Visigoth’s fantasy battle and mythological themes seep through their epic power metal songs to bring their namesake nomadic tribe to life. You can imagine it being played as the battle music when the Visigoths invaded the Roman Empire. Fitting as it was the band’s first UK tour invasion, and they are going on to conquer Holland and Germany after, reclaiming their Germanic heritage.
Visigoth are an epic combination of heavy and power metal. With similarities to the likes of fellow American heavy metal bands Eternal Champion and Manilla Road. With the added twist of power metal elements coming through reminiscent of Omen, Twisted Tower Dire and Medieval Steel.
Their second full-length album, “Conqueror’s Oath”, bringing a faster pace and kick-ass attitude. This release sees them taking a different turn, with a larger focus on the wild, loud heavy metal influences rather than the slower, melodically power ballads. Jake Rogers’ piercing yet melodic vocals still ring out loud despite the electric fast guitar riffs and metallic battle drums. Leading the listener through the story of the Visigoths Invasion.
When I first got there the room was relatively quiet, filling out a bit more during the warm-up acts. In the break before Visigoth started, I went out for smoke to cool down. When I came back in the room was packed, with people and tentative excitement. I struggled to sneak through to be able to take photographs! As I moved through the crowd I spotted a lot of Visigoth t-shirts, showing despite it being their first UK tour, they already had many firm fans.
After the first few notes rang out, the crowd erupted. The crowd chants “Visigoth, Visigoth, Visigoth…” Jake responds “Thank you for joining us on our first show of our first UK tour”! Despite probably still suffering from jetlag, they performed with amazing skill and energy. They played a combination of old and new songs. The second song was one of their classics, and a favourite of mine, “Dungeon Master”. Jake’s strong voice nails the heavy chants of “he’s the dungeon master”. As skilfully as the light and beautiful bridge power ballad solo. Their music is tied together with a consistent beating rhythm; it gets your blood pumping, as if on the march to battle. The clean picking guitar riff sets “Salt City” off to an epic start, reminiscent of Van Halen’s David Lee Roth. It’s one of their more playful tracks, which definitely gets you dancing.
My personal favourite song from the new album is “Warrior Queen”, as it epitomises the glamour and glory of warrior queens like Boudicca and the Viking shield maidens. It also showcases their musical talent across the two ends of power metal, transitioning with ease from a raucous battle charge beginning to a mystical power metal ballad highlight. So, I was very happy that I got to witness it in all its glory live tonight.
As they left the stage, the whole crowd chanting for an encore, as they stepped back onto the stage they were met with raucous cheering. As they played their final song, the whole crowd sang along and danced. The electric energy never left the room, from start to end.
I was honoured to be at their first ever gig in the UK, the atmosphere in the room reflected their fans excitement at finally seeing them live for the first time. You could tell by the number of crowd surfers alone! Visigoth’s new album “Conqueror’s Oath” and this UK tour have rocketed them to becoming a pivotal band in the American heavy and power metal revival.