The Asylum played host to a night of unapologetic power metal spectacle as Hammer King and Burning Witches brought their Witches and Kings European tour to Birmingham. While the crowd was modest in size, it was rich in enthusiasm — and by the end of the night, completely won over by two bands who delivered conviction, theatre, and pure heavy metal joy.
From the moment Doctor Malleum D, Major Domus of Hammer King’s Hofstaat, emerged wielding a hammer worthy of Mjölnir itself, it was clear this would be no ordinary support set. Hammer King (10) don’t just play epic metal, they inhabit it. Frontman Titan Fox V soon followed, and with the opening notes of Live For A Day, the room sprang into life. Despite the smaller crowd, Titan effortlessly pulled everyone into Hammer King’s world, encouraging audience participation and inviting Birmingham into his kingdom with genuine warmth and charisma.
The band: Gino Wilde and Sir Marex van Ferum on guitars, Günt von Schratenau on bass, and Count Ivo Shandor behind the kit, were tight, powerful, and joyously theatrical. The hammer returned centre-stage for Hammers & Kings, reinforcing the band’s mythic aesthetic, while Tia Wicked, Royal Maid of the Hofstaat, appeared throughout the set offering her king drinks, assisting with robe removal, and adding an extra layer of tongue-in-cheek pageantry. One of the standout moments came with Danger Zone, which transported the room straight back to the magic and nostalgia of the 80s. The smiles were everywhere as the crowd roared back the lyrics, creating a genuinely electric atmosphere.
The theatrics only escalated from there: a camera-on-a-stick appeared to capture the crowd mid-Hammer, while Doctor D and Tia Wicked returned bearing black flags emblazoned with the Hammer King logo for Life’s A Beach, waving them proudly at either side of the stage. Gold balloons were launched into the crowd, and for the final song, Return Of The Kingdom Of The Hammer King, Titan emerged with an even larger flag, rallying the room one last time as Tia presented a bowl of gold coins which he hurled gleefully into the audience.
It was ridiculous. It was glorious. And it worked completely. Hammer King delivered a blistering, joyous performance packed with humour, interaction, and genuine affection for the crowd. Absolute legends.
If Hammer King ruled through theatre and humour, Burning Witches (9) conquered through sheer force, precision, and presence. With Laura Guldemond commanding the stage on vocals, flanked by guitarists Romana Kalkuhl and Courtney Cox, Jeanine Grob on bass, and Lala Frischknecht on drums, Burning Witches demonstrated exactly why they are one of the most formidable bands in modern power metal.
The band: Gino Wilde and Sir Marex van Ferum on guitars, Günt von Schratenau on bass, and Count Ivo Shandor behind the kit, were tight, powerful, and joyously theatrical. The hammer returned centre-stage for Hammers & Kings, reinforcing the band’s mythic aesthetic, while Tia Wicked, Royal Maid of the Hofstaat, appeared throughout the set offering her king drinks, assisting with robe removal, and adding an extra layer of tongue-in-cheek pageantry. One of the standout moments came with Danger Zone, which transported the room straight back to the magic and nostalgia of the 80s. The smiles were everywhere as the crowd roared back the lyrics, creating a genuinely electric atmosphere.
The theatrics only escalated from there: a camera-on-a-stick appeared to capture the crowd mid-Hammer, while Doctor D and Tia Wicked returned bearing black flags emblazoned with the Hammer King logo for Life’s A Beach, waving them proudly at either side of the stage. Gold balloons were launched into the crowd, and for the final song, Return Of The Kingdom Of The Hammer King, Titan emerged with an even larger flag, rallying the room one last time as Tia presented a bowl of gold coins which he hurled gleefully into the audience.
It was ridiculous. It was glorious. And it worked completely. Hammer King delivered a blistering, joyous performance packed with humour, interaction, and genuine affection for the crowd. Absolute legends.
If Hammer King ruled through theatre and humour, Burning Witches (9) conquered through sheer force, precision, and presence. With Laura Guldemond commanding the stage on vocals, flanked by guitarists Romana Kalkuhl and Courtney Cox, Jeanine Grob on bass, and Lala Frischknecht on drums, Burning Witches demonstrated exactly why they are one of the most formidable bands in modern power metal.
While less outwardly interactive than Hammer King, the band more than made up for it with razor-sharp musicianship and relentless energy. Their melodic heavy/power metal sound was soaring yet vicious, polished but sharp enough to rip your face off. One of the biggest reactions of the night came during Dance With The Devil, as Laura returned to the stage wearing a horned mask, sending the crowd into raptures. The theatrical touch perfectly matched the song’s dark, driving energy and reinforced the band’s commanding stage presence.
Evil Witch was another clear highlight, greeted with roars from the crowd as the band tore through the track with absolute confidence and precision. Every note landed, every transition was seamless, and the connection between band and audience was undeniable. They closed with Burning Witches, a triumphant finale that left the room buzzing; fists in the air, voices raised, and the Asylum fully under their spell. It was a powerful reminder of why the band continues to command such loyalty from their fans.
This was a night that showcased power metal at its most vibrant and alive. Hammer King set the tone with spectacle, humour, and irresistible audience engagement, warming the room with gold, laughter, and theatrical excess. But it was Burning Witches who ultimately claimed the night, delivering a commanding headline performance defined by precision, power, and unrelenting momentum.
Evil Witch was another clear highlight, greeted with roars from the crowd as the band tore through the track with absolute confidence and precision. Every note landed, every transition was seamless, and the connection between band and audience was undeniable. They closed with Burning Witches, a triumphant finale that left the room buzzing; fists in the air, voices raised, and the Asylum fully under their spell. It was a powerful reminder of why the band continues to command such loyalty from their fans.
This was a night that showcased power metal at its most vibrant and alive. Hammer King set the tone with spectacle, humour, and irresistible audience engagement, warming the room with gold, laughter, and theatrical excess. But it was Burning Witches who ultimately claimed the night, delivering a commanding headline performance defined by precision, power, and unrelenting momentum.
With songs that hit hard, soar high, and ignite the crowd from first note to final chorus, they proved why they sit at the top of the Witches and Kings tour. A triumphant Birmingham show, and a clear statement of Burning Witches’ authority as one of modern power metal’s leading forces.
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