Ethereal Kingdoms

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  • Nordic Noise 2022 pre-party event

    Nordic Noise 2022 pre-party event

    Nordic Noise Festival 2022 – Pre Party evetn
    High Voltage, Copenhagen
    May 5th 2022
    With BATTERING RAM and ARSENIC ADDICT

    We return to Nordic Noise with an intimate, intense and exclusive event at HIGH VOLTAGE, Copenhagen.
    We celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the beloved Copenhagen metal festival this year.
    Presenting a new song from our upcoming album, delivering an ever-evolving visual and theatrical aesthetic, this night is sure to be one to remember.

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    Full Lineup

    BLIND GUARDIAN (DE) – SOILWORK (SE) – LIV SIN (SE) – ELECTRIC BOYS – TRANSPORT LEAGUE – BATTERIN RAM – KICKIN VALENTINA – KONKHRA -DETEST – THORIUM – TYGERS OF PAN TANG (UK) – MANTICORA – ARTILLERY – ETHEREAL KINGDOMS – ARSENIC ADDICT

    “NORDIC NOISE FEJRER 10-ÅRS JUBILÆUM I 2022 – Og præsenterer det mest ambitiøse program i festivalens historie
    Med det ikoniske tyske heavy metal band BLIND GUARDIAN øverst på plakaten, der senest i 2016 imponerende med en helt proppet koncert på Copenhell, beviser Nordic Noise at de nu er blandt sværvægterne inden for den danske rock og metal festival scene.
    Devilution kvitterede for i øvrigt for Copenhell koncerten med 4/5 stjerner og overskriften ”Ventetiden værd” og heavymetal.dk med 8/10 stjerner.

    De melodiske svenske darlings fra SOILWORK er det sikre valg som den anden headliner, der joines af et andet svensk band med vind i sejlene, LIV SIN. Ellers bydes der velkommen tilbage til nogen af festivalens største oplevelser gennem årene i form af svenske ELECTRIC BOYS, TRANSPORT LEAGUE, BATTERIN GAM og amerikanske KICKIN VALENTINA.

    Og sammen med de allerede annoncerede danske dødsmetal navne KONKHRA og DETEST, joiner et tredje veteranband inden for genren, THORIUM.

    Til fans af den mere traditionelle metal, har Nordic Noise 2022 allerede annonceret festivalfavoritterne TYGERS OF PAN TANG fra England der gør hattrick på festivalen og sejlivede MANTICORA og ARTILLERY.

    Torsdag aften kickstartes på spillestedet High Voltage i København, hvor danske ETHEREAL KINGDOMS og ARSENIC ADDICT vil varme godt op for løjerne.

    Adgang til denne koncert fås kun via en gæsteliste der eksklusivt tilbydes via først-til-mølle-princippet til alle der har købt Early Bird billetter til Nordic Noise 2022. 

    Der brygges i disse dage en Nordic Noise 10-års jubilæums øl i og i Angioni Studios skrives der lige nu løs på en Nordic Noise dekade hyldestsang, der går rygter om er inspireret af en vis Dio hyldestsang fra 80erne.
    Årets Plakat 2022 hedder ”The Royal Vapula” og er udført af Karsten Sand (Copenhell, Mercyful Fate, Volbeat)”

  • ROYAL METAL FEST 2022

    ROYAL METAL FEST 2022

    Royal Metal Fest.
    VoxHall, Århus, Denmark
    April 1st 2022.

    “Et eksplosivt kalejdoskop af lyd, æstetik og eksperimentende sceniske udtryk udfoldes, når Ethereal Kingdoms går på scenen til Royal Metal Fest for anden gang. Med udgangspunkt i det teaterkoncept de udviklede op til deres optræden i 2019, lover bandet, at de har nogle helt særlige overraskelser med i ærmet til publikum.
    Vær bl.a. vidne til de allerførste toner fra bandet kommende 2. album “Procession” (2023 Mighty Music), da der i samarbejde med udvalgte sangere fra Roskilde Domkirkes Herrekor uropføres en sang fra albummet. Kom derfor og lad dig forføre at bandets underfulde univers, når de rammer Royal Metal Fest til april!”

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    FACEBOOK EVENT
    Enter the theatrical metal experience like never before
    Show Trailer – Royal Metal Fest 2022

    Full Lineup

    Soilwork (SE) – Valkyrja (SE) – Ethereal Kingdoms (DK) – Hola Ghost (DK) – MØL (DK) – Sinister (HOL) – Persefone (AND) – Cult of Lilith (IS) – Sinnrs (DK) – IN MOURNING (SWE) – LAMENTARI (DK) – A Horrible Death To A Horrible Man (DK) – Arsenic Addict (DK) – Unseen Faith (DK) – Deception – NO (NO) – TROLD (DK) – Persecutor (DK) – Shamash (DK) – Temple of Scorn (DK) – CLIENTS (DK) – The Arcane Order (DK) – Damim (UK) – Wayward Dawn (DK) – Ivy Crown (DK) – Coexistence (IT) – Hexadar (DK) – DemonGrinder (DK) – Psycho Brahe (DK)

    The festival takes place on three stages:
    VoxHall – Radar – Turkis
    See the Metal Royale website for details on the running schedule or follow the official Facebook event.

    Can’t make it to the show?
    See our upcoming shows page for more tour dates for 2022

  • Metal Aid 2021

    Metal Aid 2021

    Two day seated metal festival at AMAGER BIO
    16.06.201 – 17.06.2021

    With SLÆGT – ARTILLERY – SVARTSOT – WITHERING SURFACE – HEIDRA – LOTAN – ETHEREAL KINGDOMS – DEMOLIZER

  • Den Tunge Time – Live Radio interview

    Den Tunge Time – Live Radio interview

    New guitarist and composer Mads Sørensen and vocalist and songwriter Sofia joined DEN TUNGE TIME via phone connection to talk with Tue Frank about new lineup, new songs and new directions for the project.
    We also discussed the METAL AID pt. 1 show at Amager bio

    Air date: 15th of June 2021

  • Lineup change – new beginnings in 2021

    Lineup change – new beginnings in 2021

    Christian Rasmussen, Jon Elmquist and Jakob Holm have parted from the Ethereal Kingdoms project. 

    Guitarist Mads Sørensen (Maelsteria, Exelerate) and bassist Jonas Klarstrup (Exelerate) will shape the future direction of Ethereal Kingdoms alongside Sofia Schmidt (vocals).

    For live performances, we are joined by Mads Mortensen on drums (Gespenst, Ex-Woebegone Obscured, Berlin Philharmonics and more)

    All shows will continue as scheduled.

    A statement from guitarist and co-founder, Christian Rasmussen:

    “I am leaving Ethereal Kingdoms

    It has in many ways been an amazing journey with some really beautiful experiences with a lot of lovely people. 

    Still, I’ve chosen to say goodbye to the project, since we’ve hade some disagreements on the creative and practical process, and I feel it’s best that Sofia continues the band. 

    We part as friends and will continue to be friends going forward. 

    I wish Sofia all the best with the project in the future and will eagerly be watching the development of Ethereal Kingdoms

    Best wishes

    Christian “

    /Danish:

    “Jeg forlader Ethereal Kingdoms.

    Det har på mange måder været en fantastisk rejse med nogle rigtig skønne oplevelser med en masse dejlige mennesker. 

    Jeg har alligevel valgt at sige farvel til projektet da vi har haft nogle uenigheder om den kreative samt den praktiske process, og jeg føler det er bedst at Sofia fortsætter bandet. Vi skilles som venner og kommer til at fortsætte med at være det fremadrettet. 

    Jeg ønsker Sofia alt det bedste med projektet i fremtiden og ser spændt med på den udvikling Ethereal Kingdoms tager.

    De bedste hilsner 

    Christian”

    Ethereal Kingdoms at Wacken Metal Battle 2018 – Adriana Zak for Devilution.dk

    2017-2020 – An incredible adventure.

    2021 and onward – new beginnings.

    New themes arise. 

    New stories takes form. 

    New album in the making. 

    2022 – via Mighty Music 

    Cinematography and scoring: Otherworld Productions 

    Set design and additional videography: Anna Holm

  • NÆSTVED METALFEST 2021

    NÆSTVED METALFEST 2021

    Ethereal Kingdoms joins ILLDISPOSED, HATESPHERE, RED WARSZAWA, CABAL, HEIDRA, LIFESICK, MANTICORA, ROT AWAY, ALTERACT, BLACK SWAMP WATER, CHRONICLE, CAUTERIZER, DEMOLIZER, PECTORA, PITCHBLACK, SHADOWSPAWN, WAYWARD DAWN at NÆSTVED METALFEST 2021

    SOLD OUT
    FACEBOOK EVENT

    Festival is SOLD OUT
    27th & 28th of August 2021

  • Ethereal Kingdoms with special guests Trold

    Ethereal Kingdoms with special guests Trold

    Ethereal Kingdoms live with special guests TROLD at SPILLESTEDET STENGADE
    June 5th 2021

    125,- DKKR – Limited seats available

    GET TICKETS
    FACEBOOK EVENT

    Vi slår dørene op for Danmarks store håb indefor symfoniske metal. Ethereal Kingdoms, leverer et unikt og moderne udtryk for teatralsk symfonisk metal. Samme aften går der troldefest i den når Trold stiller op med deres folk metal. OBS // Grundet covid-19 er koncerten planlagt for siddende publikum og derfor med meget begrænset kapacitet. Det kan selvfølgelig ændre sig før koncerten men skal man være sikker på at kom med anbefaler vi at man sikrer sig billet hurtigt // OBSEthereal Kingdoms:
    Uforudsigelig skønhed. Uventet brutalitet. I et teatralsk krydsfelt mellem show og koncert bringer Ethereal Kingdoms deres historier til live med brølende guitarer, flænsende skrig, ovenjordiske klange, blod, guld og adrenalin. Ethereal Kingdoms er noget så sjældent som et band bestående af lige dele symfonisk metal og lige dele totalteater. De sætter sig dermed også på deres retmæssige trone som Danmarks hidtil største symfoniske metalband. Udover at have spillet med i WOA Battles, optrådt på Royal Metal Fest med et særlig show, spillet Nordic Noise, har Ethereal Kingdoms spillet sammen med bands som Finntroll og Wintersun.


