lyrical flights and cries of the beautiful singer, Sofia Schmidt.”

Thank you so much Metallian!

Other media have shared their thoughts about Hollow Mirror as well:
“You’re in for an experience” – 10 of 10 – Metalized
“Beauty interrupted by brutality” – 6 of 6 – Calles Rock Corner
“Like going on a journey” – 5 of 5 – Raven Rock Site
“Each composition is a kingdom of its own” – 12 of 15 – Fireworks Magazine
“A perfect balance of brightness and darkness” – 8 of 10 – Metal Temple

“Not just another symphonic metal band”

Ethereal Kingdoms live review metaladay.dk. Sofia Schmidt with bloody heart special effect at Copenhagen Metal Fest 2019

Hard Rock Info entered the Hollow Mirror soundscape and shared a few thoughts about what they experienced.

Ethereal Kingdoms live review metaladay.dk. Sofia Schmidt with bloody heart special effect at Copenhagen Metal Fest 2019
Sofia Schmidt in a moment of fury at Copenhagen Metal Fest 2019.

Portrait by Anders Groos Mikkelsen of Metal A Day


Our 9 ghost stories were received thusly:


” (…)if you’re a fan of symphonic and melodic metal, and have nothing against a few surprises, then you should at least give this band a try (…)”

“Their music is a little theatrical/cinematic actually, and full of ghost stories. Metal, soprano, growl and harsh vocals are mixed with choirs and a lot of different instruments and different twists and turns. “

“So, this is obviously a very ambitious project, and absolutely not just another symphonic metal band.”

Hard Rock Info

Hollow Mirror is out on 11th of October 2019 via Mighty Music.
Vinyl, CD and digital are available.

We’re incredibly exited to share this with the world. This is our first album, our first physical copies of our music made available to the public.

You’re invited into the Hollow Mirror experience.
Enter. Join us.
Share your thoughts with us on social media.

Other metalheads and metal journalists have experienced the following:

“You’re in for an experience”10 of 10 –Metalized

“Almost near perfection” – 4 of 5 -Metal A Day

“Beauty interrupted by brutality”6 of 6 – Calles Rock Corner

“Each composition is a kingdom of its own” – Fireworks

Dragged out of the comfort zone”– 12 of 15 – Legacy magazine

“A perfect balance of darkness and brightness” – 8 of 10 – Metal Temple

“Dragged out of the comfort zone” – Legacy album review

Legacy Magazine Ethereal Kingdoms

Germany’s Legacy magazine explored the theatrical metal experience which is Ethereal Kingdoms.
Journalist LS awarded Hollow Mirror a grand 12 of 15 stars ★★★★★★★★★★★★☆☆☆as well as an interview feature!

Legacy no 122 front page with review of Ethereal Kingdoms Hollow Mirror
Front page cover of Legacy Magazine no. 122

Journalist LS entered the Hollow Mirror soundscape and emerged with this experience:

“Hollow Mirror” is supported by the surprisingly variable voice of singer Sofia, who not only sings cleanly for several octaves, but likes to scream and growl in between.

“The band does not shy away from dissonances (…) there’s also a nasty bludgeon with a Deathcore touch on a hymnic elf-like vocals, such as on the middle section, Endings’.”

“Hollow Mirror” is a collection of ghost stories, with a 16-voice choir supporting Sofia in the dramatic rendition, as well as guest appearances with Sigurboði Gretarsson, who otherwise indulges in his one-man Niðafjöll command, and songwriter Amalie Skriver.

 “Hollow Mirror” takes time – the typical Crypt Metal crowd is unlikely to enjoy being dragged out of its comfort zone by the unruly arrangements and complex soundscapes – the Danes have the courage.”

Review of Ethereal Kingdoms Hollow Mirror by LS in Legacy Magazine no 122.
Review of Hollow Mirror by LS in Legacy Magazine no 122

Thank you so much Legacy Magazine for featuring Ethereal Kingdoms in your printed magazine!
Explore the interview feature and browse other interviews with internation metal media in our interviews section.

“Each composition is a kingdom of its own” – Fireworks magazine

Ethereal Kingdoms fireworks magazine

82 of 100 points and a top-5 playlist mention for Hollow Mirror in Fireworks Rock & Metal magazine!

