Tomb of Giants have spent more than a decade carving their own path through Germany’s heavy‑metal underground. Rooted in the twin‑guitar tradition of Maiden, Priest and Accept, yet sharpened with a modern edge, the band have grown from a one‑off local gig into a tight, battle‑tested unit with a clear identity. With new vocalist Kai “Roarside” at the helm and fresh material on the horizon, Tomb of Giants stand firmly in their own footprint—traditional at heart, confident in voice, and determined to keep the flame burning.

Interview

TheNwothm: For anyone discovering you for the first time, how would you introduce Tomb of Giants?

Olli: With Tomb of Giants you get the familiar sound of traditional heavy metal – twin guitars, big hooks – refined with a modern touch. We honor the legends, but we’re not reenacting the past. No covers, no cosplay. All original songs, chasing that classic feeling and keeping the flame alive – and if we can walk a few steps in the giants’ footprints and do our small part to keep metal alive, that’s the goal.

TheNwothm: When you first came together in 2013, what drew each of you into the project and what convinced you that this line‑up was the right chemistry?

Olli: It wasn’t some grand plan back in 2013. All started with a one-off cover gig at a local variety‑night. Mirco was only 13 at the time and had a tutor, who brought Mirco (on drums), Ian (on guitar) and me (also guitar) together. Ian then asked Daniel to join on Bass. On vocals we had Thomas “Chicken” Klaus, a local veteran from the AC/DC tribute Big Balls. Did mostly AC/DC with a few Accept titles. While rehearsing we already noticed the chemistry was right. After the show we said, “This feels right. Let’s continue and write our own stuff.” That eventually became Tomb of Giants. The lineup has shifted since, but the core (Daniel, Mirco, and me) stuck and that first vibe never left.

TheNwothm: When the band first formed, did you have a clear vision of what you wanted to sound like, or did it take time to settle into the direction you have now?

Olli: We had a pretty clear idea from day one. We grew up on Maiden, Priest, Accept. So there was no big discussion on the road we’d take: originals with heavy‑metal DNA. The upside: the vibe was in our blood and songwriting clicked fast. The downside: you get the “sounds like…” tags. Over time, writing more songs and gathering a lot of stage experience shaped us. Yannik joining in 2019 on second guitar and getting Kai “Roarside” on vocals in 2024 gave us a real boost. The chemistry’s right, we’ve learned a thing or two along the way, and the new voice is even more our own. Still traditional, but recognizably Tomb of Giants. We’re not reinventing steel, but forging our own blade.

TheNwothm: Does life in Lower Saxony influence your music in ways listeners might not immediately notice?

Olli: Not so much in the riffs, more in how we play live. Lower Saxony has a very active underground-scene so we’ve been lucky to share stages with local bands, pick up tips from bigger acts, and make a bunch of new friends. No frills: show up, play hard, help the next band. We’re proud to be part of it and grateful we’ve slowly earned a small name around here. You might not hear the influence straight away on the record, but you’ll feel it in the room.

TheNwothm: Germany has a long and varied heavy metal tradition. How has growing up within that culture shaped your approach to writing and performing?

Olli: I grew up breathing Germany’s metal tradition. Running Wild, Accept, and Blind Guardian, plus the classics like AC/DC, Maiden, Priest, made me pick up a guitar. That grit‑meets‑melody still guides me, and with Tomb of Giants I’m trying to carry a small piece of it forward.

TheNwothm: Let us talk about the music! Your debut full‑length “Tomb of Giants ‘came out in 2017. Looking back, what were you trying to capture on that first record?

Olli: For me, that first record was “learning in public”. We wanted to plant a flag: Tomb of Giants plays traditional heavy metal – familiar steel with a fresh bite. Looking back, a lot of those songs still hold up for me. “When Destiny Calls” is a set staple and always lands, same with “Midnight Devil,” and we’re even considering revisiting “Reign of Time” for a future release. Honestly, we didn’t quite nail the first production. We tracked, mixed, and mastered everything ourselves. In hindsight, we should’ve handed off the mix and master, like we do now. The sound doesn’t always give the songs the weight they deserve. But as a blueprint it did its job. Imperfect, full of potential, and the start of our path. I’m proud that’s where the journey began. Also, we learned a lot.

Funnily enough, some people actually want that record because of the extremely raw and imperfect sound.

TheNwothm: In 2023 you released the single “Soulstealer.” What sparked that track and what did it represent for you at the time?

Olli: “Soulstealer” was our lead single for Legacy of the Sword. By then Yannik joined on second guitar and our writing had tightened up. We wanted a bit more bite and weight. The song came out fast and punchy, with that nasty breakdown at the end, and live it hit hard straight away and turned into a crowd favorite. That’s why we picked it as a single. Not the worst call, as it turns out. It’s one of those tracks that’s fun to hear and even more fun to play.

TheNwothm: Later in 2023 came “Legacy of the Sword.” What were the central ideas or moods you wanted that album to explore?

Olli: For me, Legacy of the Sword was about taking the next step. Refined writing, a bit more bite, same melodic base. After the first album I had a batch of new songs, and we polished them out together. We also learned from the first release and leveled up the production – this time we let Jörg Uken at Soundlodge take care of mix and master, which gave the tracks the punch they needed. The whole thing feels more mature: tighter, heavier in spots, but still very us. Some folks called it the child of Judas Priest and Overkill – there are worse references, and I’ll take it with a smile while we keep carving our own path.

TheNwothm: Your 2025 single “The Flame” reached new listeners through compilation appearances. What does that song mean to you now that it has travelled further?

Olli: For me, The Flame marks a new chapter. After we parted ways with Sergio in 2024, we expected a long, rough search. But Yannik spotted Kai through an ad, we jammed, it immediately clicked, and suddenly we were complete again. We dove straight into recording the Holding the Flame EP. As the opener, The Flame is a homage to heavy metal and music in general as something that gives a hand when life goes sideways. It’s classic ’80s energy with a modern touch, on purpose. Seeing it travel further via compilations has been awesome. It feels like a small sign the message connects beyond our backyard. The line “When darkness rules, a flame will always burn. And you keep it alive” isn’t a slogan to me, it’s a promise: music holds you up, life stays worth living, and heavy metal looks out for its kin. Grateful people found it and carried it further.