    TROLD spiller folkemetal med et skælmsk smil, der med garanti sparker gang i festen inde fra de store, mørke danske skove.
    Historiefortællingen og melodierne er i fokus når der leges med forskellige instrumenter og tunge guitarrytmer for at skabe den perfekte stemning.
    Historierne growles, væses og synges, imens lytterne tages med på et væld af eventyr.TROLD har rødderne godt plantet i den nordiske muld hvor inspirationen findes fra et væld af eventyr og mythologier.
    Jætter, Guder, skovens dyr og havets forunderlige verden er blot nogen af de steder TROLD tager lytterne med hen.Når troldene står på scenen, kan i være sikre på festen starter og det gode humør sparkes igang.TROLDS medlemmer er ikke uvandte på scenen og består af
    Vokal: Astór Palsson (Dawn of Demise)
    Guitar :Michael Lundquist (ex-Svartsot, Prevail)
    Guitar: Jesper Myrup (ex-Kurgan)
    Trommer: Danni Jelsgaard (Vansind, ex-Svartsot)
    Keyboard: Danni Svendsen (ex-Heidra, ex-Fjorsvartnir, ex-Illnath)
    Bass: Allan Madsen (Prevail)

    SPILLESTEDET STENGADE
    Stengade 30 – Copenhagen
    Doors: 19:00

  • CANCELLED – Cirkus Metal – There Will Be Blood

    CANCELLED – Cirkus Metal – There Will Be Blood

    ETHEREAL KINGDOMS + ANOXIA + ARCHANGEL

    March 13th 2021
    Fjordagerscenen
    Strandvejen 58
    5240 Odense

    Ticket price: 150 DKK – Limited tickets available due to COVID restrictions
    Ticket available now

    GET TICKETS
    Ethereal Kingdoms Heartchamber featured in best european metal bands compilation by European Metal Channel
    “

    GET READY WITH THIS SPOTIFY PLAYLIST FOR CIRKUS METAL

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0QOg8zRJz5SbbIF89XSr9I?si=nLpaSTdGSdSz9LjAcYZhfw
  • “What a voice!” – live at Byhaven, Pumpehuset

    “What a voice!” – live at Byhaven, Pumpehuset

    ★★★★★★★★☆☆ for our first live show since the lockdown from MODGIFT! We joined our MIGHTY MUSIC label mates WAYWARD DAWN and CHRONICLE for our very first open-air experience.
    A wonderful night with new faces, old friends and so much pent up energy to be released

    Ethereal Kingdoms live byhaven guest vocalist Darnell boddie and Sofia schmidt by nikolaj bransholm
    Special guest vocalist Darnell Boddie lifted our arrangements with his characteristic countertenor vocals. He’s been a part of The Kingdom Choir, our own vocal ensemble, since its formation in 2019.
    Portrait by Nikolaj Bransholm

    Mighty Music presents…

    Our record label Mighty Music presented this open air showcase night, that according to Modgift was a

    “Great great evening, that brings renewed hope for the ‘return’ of live music”

    The reviewer continues with the following remarks:

    Sofia Schmidt’s performance fronting Ethereal Kingdoms, really lifts the level of the band.

    When she enters the stage, she (…) is a vocalist of absolute format. What a voice she has.

    Not only Sofia’s voice and performance, but the songs of our 2019 debut album Hollow Mirror made an impression on this metal journalist:

    (…) they can write some very catchy music in this band.
    (…) their album from last year have really grown on me and after this night, the same goes for the live performance.

    https://www.facebook.com/modgiftanmeldelser/posts/1187282221628604?tn=K-R

    Thank you MODGIFT for this lovely account of a wonderful evening at BYHAVEN.

    We cannot wait to be back on stage with our next shows at NÆSTVED METALFEST and XAON/SUNLESS DAWN/ETHEREAL KINGDOMS/LAMENTARI

    Follow our next shows on our website or on our social media accounts.

  • Mighty Music presents: Ethereal Kingdoms, Wayward Dawn, Chronicle

    Mighty Music presents: Ethereal Kingdoms, Wayward Dawn, Chronicle

    MIGHTY MUSIC PRESENTS: ETHEREAL KINGDOMS + WAYWARD DAWN + CHRONICLE

    Venue: Byhaven, Pumpehuset

    Date:

    Price: FREE

    Due to COVID-19 guidelines from the Danish Governement, this will be a seated concert. 250 seats available.

    FACEBOOK EVENT
    Ethereal Kingdoms Setlist Pumpehusets Byhave, Copenhagen, Denmark 2020

    8 of 10 stars from MODGIFT reviews

    “What a voice!” – live at Byhaven, Pumpehuset
  • Our first Vlog! SLAY HOME SLAY SAFE behind the scenes

    Our first Vlog! SLAY HOME SLAY SAFE behind the scenes

    Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Ethereal Kingdoms?
    Peek behind the curtain in our very fist vlog. Sofia takes you backstage at the SLAY HOME SLAY SAFE festival in this 10 minute storytime vlog with exclusive footage and insights into the process before the show.


    Video is in danish, but subtitles are available in English as well.

    Subscribe to our youtube channel for more exclusive updates, behind the scenes and more in the future.

  • Podcast interview with Den Tunge Radio – SLAY HOME SLAY SAFE livestream festival special

    Podcast interview with Den Tunge Radio – SLAY HOME SLAY SAFE livestream festival special

    After the show at SLAY HOME SLAY SAFE, our vocalist SOFIA had a talk with DEN TUNGE RADIO. Live and raw from the backstage lounge at FORBRÆNDINGEN, we talk about the visual and theatrical elements of Ethereal Kingdoms, how to deal with being a band during a pandemic and what’s next for Ethereal Kingdoms.

    Listen to DEN TUNGE TIME podcast interview with SOFIA and KASPER BEHRENDT. Interview in Danish only.

    A complete universe

    How does it feel to play again, but without an audience?

    “Being back on stage is like an out of body experience!”

    – SOFIA SCHMIDT

    “A concert is a transformative space, a symbiosis between the audience and the performing artist. Suddenly, I can’t see and feel the audience. It feels like we play more internally with each other in the band like this.”

    -SOFIA SCHMIDT
    Ethereal Kingdoms live at slay home slay safe festival. Sofia Schmidt lead singer. Portrait by Nikolaj Bransholm
    The visual aspects of Ethereal Kingdoms serve to enhance the storytelling and create a believable universe.
    Portrait by NIKOLAJ BRANSHOLM for FORBRÆNDINGEN

    KASPER asked about the importance of the visual elements in Ethereal Kingdoms live performances:

    “It’s like a complete aesthetic. (…) We have a theatre theme, so we incorporate those elements. We use video backdrops, light design (…) We create a universe you can enter. The music can of course exist on its own. When I watch a concert, I want to see something larger than life. The visuals make the story clearer”

    -SOFIA

    “Music and art can be a place of escape in this time, where ____ (…) we try to create such a space, which people can enter.”

    – Sofia Schmidt

    Explore DEN TUNGE RADIO on Facebook, Instagram and Mixcloud

    In 2019, Sofia also visited the studio of DEN TUNGE RADIO for a Symphonic metal special show. Find it in the archives here:

  • Corona story: Sofia speaks with DEMON REPORTS

    Corona story: Sofia speaks with DEMON REPORTS

    How do you go from playing shows to being stuck indoors? How do you deal with your entire industry being on lockdown along with the rest of the world? What’s the next move for a band under these circumstances?
    Vocalist SOFIA SCHMIDT spoke with reporter VLADIMIR CINCOVIC from DEMON REPORTS about life and livemusic during the ongoing corona crisis.

    https://demon-reports.com/interviews/corona-story-demon-corner-sofia-ethereal-kingdoms/
    Ethereal Kingdoms Sofia Schmidt vocalist interview corona covid-19 lockdown
    Sofia works as a singer and vocal teacher and studies classical vocals when she’s not in Ethereal Kingdoms. Portrait by Mathilde Maria Rønshof.

    In this interview, Vladimir and Sofia talks about priorities and how to deal with missing the live feeling and your loved ones.

    ”Playing live and being close to those I love is equally rewarding in two distinct fields. (…) If I have to pick one, I would have to pick giving my loved ones the longest hug in the world!”

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at slay home slay safe festival. Sofia Schmidt lead singer. Portrait by Nikolaj Bransholm
    Portrait by Nikolaj Bransholm from our performance at livestream festival Slay Home – Slay Safe

    Sofia shares her survival tips on how she didn’t go crazy during the lockdown period.

    Try to stay sane by working on that painting you always meant to draw or learning to cook really well, work out or even play an instrument.

    -Sofia Schmidt, DEMON REPORTS interview

    The interview also touches upon the subject of livestream festivals and how live-streaming could affect the future of music:

    ”It’s a nice way to connect with your audience and to experience a live performance from your living room. I can definitely see this being a thing in the future too, combining live shows with streaming tickets for those who cannot attend for one reason or another just like the Olympic Games or eurovision or whatever. We have done one stream event and are already scheduled for the next and we can’t wait to perform again! some of our friends played at Nordic Noise Streaming For Vengeance, a streamed version of the Danish Nordic Noise festival. Of course, it was not like “the real thing” at a venue, but it was damn good!”

    -Sofia Schmidt, DEMON REPORTS interview

    Sofia also shares some playlist recommendations, that you can find here on her personal Spotify playlist:

    Read the interview in full on the DEMON REPORTS website.

  • Slay Home Slay Safe | Livestream festival

    Slay Home Slay Safe | Livestream festival

    Slay Home – Slay Safe
    2-day streaming festival

    June 19th and June 20th 2020

    With HateSphere, MØL, Artillery, Solbrud, Cabal, Lamentari, Orm
    Live from Forbrændingen, Albertslund

    Ethereal Kingdoms Setlist SlayHome SlaySafe 2020 2020

    SLAY HOME SLAY SAFE

    Join us for a free streaming event during the Copenhell weekend
    Arranged by the editors of Metalized and Heavymetal.dk, a hard-hitting lineup of danish only bands is brought straight to your living room.

    Tune in via Twitch TV:
    https://www.twitch.tv/slayhomeslaysafe

    Slay Home Slay Safe. 2 day live streaming festival with Artillery, HateSphere, Solbrud, Orm, Lamentari, Ethereal Kingdoms, MØL, Cabal

    Slay Home Slay Safe is not our first livestream event. We created a show with Gixter.dk straight from our rehearsal room on may 1st.
    We will also return to Forbrændingen with Xaon, Sunless Dawn and Lamentari in October 2020 for our postponed concert.

    Our last show before the lockdown was our concert at Udlejre Kirke. A sold-out special musical experience with organ, choir and flute soloists, created in collaboration with Lukas Rostgaard Hartvig of The Danish National School of Performing Arts.

    We won’t bring a church organ to this show (even though we would if we could!). Instead, our unbridled intensity and pent-up energy from the covid-19 lockdown will be unleashed straight into your living rooms with this festival!

    Slay home slay safe livestream ethereal kingdoms
    Portrait by Skoett Photography from our night with Wintersun

    “A Copenhell replacement”

    The culture pages of the mainstream print media has picked up on this news as well. POLITIKEN featured SHSS in their culture section iByen as a “Copenhell replacement” event.

    Slay home slay safe is featured in Politiken iByen as a Copenhell replacement
    POLITIKEN knows how to add metal to your weekend!


    Renowned GAFFA has also mentioned this arrangement, sharing the arrangers’ wish to give something back to the metal community in the wake of numerous cancellations due to Covid-19.