Front page of Fireworks Rock & Metal issue no 88 October-December 2019
Fireworks Rock & Metal issue no 88 October-December 2019

Journalist Bruce EJ Atkinson of renowned Fireworks Rock & Metal Magazine entered the Hollow Mirror soundscape.
He awarded us a grand 82/100 points score. Amongst our compositions, he highlighted ‘Distance’, ‘Beginnings’ and our cover of ‘My Kantele’ by our melodeath heroes in Amorphis.

Mr. Atkinson thought the following of Hollow Mirror:

“(…) comprises nine beautifully executed musical journeys (…) the music in each creation is so descriptive and so is the vocal delivery of Schmidt; in case you are wondering …. Yes, those growls are hers – all hers!”

“Each composition is an epic and and each is a kingdoms of its own; they are full of complicated arrangements that are raw and emotional yet finely textured”

“This is a type of performance that seldom works and yet these four musicians make it work all the time.”

“(…) A virtual tempest that showcases the high talents of each member.”

We even made it to the top 5 playlist recommendation from Bruce EJ Atkinson!

Thank you so much Fireworks Rock & Metal!

Other metal media have shared their thoughts on Hollow Mirror. Explore the archive in our reviews section.
10 of 10 – “You’re in for an experience!” – Metalized
6 of 6 – “Beauty interrupted by brutality” – Calle’s Rock Corner
4 of 5 – “Almost near perfection” – Metal A Day
8 of 10 – “A perfect balance of brightness and darkness” – Metal Temple

Hollow Mirror is out on October 11th 2019 via Mighty Music
Pre-add to your streaming service or pre-order Vinyl or CD copy via our official shop.

We celebrate the release of our debut album with a special acoustic performance at Zeppelin Rock Bar with special guests and surprises.

“You’re in for an experience” – Review of Hollow Mirror

Ethereal Kingdoms Metaled
Ethereal Kingdoms Metalized front page October/November 2019 124th issue. 10 of 10 star Hollow Mirror review and interview feature.

★★★★★★★★★★ from Metalized!
The ‘Hollow Mirror’ album reviews keep coming in and we’re so honored by how well our stories and songs have been received by those who listen.
Journalist Hell(e) of Metalized explored the sounds of our debut album and shared her thoughts in the 124th issue of Metalized:

“(…) with a quality nearing that of Nightwish, you’re in for an experience!”

“It’s music that is to be experienced both in your living room and on stage”

“Well worth the money if you enjoy symphonic metal with beautiful, beautiful female vocals”

Thank you so much Metalized!

We are featured in the issue no. 124 (oct/nov 2019), not only with this lovely album review for ‘Hollow Mirror’, but also with an interview by Hell(e).

We talk about our creative process, our record deal with Mighty Music, inspirations, hopes and dreams for the future and how it works when we’re on the road with big names such as Finntroll, Forever Still and Wintersun.

In this magazine, we’re in the great company of Mayhem, Cult of Luna, Baest, Michael Monroe, Soren Andersen, Denner’s Inferno and many many other metal and rock heroes.

Metalized is the longest running rock and metal magazine in Scandinavia, and have published countless interviews with every heavy metal and rock legend imaginable. It goes back to 1987 and is an esteemed and important actor in the metal and rock journalism scene in the nordic countries.

More Hollow Mirror album review:

This is not the only album review we have received from Hollow Mirror. Other metal media have shared their thoughts as well:

“Beauty interrupted by brutality” – 6 of 6 skulls – Calle’s Rock Corner
“A complete range of voices” – 82 of 100 score – Musica.be
“A perfect balance of brightness and darkness” – 8 of 10 stars – Metal Temple
“A very deserving debut” – 7,7 of 10 stars – Lords of Metal

Ethereal Kingdoms Hollow Mirror debut album cover.

“Almost near perfection” – Review of Hollow Mirror

Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun Support Sofia Schmidt vocalist at Gimle

★★★★☆ in this Hollow Mirror review from Metal A Day!

Music journalist Mads Pristed entered the Hollow Mirror soundscape.
He’s a big fan of acts like Nightwish, Epica, After Forever and Within Temptation, so his expectations were high for our first symphonic metal opus.

Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun 15th anniversary support. Vocalist Sofia Schmidt with torn out heart in a performance of Heartchamber.
Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun 15th anniversary support.
Portrait by Skoett Photography

“The singles “Heartchamber” and “Distance” give a good feeling of the soundscape of the album, but it’s on “Beginnings” and “Endings“, that they truly shine. The connection and harmony of the two songs are almost near perfection.”

“Ethereal Kingdoms has an international sound, they are authentic and last but not least believeable, so they have the potential to make it really big. That’s why they get four big stars. “

Thank you so much Metal A Day!

Ethereal Kingdoms live at wintersun 15th anniversary support show at gimle. Sofia Schmidt kneeling on stage with microphone pointing towards guitarist Christian Rasmussen.
Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun 15th anniversary support show.
Portrait by Skoett Photography

This Hollow Mirror review is not our first feature in this renowned Danish metal webzine.

Metal A Day founder and journalist Anders Lundtang has shared his thoughts on the theatrical metal experience on Copenhagen Metal Fest and Nordic Noise.
Mads Pristed, author of this album review was also present at our grandiose show at Wintersun’s first visit to Denmark at their 15th anniversary tour. A night with storytelling, special guests Amalie Skriver, Sigurbodi Gretarsson, The Kingdom Choir and special effects.

Pre-add Hollow Mirror to your streaming service of choice and be among the first to hear the stories or pre-order CD or vinyl through the official shop!

“Beauty interrupted by brutality” – Review of Hollow Mirror

‘Hollow Mirror’ Review

Reviewer Jacob Jørgensen from Calles Rock Corner  gave our upcoming debut album a listen and awarded a grand 6 out of 6 stars in this ‘Hollow Mirror’ review!
★★★★★★

Ethereal Kingdoms Hollow Mirror album cover. Mighty music 2019
Ethereal Kingdoms ‘Hollow Mirror’
The wonderful and strange album cover art was created by talented Anna Holm Sørensen


“It’s a very dreamy and strong release, that brings you into different moods. It’s an exciting journey listening to this album”

“Beauty interrupted by brutality”



“Definitely a band I will follow in the future!”

Thank you so much!

Article in Danish
 🇩🇰

________________

Enter the theatrical metal experience at this one of a kind acoustic concert with special guests, celebrating the release of Hollow Mirror.
We have merch, a signature drink, visual surprises and just a really good party waiting for you this evening.
You are invited! Join us!
🔸11th of October – Ethereal Kingdoms “Hollow Mirror” Release Fest + Koncert – Zeppelin Rock Bar

____________

‘Hollow Mirror’ has been well received by the press already:
Metal Temple – 8 of 10 stars – “A perfect balance of brightness and darkness”
Musica.be – 82/100 score – “A complete range of voices”
Lords of Metal – 7.7 of 10 stars – “A very deserving debut”

Ethereal Kingdoms – Distance
A story of breaking the unbreakable. Beautiful cover artwork by illustrator Anna Holm
Mighty Music 2019

‘Hollow Mirror’ is out 11th of October 2019 via Mighty Music.
You can pre-order it already now and be among the first to explore the 9 new stories on our critically acclaimed album.

🔸Vinyl:

 http://targetshop.dk/prod…/etheral-kingdoms-hollow-mirror-lp

🔸CD:

http://targetshop.dk/prod…/etheral-kingdoms-hollow-mirror-cd

🔸Pre-add Hollow Mirror to your streaming service of choice:
https://backl.ink/24409441

‘A very deserving debut’ – Review of Hollow Mirror

Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun’s 15th anniversary show
Portrait by Skoett Photography

Sjak Roks of Dutch magazine Arrowlords of Metal entered the soundscapes on our debut album Hollow Mirror. He has shared his thoughts in this review here:

“(…) considering that the band has only been around for two years and considering that this is only their first album, we can certainly speak of a very deserving debut.”

“(…) the song material of Ethereal Kingdoms sounds quite bombastic over time, but luckily they regularly alternate with both subdued passages and very aggressive pieces. “

“The soprano vocals, the growls as well as the whisper vocals during the quieter passages are all provided by Sofia and that can be called quite impressive.”

