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Hiraes

Hiraes

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Hiraes: The New Force of Melodic Death Metal from Osnabrück

A Band with Impact, Melody, and a Clear Artistic Signature

Hiraes is one of the most exciting German bands in modern Melodic Death Metal. The group was formed in 2020 in Osnabrück by former members of Dawn of Disease and vocalist Britta Görtz, who was previously active in Critical Mess and Cripper. The name itself alludes to the Welsh word "hiraeth," invoking feelings of longing, nostalgia, and melancholy – exactly the atmosphere that shapes the band's sound. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiraes))

What sets Hiraes apart immediately from many of their genre peers is the combination of heaviness, atmosphere, and precise song architecture. The band relies on driving riffs, distinctive melodic lines, powerful drumming, and the variable vocal work of Britta Görtz, whose growls and screams give the material a unique dramatic depth. On this foundation, Hiraes has quickly established itself as a serious player in European Extreme Metal. ([hiraes.com](https://www.hiraes.com/))

Biography: The Origin in a New Beginning

The story of Hiraes begins with a transformation. After Dawn of Disease disbanded in 2020, the remaining musicians teamed up with Britta Görtz to redefine themselves, searching not only for a band name but for a clear artistic identity. The lineup featuring Lukas Kerk and Oliver Kirchner on guitars, Christian Wösten on bass, and Mathias Blässe on drums brought immediate experience and cohesion. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiraes))

This constellation is crucial for the sound of Hiraes. The band does not start as a blank slate but as a project with developed routine, years of stage experience, and a concrete idea of how modern Melodic Death Metal can sound. This is evident in both the production and the arrangements, which focus on tension, dynamics, and emotional intensity. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiraes))

Career: From Debut to Established Live Band

The first major milestone was the debut album Solitary, released on June 25, 2021, via Napalm Records. The release came during a challenging time, yet Hiraes used the album to assert themselves in the scene with a blend of melodic grandeur and aggressive directness. The band subsequently toured with groups like Crypta, Evil Invaders, Konvent, Left To Die, and Be’Lakor, sharpening their profile as an intense live band. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiraes))

In 2024, the second full-length album Dormant followed, released on January 24, 2024, also through Napalm Records. The album reached number 36 on the German album charts, confirming that Hiraes was not only musically evolving but also gaining visibility in the market. The label description emphasizes a significantly more mature songwriting and production effort that has further defined and expanded the band's sound. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiraes))

Musical Development: Between Melancholy, Pressure, and Precision

Hiraes views Melodic Death Metal not as a mere stylistic exercise but as an emotional landscape. The band's sound combines anthemic melodies with aggressive guitars, captivating hooks, and a melancholic undertone that gives the songs a particular urgency. Notable is the interplay of rapid outbursts and mid-tempo passages, making the tracks feel more structured and intense. ([hiraes.com](https://www.hiraes.com/))

With Dormant, the group has refined this language. According to the label, the band works with varying tonalities and sound elements that keep the album fresh without losing its uncompromising heaviness. Music reviews also highlight the skilled playing technique, the clever build-up of tension, and Britta Görtz's strong performance, which appears even more multifaceted on the second album than on the debut. ([label.napalmrecords.com](https://label.napalmrecords.com/hiraes))

Discography: Two Albums, Two Clear Statements

The discography of Hiraes is currently compact but clearly positioned in content. Solitary marked their entry in 2021 and was described by the press as a remarkable debut, while Dormant in 2024 marked the next development step and achieved a chart placement in Germany. For a young band in extreme metal, this is a noteworthy record, as it beautifully combines artistic ambition with measurable success. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiraes))

Particularly notable in genre comparison is that Hiraes does not rely on overloading but on concise compositions. The songs work with clear arcs of tension, catchy chorus ideas, and a production that combines heaviness and transparency. This makes the band appealing to listeners who appreciate both classic Scandinavian Melodic Death schools and modern Extreme Metal aesthetics. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiraes))

Critical Reception: Recognition from Music Press and Scene

The press responded early with attention to Hiraes. Rock Hard called Solitary a remarkable debut, Metal Hammer praised the energy of the album, and later voices like Legacy Magazine and Metal.de acknowledged Dormant as a strong Extreme Metal album of 2024. Such reactions indicate that Hiraes is not perceived merely as a side project, but as a band with its own ambition and clear artistic substance. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiraes))

Of particular interest is how unanimously the critics point to two factors: melodic quality and craftsmanship. Hiraes is described as precise, powerful, and atmospheric, and therein lies the strength of the group. The band delivers not interchangeable genre material, but a carefully constructed form of melodic death metal that meaningfully connects brutality and emotion. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiraes))

Current Projects and Releases

After the release of Dormant, Hiraes remained visibly active in 2025 and 2026. According to tour dates and reports, the band played in 2025 with Dark Tranquillity and Moonspell on a European tour and announced the "Nightflight Tour" with Nopreachers as support for 2026. Additionally, Spotify lists further upcoming concerts, underscoring the band’s strong live presence. ([metalglory.com](https://www.metalglory.com/news-hiraes-announces-the-nightflight-tour-2026-with-nopreachers-as-support/?utm_source=openai))

Additionally, Britta Görtz garnered attention outside of Hiraes in the summer of 2025 when she stepped in on stage with Heaven Shall Burn after Marcus Bischoff fell ill. This episode illustrates how firmly Görtz is now anchored in the European metal scene and how sought after her voice and stage presence have become. For Hiraes, this is also a testament to the fact that the band does not work in isolation but is part of a vibrant network within the scene. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiraes))

Fan Voices

On the official channels, a clear picture emerges: Hiraes reaches fans who seek melodic heaviness, emotional depth, and strong live energy. The resonance particularly revolves around Britta Görtz’s voice, the dense guitar walls, and the blend of aggression and catchiness that makes the sound instantly recognizable. This very connection has enabled the band to quickly build a loyal following in the scene. ([hiraes.com](https://www.hiraes.com/))

Conclusion: A Band with a Future and Own Style

Hiraes is exciting because here experience, compositional discipline, and emotional weight converge. In just a few years, the band has developed a clear identity, released two convincing albums, and simultaneously demonstrated their live power as a cohesive unit. Those seeking modern Melodic Death Metal with atmosphere, precision, and character will find one of the most interesting German voices in the genre with Hiraes. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiraes))

Especially on stage does the full strength of this band unfold: uncompromising energy, melodic grandeur, and a sound that resonates long after. Hiraes is a band to be experienced live, as the group translates its aesthetic tension most directly there. Anyone wanting to not only listen to Extreme Metal but to physically feel it should keep an eye on this band. ([hiraes.com](https://www.hiraes.com/))

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