    Interview radio feature

    DEN TUNGE RADIO spoke with SOFIA right after the show at Forbrændingen in the backstage lounge.
    Journalist KASPER BEHRENDT talked with our lead vocal about how it feels to play a livestream show, the visual aspects of our performance and how to manage life as an artist in general during a pandemic.

    SOFIA spoke with KASPER BEHRENDT after our show at SLAY HOME SLAY SAFE.
  • GIXTER online festival | Livestream concert

    GIXTER online festival | Livestream concert

    Gixter Online Festival

    19.00-19.30
    Livestream from our rehearsal room

    Event

    You are invited to join us in our rehearsal room for our very first live streamed performance, brought to you by Gixter
    Enjoy a raw, personal and up-close experience of our theatrical metal universe, May 1st at 19:00 GMT+1

    A personal and different version of our symphonic metal universe.
    The show is free, and signed copies of our Hollow Mirror debut album on Vinyl and CD will be available, as well as a small raffle in the comments section.

    Tune in on our facebook livestream
    Friday May 1st 2020 at 19:00 GMT+1

    https://www.facebook.com/EtherealKingdoms/videos/279022203460342/
  • Beginnings live playthrough video

    Beginnings live playthrough video

    Join us in our rehearsal room for our very first full band live playthrough video.
    For this live session of Beginnings, we invited our good friend, outstanding violinist and singer Amalie Skriver.

    Beginnings – Full band live playthrough with Amalie Skriver.
    Watch now on the official Mighty Music youtube channel.

    The theatrical metal experience – behind the curtain

    We wanted to share the energy we experience in our rehearsal room and invite you to feel what happens behind the stage curtains of Ethereal Kingdoms.
    This video has a more low-key feeling compared to the character of our live shows, providing an intimate and personal experience of the dynamics in our little theatrical metal ensemble.

    Capturing the spontaneous fun while still creating a visually interesting outcome was easier than it sounded. With some lights, coffee, cookies and a bit of additional sound adjustments, we got right into the feeling as the camera started rolling.

    Ethereal Kingdoms live band playthrough

    With a little help from our friends

    Our good friend Christoffer Valentin Hildebrandt helped out with the mix and production of the audio tracks.
    He created the majestic soundscape of his band SUNLESS DAWN‘s critically acclaimed debut album “TIMEWEAVER”. If you’re into progressive metal, definitely check it out!


    Video was filmed by Alexander Petrovich Birk, who also documented our performance with WINTERSUN in 2019. An absolute joy to work with the guy again.

    Ethereal Kingdoms beginnings full band live playthrough behind the scenes. Camera operator Alexander Petrovich Birk captured the fun and spontaneous energy of this evening in our rehearsal room
    Camera operator Alexander Petrovich Birk captured the fun and spontaneous energy of this evening in our rehearsal room


    With some editing magic, Sofia brought it all together at her little workspace-corner in our rehearsal room.

    Ethereal kingdoms beginnings live version editing

    A special guest

    Amalie Skriver is not only featured in this live session. She is a strong presence on our 2019 debut album Hollow Mirror.

    She appears with her emotive solo violin and otherworldly backing vocals on most of the tracks. Amalie has also joined us at our special theatrical performances at NORDIC NOISE FESTIVAL, FINNTROLL SUPPORT, and latest at our WINTERSUN support show in 2019.

    Ethereal Kingdoms featuring violinist Amalie Skriver

    The story of Beginnings

    On Hollow Mirror, every song is a story of its own, with veins and ties reaching across the tracks and combining into a larger overlying narrative.
    Beginnings is the counterpart for our 2019 single Endings. Together, they tell the story of blind hope and bitter consequences. They are also related to the story of Heartchamber, which acts as a prequel for the events unfolding in the two songs.

    If you look closely at the background of our video, you will notice our stage backdrops having the imagery of the characters from the artwork for Beginnings and Endings, but in a ghostly, incorporeal form.

    Hear the story of Endings here, with this beautiful lyric video created by Scott Rudd, featuring Anna Holms enchanting artwork:

  • CANCELLED – Xaon | Sunless Dawn | Ethereal Kingdoms | Lamentari

    CANCELLED – Xaon | Sunless Dawn | Ethereal Kingdoms | Lamentari

    ETHEREAL KINGDOMS LIVE AT FORBRÆNDINGEN
    9th of October 2020

    By HEAVYMETAL.DK and FORBRÆNDINGEN
    Vognporten 11
    2620 Albertslund

    Lineup
    XAON (CH)
    SUNLESS DAWN (DK)
    ETHEREAL KINGDOMS (DK)
    LAMENTARI (DK)

    Doors: 18.00

    TICKETS
    FACEBOOK EVENT

    Swiss progressive death metal mastodons XAON return to Denmark for a night of wonder, magic and complexity at FORBRÆNDINGEN in Albertslund, Copenhagen.

    In the company of WACKEN METAL BATTLE DENMARK 2015 winners SUNLESS DAWN, we bring our finest songs to this show.
    We will also have a special collaboration between Sunless Dawn and Ethereal Kingdoms at this performance.

    New symphonic black metal band LAMENTARI joins this show, unleashing their critically acclaimed debut EP f live this night.

    Ethereal Kingdoms live
    Portrait by Mikkelsen-Photo for Metal A Day || Copenhagen Metal Fest 2019


    XAON’s 2019 album SOLIPSIS made it onto our “Sounds of the Kingdoms” Spotify playlist, a handpicked selection of songs that inspire, delight and fascinate us. Vocalist Sofia especially is a big fan of this band.

  • “Frighteningly powerful”

    “Frighteningly powerful”

    The very first Ethereal Kingdoms church concert took place Friday the 21st of February in Udlejre Kirke, Copenhagen.


    Journalist Nargiz Galib Andersen witnessed this sold-out special theatrical performance performance, where we incorporated choir, organ and flute soloist with the metal ensemble and the church’s unique architectural structure to create a total experience.

    Her report of this Ethereal Kingdoms church concert in Nordica LIVE Magazine reads as follows:

    “(…) You could feel the excitement amongst people as we were queuing to enter the church, where Ethereal Kingdoms played their concert”

    “The mixed audience could be characterized as “grey gold” and “black metal””

    “(…) We were seated around the drum set in the middle of the church-room (…) The quartet and the band entered the room to beautiful tones of a-capella and concert flute (…)

    The sound in the church was special and different. The sound of the drums seemed natural and real. Sofia‘s growl seemed frighteningly powerful in the contrast to the church’s beautiful architecture. (…) That woman can growl you into an nightmarish entrancement. and she can sing soprano-notes, that makes you fly in the summer rain. “

    “The entire room was used by the band and choir as a stage”

    Portraits by Tankepine /Doomed Images for Nordica LIVE Magazine

  • CANCELLED – Næstved Metalfest

    CANCELLED – Næstved Metalfest

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at NÆSTVED METALFEST
    September 4th & 5th

    Næstved Metalfest – KONGEBRYG
    Kasernevej 21, 4700 Næstved , Denmark

    With BAEST, WAYWARD DAWN, PECTORA, DAWN OF DEMISE, HATESPHERE, WITHERING SURFACE, BLACK SWAMP WATER, PITCHBLACK, LAMENTARI, ALTERFACT, CHRONICLE, ROT AWAY, MURDER AMONG KINGS

    Doors: 14:00
    Concert: 15:30

    Running order available now

    FACEBOOK EVENT
    TICKETS

    NOTE: THE SHOW HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO SEPTEMBER 4th/5TH!
    Næstved Metalfest 2020 full lineup
    Ethereal kingdoms næstved metalfest 2020 lineup kongebryg

    For our first show ever in NÆSTVED, we enter NÆSTVED METALFEST. Arranged by MIGHTY MUSIC, we are in the grand company of legendary BAEST, HATESPHERE, WITHERING SURFACE, DAWN OF DEMISE, WAYWARD DAWN and more!
    The venue KONGEBRYG will set a raw and intense frame around our stories, which we will unleash in an unbridled and furious format at an open air experience.

    Our vocalist SOFIA SCHMIDT spend her teenage years creating music and culture in the city of NÆSTVED, and have spent many after-school hours at co-sponsor NÆSTVED UNGDOMSSKOLE, so it will be an evening with a nostalgic return.
    She and drummer JON ELMQUIST played their first ever open-air festival show at the ROCK PÅ MUNKEN 2 event and SKULL SMASH FESTIVAL back in the early 2010’s with their now-defunct melodeath project BLAZE OF BARBAROID.

    NÆSTVED METALFEST

    Press statement in Danish 🇩🇰

    I 2019 slog Næstved Metalfest for første gang dørene op til den største og tungeste metalfestival syd for København. Allerede 14 dage før selve festivalen, kunne vi melde alt udsolgt!
    Til august gør vi det igen, bare endnu større!

    I stedet for én dag, tager vi to dage i brug og dermed lukker vi også op for dobbelt så mange gæster som sidste år. D. 28 & 29 august 2020 går det løs, denne gang med endnu flere bands.

    JIMMY NIELSEN medarrangør, udtaler:
    “Jeg kan simpelthen ikke vente med at præsentere den endelige plakat for Næstved Metalfest 2020. Jeg synes selv vi har samlet nogle enormt fede bands til denne festival som favner bredt, rent musikalsk og at vi allerede i år kigger ud over landegrænsen. Både Michael (H. Andersen) og jeg er helt på røven over den enorme opbakning og modtagelse der har været af vores lille hjertebarn. Den havde vi ikke helt set komme, men det viser bare at metaltrætheden har trænge kår, når det kommer til musikgenren og at dansk metalmusik er i voldsom vækst. Nu håber vi bare at det smitter af på scenen i Næstved, så næste generation af bangers kan steppe op og vise kronen & nøglerne”.

    Næstved Metalfest 2020 finder sted D. 28 & 29 august 2020 på Kongebryg. Der er lagt i ovnen til en stor oplevelse i det Sydsjællandske med de rustikke faciliteter hos det populære lokale bryggeri og spillested. Der vil således både være brygget specielt øl til lejligheden og være et stort udbud af boder med mad, drikke og merchandise.

    Der arrangeres bustur fra København til Næstved Metalfest i samarbejde med Club Dark. Den oplagte mulighed for få en på opleveren uden for Hovedstaden. Bustur t/r fra Zeppelin Rock Bar på Vesterbro Torv til et af Danmarks bedste bryggerier med metalkoncerter oveni hatten, alt sammen i de smukke omgivelserne omkring den gamle Gardehusar kaserne.

  • Hollow Mirror is a 2019 favourite

    Hollow Mirror is a 2019 favourite

    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.

  • Sold out headliner show at Udlejre Kirke

    Sold out headliner show at Udlejre Kirke

    Ethereal Kingdoms Udlejre Kirke – a musical total experience at Udlejre Church.