“(…) The songs are definitely worth listening to and especially ‘Ashes Within’ (with its blast beats, heavily set orchestral parts, a very dark atmosphere and a lot of variation in the vocals for me the showpiece of this album) and ‘Endings’ appeal to the imagination(…)”

7,7/10 score! Thank you so much!
★★★★★★★★☆☆
Article in Dutch 🇳🇱

Thank you so much!

Enter Hollow Mirror
October 11th
VinylCDDigital

Pre-add to your preferred streaming service for free

Endings – A story of blind hope and bitter consequence
Video by the magnificent Scott Rudd Films
Mighty Music 2019

Other metal media outlets have said the following about Hollow Mirror:

6 of 6 stars – “Beauty interrupted by brutality” – Calle’s Rock Corner
82/100 score – “A complete range of voices” – Musica.be
8 of 10 stars – “A perfect balance of brightness and darkness” -Metal Temple
10 of 10 stars – “You’re in for an experience” – Metalized

‘A complete range of voices’ – Review of Hollow Mirror

Ethereal Kingdoms live performance featuring Sigurbodi Gretarsson.
Portrait by Jannie Ravn for Blastbeast.dk
30th of August 2019
From our special theatrical show featuring Sigurbodi Gretarsson (left) at Wintersun‘s 15th anniversary

Luc from musica.be immersed himself into our theatrical metal universe in this review for the site musica.be
His 82/100 score and thoughts of the album is summarized here:

“Maybe next year we will have to say that we found “Hollow Mirror” to be one of the better albums of the year”

“(…) this sounds a lot darker and more threatening than most in this genre (…) mainly reflected in the vocals and the threat that comes from a whole bunch of fragments.”

“Sofia has a complete range of voices ranging from powerful clean vocals (…) to extremely deep and heavy growls that a bunch of male colleagues cannot imitate!”

Review in Belgian 🇧🇪

Hollow Mirror is out October 11th 2019 on digital, CD and vinyl.

We celebrate with a wonderful acoustic concert release party at Zeppelin Rock bar with special guests and surprises.
Join us 11th of October at 19.30
You are invited
_________

🔸Pre-add to your streaming service: https://backl.ink/24409441

Other media say the following about ‘Hollow Mirror’:
‘A perfect balance of brightness and darkness ‘ 8 of 10 stars – Metal Temple
‘A very deserving debut’ 7,7 of 10 stars – Arrow Lords of Metal

‘A perfect balance of darkness and brightness’ – Review of Hollow Mirror

Ethereal Kingdoms live performance at Wintersun 15th anniversary show at Gimle 2019
Portrait by Skoett Photography
30th of August 2019, Gimle
From our special theatrical show at Wintersun’s 15th Anniversary show


Paul Romero took the dive into the Hollow Mirror. He has awarded our debut album ★★★★★★★★☆☆, landing it in the”Excellent”-category in a review from  Metal Temple! 🇬🇧

“A perfect balance of darkness and brightness”

“This band has a good chance of becoming a new force in the genre (…) definitely on my ‘bands to watch out for’ list.”

“This is the first time I felt this certain tickle in my chest”

Read the full article here
http://www.metal-temple.com/…/cd_3/e_2/ethereal-kingdoms.htm

Thank you so much!

Follow Metal Temple on facebook and check out their blog for more reviews of both shows and releases from metal bands from all over the world

Creating Hollow Mirror was an intense and very rewarding process for all of us in the band. When we got our record deal in late September 2018, we immediately started the process of creating new songs and stories for the album. The direction and universe was already set so the stories and soundscape seemed to create themselves at times. We started the first recordings already in November 2018 and finished the last recording in late January 2019. We were overwhelmed by the interest and support of our numerous guest artists. It was truly something magical to hear the lines you’ve written played by real people with their own interpretation. All this intensity, excitement, big emotions and sleepless nights went into Hollow Mirror. This being our first album, it is really close to our hearts and we hope that you will enjoy exploring the soundscape we have made for you!

Pre-order ‘Hollow Mirror’ today

http://targetshop.dk/product/etheral-kingdoms-hollow-mirror-lp
http://targetshop.dk/product/etheral-kingdoms-hollow-mirror-cd

Pre-add Hollow Mirror to your favourite streaming service for free

Other media say the following about ‘Hollow Mirror’:
‘A very deserving debut’ – Arrow Lords Of Metal
‘A complete range of voices’ – Musica.be