    Our special total music experience at Udlejre kirke church in Ølstykke is sold out, just 16 days after we published the event.

    180 people will enter the beautiful architecture of the unique church, where we incorporate the organ, The Kingdom Choir and flute soloist Lærke Krarup in bringing our stories from Hollow Mirror to life.

    Enter out theatrical metal experience at our next shows.
    Facebook event

    Ethereal Kingdoms udlejre kirke koncert vinterkoncert 21 februar 2020

    Ethereal Kingdoms creates a total musical experience at Udlejre Kirke

    Ethereal Kingdoms presents a musical total experience in Udlejre Church
    The critically acclaimed band experiments in the intersection between classical, metal and theatre concert in an intense, contrasting and emotional show, featuring the church’s beautiful organ.

    The stories are brought to live exclusively by The Kingdom Choir, the church’s organ and special guest soloists in concord and contrast with roaring drums, elegant guitar lines and Sofia Schmidt’s characteristic soprano notes and low growls

    The concert program consists of works from the critically acclaimed debut album Hollow Mirror (Mighty Music 2019) and two new pieces of music composed specifically for this concert experience.

    Surrender. Let yourself be surprised, overwhelmed and full of wonder when Ethereal Kingdoms opens the doors to their beautiful and strange universe.

  • ‘An excellent debut’ – Devilution review

    ‘An excellent debut’ – Devilution review

    ★★★★☆ 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?

  • SOLD OUT – Ethereal Kingdoms live at Udlejre Church

    SOLD OUT – Ethereal Kingdoms live at Udlejre Church

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at Udlejre church
    February 21st 2002

    Udlejre Kirke
    Ørnebjergvej 7, 3560 Ølstykke, Copenhagen

    Doors 19.00
    Concert: 20.00
    Reception with wine after the show

    Free admission
    Limited seats, please reserve your ticket here
    SOLD OUT

    Ethereal Kingdoms live concert
    Potrait by Johnny Fravn // Metaltone.dk

    Description

    Ethereal Kingdoms presents a musical total experience in Udlejre Church
    The critically acclaimed band experiments in the intersection between classical, metal and theatre concert in an intense, contrasting and emotional show, featuring the church’s beautiful organ.

    The stories are brought to live exclusively by The Kingdom Choir, the church’s organ and special guest soloists in concord and contrast with roaring drums, elegant guitar lines and Sofia Schmidt’s characteristic soprano notes and low growls

    The concert program consists of works from the critically acclaimed debut album Hollow Mirror (Mighty Music 2019) and two new pieces of music composed specifically for this concert experience.

    Surrender. Let yourself be surprised, overwhelmed and full of wonder when Ethereal Kingdoms opens the doors to their beautiful and strange universe.

    SETLIST

    ACT I

    01. Hollow light
    New composition for organ and vocal ensemble
    with organist Karsten Kristensen and The Kingdom Choir

    02. Distance

    ACT II

    03. Ashes within
    With flute soloist Lærke Krarup, Karsten Kristensen and The Kingdom Choir

    04. Silent dance
    with flute soloist Lærke Krarup and The Kingdom Choir

    ACT III

    05. My Kantele – Amorphis cover
    With flute soloist Lærke Krarup, Karsten Kristensen and The Kingdom Choir

    06. Lumisade
    New composition for bouzouki, frame drum, electric bass and vocals for this concert

    07. Heartchamber – semi-acoustic version
    with flute soloist Lærke Krarup, Christian Haystack Rasmussen on Bouzuki and Jon Elmquist on frame drum.

    08. Quando Corpus Morietur & Amen
    12th movement from G. B. Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater
    Soprano: Sofia Schmidt
    Contratenor: Darnell Boddie
    Organist: Karsten & Simone Kristensen
    as well as the Ethereal Kingdoms metal ensemble for the “Amen” passage

    09. Hollow light – reprise
    with organist Karsten Kristensen

    Links

    Facebook event
    Egedal lokalavis
    Egedal lokalavis 2
    Vores Egedal

  • Tornvang Open Air 2020

    Tornvang Open Air 2020

    Tornvang open air 2020

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at TORNVANG OPEN AIR
    August 21st/22nd 2020

    Tornvang Open Air festival
    Lunkærvej 1, 8500 Gjerrild, Århus, Denmark

    With Shadowspawn, Anoxia, Demolixer, Archangel, Herezy and more TBA

    Doors: TBA
    Concert: TBA

    TICKETS
    250,- DKKR|Billetten.dk

    https://www.facebook.com/events/421814431807659/

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun anniversary show support. Gimle 2019
    Portrait by Skoett Photography

    We unleash our universe at our very first open air performance.
    Tornvang festival writes:

    “The band creates grandiose and pompous metal with a taste for the melodic, but at the same time balancing a harder and more direct edge.
    The band released the album “HOLLOW MIRROR” via MIGHTY MUSIC. The album received good reviews and Ethereal Kingdoms will without a doubt give the audience or TORNVANG a taste of how the songs work live as well.

    If you add their highly original and almost theatrical stage performance, you can definitely expect a memorable experience at the festival, when the band enters the stage!”

    Explore our upcoming shows or read about others’ experience in our live review section.

  • Best European Metal Bands features Ethereal Kingdoms

    Best European Metal Bands features Ethereal Kingdoms

    Spanish-based European Metal Channel featured Ethereal Kingdoms very first single and music video “Heartchamber” in their 145th “Best European Metal Bands” compilation.

    Focusing on releases from October 2019, this song from Hollow Mirror made it onto their list. We are in good company with bands from all over the EU!

    European Metal Channel has a collection of “Best European Metal Bands” for you to explore on their YouTube as well as on their website.

    Watch or rediscover the story of Heartchamber – a beautiful bittersweet story of love and loss.



    The song features award winning singer-songwriter Amalie Skriver on harmony vocals. The torn lovers in the story is portrayed by our lovely flute soloist Lærke Krarup and our good friend actor and athlete Magni Hansen.

    We created the video with the joined forces of videographer Anders Mikkelsen (who also filmed this ‘Endings’ vocal playthrough video) and the brilliant editors at MindSpark Films:

    Did you know that Sofia and Christian wrote the song for their participation in the finals of Wacken Metal Battle Denmark back in 2018?
    The story is linked to the songs “Beginnings” and “Endings”, which you can find on ‘Hollow Mirror’
    Those three songs and the characters portrayed herein are therefore the core actors in the ghost stories on our debut album.

  • Udgårdsfest 2020 | CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19

    Udgårdsfest 2020 | CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19

    Udgårdsfest 2020 – Denmark’s finest viking/pagan metal festival
    21st/22nd of August 2020, Pumpehuset, Copenhagen
    Early bird tickets available now:
    https://bit.ly/2saPYnw

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun support show at Gimle. Sofia Schmidt performing My Kantele by Amorphis in front of crowd.
    Portrait by Skoett Photography


    In the grand company of Unleashed, Varang Nord, Heidra, Einherjer and more to be announced.
    Ethereal Kingdoms return to Pumpehuset in 2020
    A very special night for us, as this was the venue we played our very first show and the Wacken Metal Battle Denmark 2018 Finals.

    In celebration, we bring special surprises for this show!
    You will experience the songs from Hollow Mirror with a uniquely scandinavian and nordic twist as we celebrate our roots at Udgårdsfest 2020.

    Tickets are on sale now.

    Get in the pagan mood with our cover of Amorphis’ My Kantele:

    Ethereal Kingdoms – My Kantele – Amorphis cover
    Featuring Sigurbodi Gretarson on hurdy gurdy and the sound of Sofia Schmidt’s 10-string Kantele
    Udgårdsfest 2020 poster. Ethereal Kingdoms Unleashed Varang Nord Einherjer Heidra and more TBA.
    Poster by Anna Holm Sørensen
    https://www.facebook.com/udgaardsfest/
  • Endings – Full vocal playthrough video

    Endings – Full vocal playthrough video

    Earlier in November, we asked all of you which Ethereal Kingdoms song you would like to see a full vocal playthrough of.
    You chose ‘Endings’, 5th song on Hollow Mirror.

    Sofia and our video-genius friend Anders Groos Mikkelsen of Mikkelsen Photo, spent an evening creating this full vocal playthrough video:

    The video was created in our newly re-decorated rehearsal room, which we share with our good friends and label-mates Vanir.
    With three video lamps, two colored LED-bars, a dual-camera setup and some creative time in Final Cut Pro X, we created this clip for you.

    Ethereal Kingdoms vocal playthrough of Endings from Hollow Mirror. Behind the scenes. Sofia Schmidt leaning agains microphone stand in rehearsal room.
    Behind the scenes of Endings vocal playthrough video
    Portrait by Mikkelsen-Photo


    Sofia used the Shure SM7b vocal microphone for this recording, and all screams and growls for Hollow Mirror was actually recorded with this very setup.
    Her clean vocals for the album was recorded in Wolf Rider Sound Productions studio. For this playtrhough though, everything is made on the SM7b, one of her absolute favorite pieces of equipment.

    The studio version? It sounds like this, featuring The Kingdom Choir and an absolutely brilliant mix by Jakob Gundel of Gainfactory.
    Watch or re-watch the stunning lyric video with artwork by Anna Holm brought to life by legendary Scott Rudd Films:

    Which Ethereal Kingdoms vocal playthrough would you like to see next? Leave a comment or reach out to us on Facebook, Instagram or Youtube!

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

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

    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!

  • Ethereal Kingdoms live at Finntroll support

    Ethereal Kingdoms live with finntroll. Sofia Schmidt destroying a violin on stage.
    Portrait by Vildmark Studio

  • Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun support

    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

  • Ethereal Kingdoms live at Copenhagen Metal Fest 2019

    Ethereal Kingdoms live review by metaladay.dk. Sofia Schmidt singing on stage at copenhagen metal fest 2019
    Portrait by Mikkelsen-Photo for Metal A Day

  • Ashes within – Ethereal Kingdoms video live

    Ashes within – Ethereal Kingdoms video live

    Enter the theatrical metal experience.
    Ashes within, the opening song of this Ethereal Kingdoms live performance is now shared with the world.
    A raw, personal and intense recording from our performance with Wintersun, Seven Thorns and Faanefjell in Roskilde, Denmark, 30th of August.

    “I search for beauty. For within me there is none”
    Unpredictable beauty.
    Unexpected brutality.
    Enter the theatrical metal experience with this Ethereal Kingdoms live clip.

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun support. Ashes within full live clip.
    Levitation.
    Sofia Schmidt and Jakob Holm of Ethereal Kingdoms
    Portrait by Skoett Photography.


    See upcoming show dates at the Show-section of our website or follow us on facebook, instagram and youtube for latest news from Ethereal Kingdoms.

    Others who have entered the theatrical metal experience say the following:

    “I witnessed something unique”
    9 of 10 stars – Heavymetal.dk

    “A show of the grandiose kind” –
    4 of 5 stars – Metal A Day

    “New pages in the history of this genre” – Heavymetal.it

    “This band has a story to tell”
    8 of 10 – Powerofmetal.dk

    Explore our press archive

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

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

    "___ 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
    • Ethereal Kingdoms hollow mirror review aardschok magazine 2019 mighty music
    • Ethereal Kingdoms hollow mirror review aardschok magazine 2019 mighty music
    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

  • Hollow Mirror – 3 weeks on Spotify

    Hollow Mirror – 3 weeks on Spotify

    On October 11th we released our debut album Hollow Mirror
    Now, (30th of august), less than three weeks later, we have already reached almost 9000 streams on Spotify alone.
    Well past 2000 of you have entered the Hollow Mirror dreamscape on Spotify, and we are grateful for each and every stream.
    Our stories are heard. Our words reach your heart.

    Ethereal Kingdoms Hollow Mirror spotify monthly listeners
    Ethereal Kingdoms hollow mirror spotify all time streams


    Thank you so much everyone who listen and explore our stories!
    You make it possible for us to continue to create art and share our music.
    Follow us on spotify, tell a friend, add a song to a playlist of yours – YOU make the whole difference!

  • “Brings together the opposites” – Classic Rock Magazine review

    “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

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

    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
    Ethereal Kingdoms – Hollow Mirror (Mighty Music)

    “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

    “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
    “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

    “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.
    “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
    Ethereal Kingdoms – ‘Hollow Mirror’ (Mighty Music)

    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

  • Hollow Mirror out now

    Ethereal Kingdoms Hollow Mirror debut album cover.

    We are thrilled to unveil Hollow Mirror.
    A collection of 9 ghost stories rendered in a massive soundscape.


    Featuring numerous guest musicians, this debut album is the largest undertaking in our career so far.


    Our debut album is out now wordwide on vinyl, CD and digital via Mighty Music.

    Enter Hollow Mirror on your streaming service of choice:

    Journalists from around the world have already entered the theatrical metal experience.
    This is their testimonials:

    “You’re in for an experience” – 10 of 10 – Metalized
    “Like going on a journey” – 5 of 5 – Raven Rock Site
    “Almost near perfection” – 4 of 5 – Metal A Day
    “Beauty interrupted by brutality” – 6 of 6 – Calles Rock Corner
    “A perfect balance of brightness and darkness” – 8 of 10 – Metal Temple
    “Each composition is a kingdom of its own” – 15 of 15 – Fireworks
    “Dragged out of the comfort zone” – Legacy
    “A complete range of voices” – 82 of 100 – Musica.be

  • “A surprising record” – Review of Hollow Mirror

    “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

  • Hollow Mirror acoustic release event

    Hollow Mirror acoustic release event

    11th of October 2019, Zeppelin Rock Bar, Copenhagen

    A unique acoustic show featuring The Kingdom Choir, flute soloist Lærke Krarup and viola soloist Hansi Andersen in a special acoustic Hollow Mirror album release celebration event. 

    Metal A Day live report

    Setlist

    Silent dance
    My Kantele – Amorphis cover
    Embrace me
    Heartchamber

    Ethereal Kingdoms Hollow Mirror debut album cover.
  • “Not just another symphonic metal band”

    “Not just another symphonic metal band”

    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

  • Legacy magazine interview

    Legacy magazine interview

    Journalist Lukas Schärer of Legacy magazine reached out to us for an interview in their 122nd issue.
    We talk about Hollow Mirror, our view on our unique take on symphonic metal, our show preparations for our Wintersun support show, our inspirations as well as our hopes and plans for the future.

    Legacy magazine interview with Ethereal Kingdoms about Hollow Mirror debut album.
    Legacy magazine interview with Ethereal Kingdoms.
    This full-page feature is crowned by our band portrait by talented Mathilde Maria Rønshof

    Excerpts from the interview:

    “(creating Hollow Mirror, red.) was a very emotional and intense experience. We hope that this energy reaches the listener. We can not wait to share the album with the world.”


    “We focus on the contrast between beauty and brutality.
    If it’s only brutal, you get desensitized, it’s the twist that makes it interesting”

    Sofia Schmidt, interview with Legacy Magazine

    The theme of contrasts on Hollow Mirror is apparent, when we shift the topic towards our music video for Heartchamber:


    “The video shows a love couple being torn apart. Both are recurrent characters on the album. We use quite brutal images, such as when the heart is ripped from the chest. It underscores the balance between the beautiful music and the rather gloomy lyric theme of loss and pain in the soul.”

    Sofia Schmidt, interview with Legacy Magazine
    Musicvideo for Heartchamber
    Mighty Music 2019

    We elaborate on the connection to our single Endings.

    Read the entire feature of this Legacy Magazine interview in their issue no 122.
    Besides this interview, you can also find a 12 of 15 scored review of Hollow Mirror in the magazine’s review section.

    Explore other interviews and reviews in the archives here on our website.

    Hollow Mirror is out 11th of October 2019 via Mighty Music on Vinyl, CD and digital. Pre-add and pre-order links can be found in the shop section the official Ethereal Kingdoms website.

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

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

    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

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

    • Hollow Mirror review
    • Hollow Mirror review

    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.

  • ‘Hollow Mirror’ acoustic release concert

    ‘Hollow Mirror’ acoustic release concert

    In celebration of the release of our debut album Hollow Mirror
    We have created a special night full of strange wonder and beauty
    We play a one-of-a kind acoustic set with special guests
    Enjoy the band’s signature ‘Sovereign’ drink
    Contests, surprises and more! 
    You are invited

    Hollow Mirror release concert

    11th of October 2019 
    Doors: 19.30 
    Showtime: 20.15
    DJ’s, special surprises and more! 

    Venue:
    Zeppelin Rock Bar, Vesterbrogade 45, Copenhagen

    For this show, we will be joined by flute soloist Lærke Leth, viola soloist Hansi Andersen and The Kingdom Choir in a bit of a different configuration. This night, they will consist of Victoria Omberg, Oliver Svensson and Mads ‘Arpeggio’ Sørensen. All of these artists except Victoria took part in creating Hollow Mirror, so this will be a very special moment for us to unleash the strange beauty in an intimate acoustic setting.

    • Flute soloist Lærke Leth rehearsing with vocalist Sofia Schmidt for Ethereal Kingdoms Acoustic release concert.
      Flute soloist Lærke Leth rehearsing with Sofia Schmidt.
    • Hansi Andersen viola soloist practicing for Ethereal Kingdoms acoustic release at Zeppelin Rock Bar 11th of Ocotber
      Viola soloist Hansi Andersen rehearsing for our release concert.


    Hollow Mirror has already enchanted reviewers and metal journalists across the world:
    10 of 10 – “You’re in for an experience!” – Metalized
    6 of 6 – “Beauty interrupted by brutality” – Calle’s Rock Corner
    8 of 10 – “A perfect balance of brightness and darkness” – Metal Temple
    4 of 5 – “Almost near perfection” – Metal A Day
    82 of 100 – “A complete range of voices” – Musica.be
    12 of 15 – Legacy Magazine
    82 /100 – Fireworks Magazine

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

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

    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

    “Almost near perfection” – Review of Hollow Mirror

    ★★★★☆ 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. “

    Ethereal Kingdoms’ æteriske ærlighed

    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!

  • Metalized magazine interview

    Metalized magazine interview

    Ethereal Kingdoms Metalized oktober/november 2019. Front page conver of metallized magazine, hollow mirror album review 10 of 10 and interview feature article with Ethereal Kingdoms.
    Metalized – the oldest scandinavian printed metal magazine – reached out to us for an interview and an album review feature for the October/November issue!

    How do you create a symphonic metal album from scratch?
    What is life on the road like for Ethereal Kingdoms?
    And what is it like to sign with Mighty Music less than a year after your debut EP?
    We spoke to journalist Hell(e) in this Metalized magazine interview, the oldest metal and rock magazine in all of Scandinavia

    Excerpts from the interview:

    “We try to create the music we feel is missing out there. We draw our inspiration from a lot of different places, and always strive to create something extraordinary”


    “For me (Sofia, red.) the growl is the 6th gear of my voice, it’s for when what I want to say can’t be said with intense high notes. I need to scream and roar it out, it’s a raw masculine energy that I like to work with in my voice”

    “(Signing with Mighty Music, red.) has opened up a lot of opportunities to get our music out to those, who want to hear it”

    “Especially live, we sometimes take big chances and experiment in the intersection between show and concert”


    In this issue no 124, you will find a review of Hollow Mirror as well (10 of 10 stars, thank you so much!) as well as articles with Baest, Mayhem, Soren Andersen and many many more!

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun 15th anniversary special show with Amalie Skriver.
    Ethereal Kingdoms live with special guest Amalie Skriver at Wintersun 15th anniversary show.
    Photo by Mikkelsen-Photo for Metal a Day



    We have also spoken with Metallian, the largest French metal magazine in print (and even made it to the frontpage of their September/October issue! Thank you so much!

    Explore our universe at instagram, facebook, Spotify and youtube for more adventures in Ethereal Kingdoms.

  • “Beauty interrupted by brutality” – Review of Hollow Mirror

    “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

  • Metallian magazine interview

    Metallian magazine interview

    Metallian – the largest French language metal mag – have honored us with our very first foreign print magazine feature! And our name even made it to the front page!

    The editors reached out to us for an exciting interview about Hollow Mirror, our music and our creative process. Christian and Sofia goes into detail about the theatrical aspect of our music and the concept behind the stories on our very first album. We also talk about our inspirations and dreams.

    Read it in in this September/October issue.

    Ethereal Kingdoms Metallian interview sep/oc 2019. Full page magazine spread interview with symphonic metal band Ethereal Kingdoms. Mighty Music 2019.
    Metallian Magazine honored us with this full page magazine spread for this interview!

    We are featured alongside our heroes of Jinjer, Lacuna Coil, Killswitch Engage and our Mighty Music label mates Tygers of Pan Tang and Blood Red Throne.

    Thank you so much for this opportunity!

    Besides this interview, Metallian also awarded Hollow Mirror a grand 5/6 stars in their review of our debut album!

    Ethereal Kingdoms is featured on the front page of Metallian, the largest French language metal magazine. Interview about Hollow Mirror inside.

    Other magazines have shared their thoughts about our music as well:
    ‘A perfect balance of brightness and darkness’ – Metal Temple
    ‘A very deserving debut’ – Arrow Lords of Metal
    ‘A complete range of voices’ – musica.be

    Have you entered the theatrical metal experience yet?
    Have you dared to step into Hollow Mirror?
    Get a glimpse into our soundscape with our three first singles:
    Heartchamber – Endings – Distance
    Three stories of torn fates, bitter hopes, loss, love and unbreakable bonds.

    Follow us on Spotify and be among the first to hear our new album

  • ‘A very deserving debut’ – Review of Hollow Mirror

    ‘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 🇳🇱

    Ethereal Kingdoms – Hollow Mirror

    Thank you so much!

    Enter Hollow Mirror
    October 11th
    Vinyl – CD – Digital

    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

  • New single ‘Distance’

    New single ‘Distance’

    Cover created by the incredible illustrator Anna Holm

    Distance.
    A story of breaking the unbreakable.

    Listen now on your favourite streaming service and pre-add our ‘Hollow Mirror’ album for free.

    Distance – 3rd single from critically acclaimed debut album ‘Hollow Mirror’
    Mighty Music 2019

    Distance is the first track on our debut album ‘Hollow Mirror’
    Various media have shared their thoughts about this collection of stories:
    ‘A perfect balance of brightness and darkness’ – Metal Temple
    ‘A complete range of voices’ – Musica.be
    ‘A very deserving debut’ – Arrow Lords of Metal

  • ‘A show of the grandiose kind’ – Copenhagen Metal Fest live review

    ‘A show of the grandiose kind’ – Copenhagen Metal Fest live review

    Our intimate Copenhagen Metal Fest show gets ★★★★☆ from Metal-A-Day in this live review!

    We were invited for the very first installment of Copenhagen Metal Fest. A festival celebrating danish metal culture and Heavymetal.dk‘s 20th anniversary on three renowned stages: Amager Bio, Beta2300 and Teater ZeBu.

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at Copenhagen Metal Fest. Vocalist Sofia Schmidt with bloody special effect. By Mikkelsen Photo for Metal A Day.

    We’ve played both of the first stages at Nordic Noise and Dirty Days of Summer Festival, but we had yet to unleash our theatrical metal universe at at true, real theatre stage.
    We got this opportunity when we were offered a slot at 21st of September 2019 at Teater ZeBu stage.

    The reporter Anders Lundtang witnessed our performance, which included our new single ‘Distance‘:

    “(…) you feel like you’re witnessing a show of the grandiose kind!”
    “Not two of their shows are alike (…)”
    “(…) you cannot be anything but impressed (…)”

    -Anders Lundtang, Metal A Day

    THANK YOU SO MUCH!
    Explore other live reviews of Ethereal Kingdoms in our reviews section, where you can also find album reviews and more.

    Reportage: Copenhagen Metal Fest 2019 – Dag 2

    Outstanding portraits created by Anders Mikkelsen // Mikkelsen-Photo

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at Copenhagen Metal Fest. Vocalist Sofia Schmidt. By Mikkelsen Photo for Metal A Day.
    Ethereal Kingdoms live at Copenhagen Metal Fest. Vocalist Sofia Schmidt in stagelight. By Mikkelsen Photo for Metal A Day.

    Our next show will be a special acoustic performance with unique guests.
    🔸 11th of October – Ethereal Kingdoms “Hollow Mirror” Release Fest + Koncert – Acoustic special show  at Zeppelin Rock Bar 

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

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

    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 🇧🇪

    Ethereal Kingdoms: Hollow Mirror

    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

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

    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

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

    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

  • Copenhagen Metal Fest 2019

    Copenhagen Metal Fest 2019

    Saturday the 21st of September, 19.45, Teater ZeBu, Denmark

    ★★★★☆ – “A show of the grandiose kind” – Metal A Day
    “Impressive as always” – Devilution
    “Deep growls, beautiful singing and screams in the same song” – Metaltone

    Setlist

    Ashes within
    Distance
    Beginnings
    Breathe again
    My Kantele – Amorphis cover
    Heartchamber
    Apparition
    Endings

    Ethereal Kingdoms live review by metaladay.dk. Sofia Schmidt singing on stage at copenhagen metal fest 2019
    Portrait by Mikkelsen Photo // Metal A Day
    Portrait by Silverflame productions // Metalsirenerne
    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

  • Copenhagen Metal Fest interview

    Copenhagen Metal Fest interview

    September 20th and 21st 2019 something new happened in the Danish metal scene. We were among the lineup for the very first installment of Copenhagen Metal Fest – a new festival focusing only on Danish metal bands.

    Heavymetal.dk reached out to us for an interview before the show, where we talk about our inspirations, the state of the Danish music scene and how it feels to be part of starting up something entirely new.

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at Copenhagen Metal Fest 2019. Portrait by Claus Ljørring.
    Sofia Schmidt in a moment of bliss at Copenhagen Metal Fest 2019.
    Portrait by Claus Ljørring for Heavymetal.dk

    “We’re not afraid of taking chances and creating shows, that extend beyond just being a concert”

    “Expect something intimate, something intense – with surprises! (…)
    We’re playing on a theatre stage, (…) so there’s space for getting up close and personal when the intensity and emotions are peaking. “

    “Our format is flexible. Theatrical metal can be a lot of things. We’re gonna have a blast regardless”

    With Claus Ljørring for Heavymetal.dk

    Read the rest of the interview at Heavymetal.dk, who have also awarded our debut album Hollow Mirror an 8/10 score in their latest review.

    How did our intimate performance go at the dark theatre stage of ZeBu?
    Three metal journalists shared their experience here:

    “A show of the grandiose kind” – 4 of 5 stars – Metal A Day
    “The vocals are impressive as always!” – Devilution.dk
    “Impressive!” – Metaltone.dk

  • Seven Thorns support

    Seven Thorns support

    31st of August 2019, BETA2300, Copenhagen

    Supporting Mighty Music label mates Seven Thorns
    Special premiere of unreleased track ‘Breathe again’ and Hollow Mirror exclusive presale.

  • Wintersun 15th anniversary support

    Wintersun 15th anniversary support

    30th of August 2019, Gimle, Roskilde

    Wintersun live 15th Anniversary special show (first show ever in Denmark) with Seven Thorns and Faanefjell 

    Theatrical special show featuring The Kingdom Choir, Sigurbodi Gretarsson and Amalie Skriver, with special effects, lights and custom video backdrops.

    Live Setlist

    Act I

    Act II

    Act III

    • 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
    • Ethereal Kingdoms performing songs from Hollow Mirror live at Wintersun anniversary show at Gimle 2019.
      Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun’s 15th anniversary show Portrait by Skoett Photography
    • Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun Support Sofia Schmidt vocalist at Gimle
      “_” Sofia Schmidt and Christian Rasmussen at Ethereal Kingdoms special show supporting Wintersun 15th Anniversary performance in Denmark. Portrait by
    • Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun anniversary show support. Gimle 2019
    • Ethereal Kingdoms live at Wintersun support show at Gimle. Sofia Schmidt performing My Kantele by Amorphis in front of crowd
    • Ethereal Kingdoms live featuring The Kingdom Choir. Three choir singers of the Cathedral of Roskilde.
    • Ethereal Kingdoms live performance featuring Sigurbodi Gretarsson.
    • Ethereal Kingdoms live featuring Amalie Skriver at Wintersun 15 anniversary show at Gimle 2019
  • Aalborg Rock&Metal festival 2019

    Aalborg Rock&Metal festival 2019

    Ethereal Kingdoms live AR&M Festival 2019

    6th of June 2019, Studenterhuset, Aalborg
    With live sneak peeks of Hollow Mirror, video backdrops and special effects.

  • “This band has a story to tell” – Nordic Noise live review

    “This band has a story to tell” – Nordic Noise live review

    Our Nordic Noise 2019 special show gets ★★★★★★★★☆☆ from powerofmetal.dk!
    We had the honor of playing at the big stage of Amager Bio for the 2019 installment of Nordic Noise Festival. We were in the grand company of Candlemass, Tygers of Pan Tang and other great acts during the two lovely spring days in May.

    Nordic Noise 2019 poster with lineup for both days.
    Nordic Noise 2019 lineup poster.

    For this show, we celebrated the release of our first single Heartchamber.
    We wanted to make something magical, so we brought special guest violinist Amalie Skriver and The Kingdom Choir along to our show, as well as some special effects.

    Ethereal Kingdoms performance at Nordic Noise. Broken violin on stage.
    A shattered violin on the stage of Amager Bio
    Portrait by Mark Stoumann for Metal A Day


    Journalist Mia Hall of Danish webzine powerofmetal.dk witnessed this performance.
    These are excerpts of her thoughts:

    “The way this singer sings is rarely heard. Her opera voice, screams and growling shows some real technicality to her singing, and it is almost as if she has different masks she puts on. Very impressive!”

    “I can tell that this band has a story to tell, as the singer is very active on stage, both dancng around like a fairy and then jumping around, growling and breaking things on stage. The choir and fiddle also helps to get the atmosphere in that right kind of mood, as symphonic power metal can give. And the harmonies sound GREAT!”

    “No matter what they do, it can not be less intense than what they performed this evening.”

    Mia Hall, Powerofmetal.dk
    Ethereal Kingdoms live at Nordic Noise festival.
    Ethereal Kingdoms live at Nordic Noise 2019 with special show.
    Portrait by Stoumann of Metal A Day
    https://powerofmetal.dk/live-review/ethereal-kingdoms-nordic-noise-2019

    Thank you so much powerofmetal.dk!
    GAFFA and Metal A Day was also present at this performance.
    Want to hear more impressions of our shows?
    Check out the reviews section for album and live reviews!

  • “Ambitions are sky high” – Nordic Noise live review

    “Ambitions are sky high” – Nordic Noise live review

    GAFFA awarded ★★★★☆☆ stars for Ethereal Kingdoms special guest show at Nordic Noise Festival 2019 in Amager Bio.

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at Nordic Noise festival 2019 at Amager Bio.
    Sofia Schmidt in an intense moment at Nordic Noise festival 2019 in Amager Bio.
    Portrait by Stoumann for Metal A Day

    Nordic Noise Festival – the rock and metal herald of the Copenhagen spring since 2013. This year, for the first time in Amager Bio, Ethereal Kingdoms were invited to join this historic stage. We were in the grand company of legendary Candlemass, The Night Flight Orchestra and more on the 11th of May 2019.
    In celebration of our new single Heartchamber, we created a special event with guest violinist Amalie Skriver and The Kingdom Choir – three singers of Roskilde Cathedral.

    Amalie Skriver and Christian Rasmussen in a duet of strings.
    Portrait by Mark Stoumann for Metal A Day


    Journalist Keld Broksø of GAFFA was present at our performance and shared the following thoughts:

    “People (…) have heard something akin to this with Nightwish and Within Temptation and Ethereal Kingdoms is well on their way to their league” 

    “Ambitions are sky high with an efficient and talented metal band behind the vocalist” 

    “(…) I felt that something big is on its way with a new album this year.”

    Article in Danish 🇩🇰

    The Kingdom Choir – three otherworldly voices of Roskilde Cathedral.
    Left to right: Darnell Boddie (Coutnertenor), Christoffer Müller (Bass), Frederik Gade (Tenor)
    Portrait by Mark Stoumann for Metal A Day

    Thank you so much Gaffa!

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at Amager Bio Nordic Noise 2019. Full lineup from the crowd with special guests
    The full lineup of the night – with special guests Amalie Skriver (violin, vocals) and The Kingdom Choir – three otherworldly voices of Roskilde Cathedral.
    Portrait by Jakob Muxoll.

  • Nordic Noise Festival 2019

    Nordic Noise Festival 2019

    11th of May 2019, Amager Bio, Copenhagen
    Theatrical special show featuring Amalie Skriver and The Kingdom Choir

    ★★★★☆☆  – “Ambitions are sky high” – GAFFA

    ★★★★★★★★☆☆ – “This band has a story to tell” – Powerofmetal.dk

  • “Death, love and ghosts” – Royal Metal Fest live review

    “Death, love and ghosts” – Royal Metal Fest live review

    ★★★★☆ from Metaltone.dk for Ethereal Kingdoms’ special theatrical show at Royal Metal Fest 2019.
    Backed with a special production grant, we brough stories from Hollow Mirror to life for the first time. We created a theatrical show featuring The Kingdom Choir, dancers, special effects and special light show.

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at royal metal fest 2019. Sofia Schmidt
    Sofia Schmidt in the stage light setting created by Martin Rasmussen.
    Royal Metal Fest 2019
    Portrait by Johnny Fravn of Metaltone.dk


    “There were different highlights at Royal Metal fest this year. One of them definitely was Ethereal Kingdoms”
     
    “I could almost have wanted a bigger stage for this show”

    “The songs were executed beautifully with (…) Sofia fronting. (…) She’s educated in opera (…) but sometimes shifts to high pitch screams and even very masculine deep growls. (…). I was deeply impressed (…).”

    “(…) performing the songs in text, dancing and acting backed by skilled and competent musicians (…)”

    “An incredibly ambitious show” 

    “We experienced death, joy, sorrow, love and ghosts this night (…) one of the interesting performances this year”

    Johnny Fravn, Metaltone.dk
    Christian Rasmussen performing at Royal Metal Fest 2019 Ethereal Kingdoms.
    Guitarist and composer Christian Rasmussen.
    Royal Metal Fest 2019
    Portrait by Johnny Fravn for Metaltone.dk

    Thank you so much metaltone.dk!
    Before the show, we spoke with Royal Metal Fest about our thoughts and ambitions for this one of a kind performance in this interview.
    We were honored to be backed with financial grant from DMF, DAF and Metal Royale foundation.

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at royal metal fest 2019. violin breaking on stage.
    Sofia Schmidt shattering a violin on stage.
    Royal Metal Fest 2019.
    Portrait by Jakob Dinesen of devilution.dk

    Others who have witnessed this performance say the following:

    4,5 of 5 stars – “Refreshingly ambitious” – Revolution Music

    9 of 10 stars – “I witnessed something unique” – Heavymetal.dk

    Curious about our theatrical metal universe? Learn more in our about-section!

  • “I witnessed something unique” – Royal Metal Fest live review

    “I witnessed something unique” – Royal Metal Fest live review

    ★★★★★★★★★☆ from Heavymetal.dk for Ethereal Kingdom’s special theatrical show at Royal Metal Fest 2019.

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at royal metal fest 2019 with dancers presenting hollow mirror songs.
    Corporeal ghost stories of Hollow Mirror brought to life by two dancers
    Royal Metal Fest 2019
    Portrait by Johnny Fravn of Metaltone.dk

    April 6th 2019 at 17.00 at Radar in Århus marked a milestone for Ethereal Kingdoms.
    We unleashed our very first theatrical special performance at Royal Metal Fest .
    We received their grant for creating an extraordinary concert.
    We assembled The Kingdom Choir, premiered new songs from Hollow Mirror, unleashed corporeal ghosts, shattered violins, blood and a torrent of emotion from the intimate stage setting.

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at Royal Metal Fest 2019. Sofia Schmidt Jakob Holm Jon Elmquist performing at Radar stage.
    Sofia Schmidt, Jakob Holm and Jon Elmquist of Ethereal Kingdoms
    Royal Metal Fest 2019
    Portrait by Johnny Fravn of Metaltone.dk

    Journalist Jeanett Meibom shared her thoughts about our show:

    “I was absorbed by what was happening on stage (…) I left with an experience of having witnessed something unique.” 

    “Lead vocalist Sofia Schmidt’s voice is incomparable to anything else in the Danish metalscene” 

    “(….) entered Radar with a show in two acts: Act I and Act II. The first round featured just the band on stage but as the show moved along, more joined in: smoke-spitting ghosts and three young male choir singers (…)”

    “The theatrical aspect of Ethereal Kingdoms is something nobody else in Denmark can do”

    Jeanett Meibom, Heavymetal.dk

    Thank you so much Heavymetal.dk!

    The Kingdom Choir of Ethereal Kingdoms at royal metal fest 2019.
    The Kingdom Choir – Frozen screams and exalted voices.
    Royal Metal Fest 2019
    Portrait by Johnny Fravn of Metaltone.dk


    Other media outlets shared heavymetal.dk’s excitement about our special show performance:

    4,5 of 5 stars – “Refreshingly ambitious” – Revolution Music

    4 of 5 stars – “Death, love and ghosts” – Metaltone.dk

    Use the review section to explore other’s experiences of our music.

    Dare to enter the theatrical metal experience?

    Check our show-section and see if we’re playing at a venue near you!
    Follow us on facebook and instagram for more updates.

  • “Refreshingly ambitious” – Royal Metal Fest live review

    “Refreshingly ambitious” – Royal Metal Fest live review

    4,5 out of 5 stars for Ethereal Kingdoms special theatrical show at Royal Metal Fest 2019

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at Royal Metal Fest. Sofia Schmidt with bleeding heart special effect.
    Sofia Schmidt unleashing fury with a torn out heart at Royal Metal Fest 2019.
    Portrait by Jacob Dinesen of Devilution

    Royal Metal Fest 2019 was a very special show for Ethereal Kingdoms.
    Supported by a special grant from Metal Royale foundation, DMF and DAF, we created our very first installment of out theatrical special show format. Employing two dancers and premiering The Kingdom Choir, we told many of the stories of Hollow Mirror for the very first time at the Radar stage, 6th of April 2019. With the use of video backdrops, special light show by Martin Rasmussen (MØL, Hatesphere, Copenhell and more) and lots of special effects, we brought our stories and songs to life in a new format.

    Journalist Andreas Kielland was present and awarded us a grand 4,5 of 5 stars!

    “There’s more attention to detail than what is found within several bigger acts in symphonic metal.” 

    “The narrative is a chapter of its own. For the band’s theatrical, epic foundation does not only cover the form, but also the content”

    “They are a refreshingly ambitious project” 

    “I would watch them live again, not only because I feel truly entertained but uplifted, inspired and hopeful on behalf on the group”

    Andreas Kielland, revolution-inc.dk
    Ethereal Kingdoms live at Royal Metal Fest 2019. Special theatrical show with choir singers and ghostly dancers in the background.
    Ghosts came alive at Royal Metal Fest 2019 with our theatrical special show.
    Portrait by Jakob Dinesen of Devilution

    Thank you so very much Revolution Music!

    Royal Metal Fest also reached out to us for an interview. We spoke to them before the show when we were in the heat of planing the performance and rehearsing it to perfection. You can find this interview and more in the interviews section here on our website.

    Other metal media left this night with the following impressions:

    9 of 10 stars – “I witnessed something unique” – Heavymetal.dk

    4 of 5 stars – “Death, love and ghosts” – Metaltone.dk

  • Royal Metal Fest 2019 – Special show

    Royal Metal Fest 2019 – Special show

    April 6th 2019, Radar, Århus

    Special theatrical show featuring dancers, special effects, The Kingdom Choir and video projections. 
    Backed by DMF, DAF and Metal Royale special grant for creating an extraordinary show for the festival. 

    ★★★★★★★★★☆ – “I witnessed something unique” – Heavymetal.dk

    ★★★★☆ – “Death, love and ghosts” – Metaltone.dk

    ★★★★☆ – “Refreshingly ambitious” – Revolution-inc.dk

    Metal Royale Interview about show concept and performance before the show

    • Ethereal Kingdoms live Sofia Schmidt breaking violin live at Royal Metal Fest Jacob Dinesen Devilution
      Portrait by Jakob Dinesen // Devilution
    • Christian Rasmussen performing at Royal Metal Fest 2019 Ethereal Kingdoms.
      Potrait by Johnny Fravn // Metaltone.dk
    • The Kingdom Choir of Ethereal Kingdoms at royal metal fest 2019.
      The Kingdom Choir – Frozen screams and exalted voices. Royal Metal Fest 2019 Portrait by Johnny Fravn of Metaltone.dk
    • Ethereal Kingdoms live at royal metal fest 2019 with dancers presenting hollow mirror songs.
      Potrait by Johnny Fravn // Metaltone.dk
    • Potrait by Johnny Fravn // Metaltone.dk
    • Ethereal Kingdoms live at royal metal fest 2019. Sofia Schmidt
      Sofia Schmidt in the stage light setting created by Martin Rasmussen. Royal Metal Fest 2019
    • Potrait by Johnny Fravn // Metaltone.dk
    • Ethereal Kingdoms live at royal metal fest 2019 Special theatrical show
      Portraits by Johnny Fravn // Metaltone, Jakob Dinesen // Devilution
    • Portrait by Jakob Dinesen // Devilution
    • Ethereal Kingdoms live at Royal Metal Fest. Sofia Schmidt with bleeding heart special effect.
      Portrait by Jakob Dinesen // Devilution
  • Royal Metal Fest interview

    Royal Metal Fest interview

    Ethereal Kingdoms have been granted a very special time slot at Royal Metal Fest 2019. A unique opportunity to bring our theatrical metal visions to life. A space to experiment in the intersection between show and concert.

    Each year, the Metal Royale Foundation, Dansk Musikerforbund and Dansk Artistforbund offer a grant for a band, that wants to do something extraordinary with their performance.

    For 2019, we had the honor of being chosen – Showtime is 6th of April at 17.00 at the Radar venue at Royal Metal Fest.

    Journalist Pernille Randrup reached out us to learn more.
    We spoke about what’s happening behind the scenes, our ideas and concepts for the show and how to make ghosts come to live on stage.

    “It’s not a concert, it’s not a musical, it’s not theatre. It’s something different where we think stage-oriented. A show”

    “Ethereal Kingdoms is about experimenting in the intersection between show and concert. The balance between the grotesque and the beautiful. Contrasts, quick shifts, sudden flows.”

    “We bring dancers to coporealize ghosts and (…) bring a choir to be a living part of the stage, to make everything more vivid – and it’s just nicer with live voices!”

    “We’re experimenting with video backdrops and to assist in the lights we have Martin Lundholm, the light tech of MØL”

    Article in Danish 🇩🇰

    http://metalroyale.dk/interview-ethereal-kingdoms-en-forestilling-der-peger-ind-i-fremtiden/

    So how did the show play out?
    Various media outlets witnessed our performance and shared their experiences here:

    9 of 10 stars – “I witnessed something unique” – heavymetal.dk

    4,5 of 5 stars – “Refreshingly ambitious” – Revolution Music

    4 of 5 stars – “Death, love and ghosts” – metaltone.dk

    Explore other interviews and learn more about our theatrical metal universe

  • Heavymetal.it interview

    Heavymetal.it interview

    Finntroll. Sylvatica. Vanir.
    A sold out venue. Special guests.
    A broken violin.

    That was the ingredients of Ethereal Kingdoms’ night supporting Finntroll at Gimle 21st of September 2018.

    Fresh off stage with the adrenaline still rushing, Sofia spoke with journalist Davide Bonavida  of Heavymetal.it
    In this very first italian magazine feature, they talk about musical influences for Ethereal Kingdoms, the creative process and performance.

    Sofia Schmidt from Ethereal Kingdoms holding a broken violin at Finntroll support show at Gimle.
    Sofia Schmidt with a shattered violin
    Gimle at Finntroll support show 2018
    Portrait by Gaia Micatovich

    A few excerpts from the original interview in Italian 🇮🇹

    “We wanted to create something unique that differentiates us, not just copy other bands. We don’t just make music, we create stories”

    “I study as a classical singer (…) whereas Christian comes directly from death metal. The funny thing is that in our compositions it’s me who brings the chaotic part and the growling while he brings the nostalgic melodies.”

    “(…) those who spend time listening to us cannot get that time back. So I want to make sure they have a good experience.”

    “(…) you can’t wait for something to happen by itself, you have to do it yourself. We took initiative to organize this show. I contacted the club while Christian called the bands he already knew personally. (…) we needed a prominent name (…) so we contacted Finntroll, explaining our project and … they said yes. I could not believe it!”

    Sofia Schmidt with Davide Bonavida for Heavymetal.it
    Sofia Schmidt live with Ethereal Kingdoms supporting Finntroll 2018
    Sofia Schmidt on the stage of Gimle at Finntroll support show 2018

    Portrait by Gaia Micatovich

    Thank you so much for taking time to talk with us, Heavymetal.it!

    About the performance, the media said:

    “They can write new pages in the history of this genre” – Heavymetal.it
    “A sense for great melodies” – Blastbeast.dk

    4 of 5 stars – “Flying pieces of a violin” – Metal A Day


    Explore our performance of Endings from this night in this live video:

  • “New pages in the history of the genre” – Finntroll support live review

    “New pages in the history of the genre” – Finntroll support live review

    Review of Finntroll, Vanir, Sylvatica, Ethereal Kingdoms at Gimle, 21st of September 2018 .

    Finntroll Denmark 2018 Ethereal Kingdoms Vanir Sylvatica Gimle. Anna Holm Sørensen
    We could barely believe this show was happening until we saw the poster!
    An unforgettable night with Finntroll, Vanir and Sylvatica at Gimle.
    21st of September 2018
    Artwork by Anna Holm

    2018 was an intense first year for Ethereal Kingdoms:
    Two showcase concerts with Blastbeast, SPOT festival, Wacken Metal Battle Denmark finals and last but not least: supporting legendary folk metallers Finntroll at their show in Gimle, Denmark.

    For this show we brought special guests in the form of violinist and signer Amalie Skriver as well as some shattering special effects.

    Ethereal Kingdoms live with finntroll. Sofia Schmidt destroying a violin on stage.
    Sofia Schmidt shattering a violin on the stage floor of Gimle.
    Finntroll support, september 21st 2018
    Portrait by Vildmark Studio



    Italian webzine Heavymetal.it was present at this concert and shared their thoughts in this review:

    “Those who think that the symphonic metal has nothing more to say will soon have to change its mind. This band, young and well organized, has all the qualities to write new pages in the history of this genre” 

    “The charming singer Sofia Schmidt (…) has a truly phenomenal voice capable of alternating lyrical singer virtuosities, evolving unexpectedly into a true growling beast.” 

    Davide Bonavida , Heavymetal.it
    Sofia Schmidt live with Ethereal Kingdoms supporting Finntroll 2018
    Sofia Schmidt on the stage of Gimle at Finntroll support show 2018

    Portrait by Gaia Micatovich // Heavymetal.it

    Aside from this review, vocalist Sofia also spoke with Davide Bonavida of Heavymetal.it for an interview about Ethereal Kingdoms’ inspirations, ambitions and their unique stage presence.


    By: Davide Bonavida 
    Published: 18th of October 2018

  • DEN TUNGE TIME | Interview with Sofia about the danish symphony metal scene

    DEN TUNGE TIME | Interview with Sofia about the danish symphony metal scene

    Den Tunge Radio – Symphonic metal special & Ethereal Kingdoms

    Den Tunge Time – Ethereal Kingdoms og symfonisk metal tema – Podcast

    60 minute radio show with special symphonic metal theme and interview with Ethereal Kingdoms vocalist SOFIA SCHMIDT about the Danish symphonic metal scene, her view on composition in the genre, the band’s recent signing with MIGHTY MUSIC and her unique vocal technique. 

    Podcast in Danish only.


    With: JEANETT ANDERSEN and KASPER BEHRENDT
    Den Tunge Time via Den Tunge Radio
    Published: 9th of October 2018

    Play now
  • “Flying pieces of a broken violin” – Finntroll support review

    “Flying pieces of a broken violin” – Finntroll support review

    September 21st 2019 marked the night where we joined legendary Finntroll at the stage of Gimle, accompanied by Sylvatica and Vanir.

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at Gimle Finntroll support 2019
    “The beginning takes a thousand shapes”
    Ethereal Kingdoms with special guest Amalie Skriver live at Gimle
    Portrait by outstanding Mathilde Maria Photography


    A special night for us all, as we prepared a few surprises by bringing violinist and singer Amalie Skriver along as special guest as well as premiering striking animated video backdrops by illustrator Anna Hom Sørensen.

    Journalist Anders Lundtang of Metal A Day shared his impressions of our performance at the sold-out Roskilde venue:

    “During their show this nighty, you could risk getting hit by flying pieces of a broken violin, which was smashed on stage. This only serves to underline the richness of detail in this orchestra”

    “The vocal register of lead singer Sofia Schmidt is sure to impress. anyone who aspires to perform on stage”

    “The symbiosis between band and audience was striking (…)”

    Anders Lundtang, Metal A Day
    Ethereal Kingdoms live at Finntroll support Gimle 2019
    “Hope is an illusion we feed ourselves”
    Portrait by Mathilde Maria Rønshof

    Thank you so much Metal A Day!

    Folkefesten i Roskilde

  • Finntroll support

    Finntroll support

    September 21st 2018, Gimle, Roskilde
    Finntroll support show with special guest Amalie Skriver

    ★★★★☆ – “You could risk getting pieces of a violin, which was shattered on stage, in the face, which only underlines the attention to detail in this orchestra ” – Metal A Day

    “New pages in the history of the genre” – Heavymetal.it

    • Ethereal Kingdoms live with finntroll. Sofia Schmidt destroying a violin on stage.
      Portrait by Vildmark Studios
    • Portrait by Mathilde Maria Rønshof
    • Portrait by Mathilde Maria Rønshof
    • Ethereal Kingdoms live with Finntroll. Jon Elmquist drummer behind drumset.
      Portrait by Peter Hesselø
    • Portrait by Mathilde Maria Rønshof
    • Portrait by Gaia Micatovich
    • Ethereal Kingdoms live at Finntroll support Gimle 2019
      “Hope is an illusion we feed ourselves” Portrait by Mathilde Maria Rønshof
    • Sofia Schmidt live with Ethereal Kingdoms supporting Finntroll 2018
      Sofia Schmidt on the stage of Gimle at Finntroll support show 2018

      Portrait by Gaia Micatovich

    • Portrait by Mathilde Maria Rønshof
    • Portrait by Mathilde Maria Rønshof
    • “The beginning takes a thousand shapes” Ethereal Kingdoms with special guest Amalie Skriver live at Gimle Portrait by outstanding Mathilde Maria Photography
    • Portrait by Mathilde Maria Rønshof
    • Portrait by Mathilde Maria Rønshof
    • Portrait by Skoett Photography
    • Portrait by Mathilde Maria Rønshof
    • Ethereal Kingdoms live
      Portrait by Mathilde Maria Rønshof
  • Dirty Days of Summer festival 2018

    Dirty Days of Summer festival 2018

    11th of August 2019, Beta2300, Copenhagen
    With Forever Still and We Are The Catalyst

  • Wacken Metal Battle Denmark – Finals

    Wacken Metal Battle Denmark – Finals

    26th of May 2018, Pumpehuset, Copenhagen

    With Xenoblight, Genfaerd and Pudsige Herrer

    ★★★★☆ “ A theatrical kind of metal opera” – Metal A Day

    Wacken Metal Battle Denmark finals 2018 Ethereal Kingdoms
    Portrait by Adriana Zak
    Happy faces at Wacken Metal Battle Denmark 2018
    Ethereal Kingdoms live Wacken Metal Battle Denmark 2019
    Portrait by Adriana Zak

  • SPOT METAL//TRAIN

    SPOT METAL//TRAIN

    10th of May 2018, TRAIN, Aarhus

    SPOT Festival showcase in collaboration with MONO GOES METAL

    With MØL, Slægt, Children, Unseen Faith and Konvent

    Ethereal Kingdoms live at SPOT festival by Bransholm photography. Sofia Schmidt vocalist singer ethereal kingdoms
  • Wacken Metal Battle Denmark – Århus semifinals

    Wacken Metal Battle Denmark – Århus semifinals

    5th of May 2018, Atlas, Århus

    Introductory round winners. 

    With Benath the Silence, Xenoblight and Pudsige Herrer

  • Anubis Gate support

    Anubis Gate support

    28th of Maj 2018, Posten, Odense
    Supporting Anubis Gate with Dead Witch

  • Wacken Metal Battle Denmark – Slagelse

    Wacken Metal Battle Denmark – Slagelse

    26th of April 2018, Badeanstalten, Slagelse
    With Genfærd, Deadflesh and Hadron

  • Blastbeast’s The New Sh*t showcase pt V – Århus

    Blastbeast’s The New Sh*t showcase pt V – Århus

    20. Januar 2018, Atlas, Århus
    With HIRAKI, Morild, Wölfblood and Heathe.

  • Blastbeast’s The New Sh*t Showcase pt V. – Copenhagen

    Blastbeast’s The New Sh*t Showcase pt V. – Copenhagen

    6th of January 2019, Pumpehuset, Copenhagen
    ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ – “Ethereal Kingdoms play through their debut concert with a great attitude that never gets too dramatic for the setup to follow through” – Rockfreaks.net

    With HIRAKI, Daze of June, Wölfblood, Heathe and Morild.