HEAVEN SHALL BURN’s latest release, “Heimat” (2025), marks a significant chapter in the German metalcore giants’ discography. Staying true to their signature blend of melodic death metal and hardcore, the band delivers an album that is both fierce and emotionally impactful. This powerhouse of an album saw the light on June 27th, 2025, via Century Media Records/Sony Music.
From the opening riffs, the album showcases technical precision and a renewed sense of purpose. Thematically, the band explores the meaning of “home” (Heimat meaning home/homeland in German) in a world of upheaval, blending personal stories with broader sociopolitical commentary. In this regard, Maik Weichert (guitar) states: “The album is about a much wider sense of the term ‘Heimat’: the homelands for many different people and also about the spiritual home, something that shapes and influences our thoughts and actions.” This explanation accurately reflects the band’s lyrical focus on social resilience, oppression, and justice for all.
While longtime fans will recognize the band’s relentless energy and commitment to message-driven songwriting, “Heimat” also introduces more subtle dynamics, incorporating atmospheric interludes and unexpected melodic shifts that demonstrate HEAVEN SHALL BURN’s ongoing evolution. It is more atmospheric and slower-paced than their previous work, which could appeal to new audiences seeking more experimental sounds. Nonetheless, “Heimat” still embodies HEAVEN SHALL BURN‘s core intensity, so fans can expect plenty of mosh-pit ferocity.
“Heimat” opens softly with “Ad Arma,” a symphonic intro that builds anticipation for a furious metal journey. “War Is The Father of All” suddenly erupts with a choir blending with heavy riffs and deep growls. This track transports listeners to a relentless war setting with its sharp arrangements: guitar solos, Marcus Bischoff’s commanding vocals, and a choir lending an elegant touch. “War Is The Father of All” has it all.
After the first banger, “My Revocation Of Compliance” comes next as a classic metalcore explosion, filled with pounding drumbeats and relentless growls, forcing listeners to practice their best mosh pit moves. “Confounder,” the following song, is similar in intensity. It is packed with stamina and dense arrangements but also features a more melodic atmosphere with slower guitar riffs, giving a breather before the next brutal onslaught. “Empowerment” continues from the previous energetic mood, featuring a more intricate arrangement of tempos, beginning slowly with deep guitar riffs and building to powerful growls.
As “Heimat” progresses into its second half, the album deepens its exploration of powerful atmospheres and thematic resonance. Tracks like “A Whisper From Above” and “Those Left Behind” showcase HEAVEN SHALL BURN’s willingness to experiment with slower tempos and haunting melodies, providing a sense of reflection amid the relentless heaviness. The band skillfully balances raw aggression with moments of clarity, allowing the emotional weight of their message to shine through.
The second half also features tracks that push the stamina to its peak. “The Days In May” and “Numbered Days” are a perfect mix of fast guitar riffs and aggressive growls that make you headbang nonstop. “Numbered Days” might be an album highlight, as it includes Jesse Leach of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, adding smooth vocal cadence to an album dominated by Bischoff’s wild growls. “A Silent Guard” ends the tracklist with a fitting sense of urgency and poignancy, blending the band’s signature intensity with a more reflective tone. Complementing this symphonic feel is “Inter Arma,” an outro that takes us to a peaceful state of mind.
HEAVEN SHALL BURN continues to challenge the boundaries of metalcore, layering their soundscapes with subtle symphonic touches and dynamic shifts that bring both grandeur and intimacy. “Heimat” is a testament to the band’s evolution: it retains the thunderous spirit fans expect, while inviting listeners into more nuanced, atmospheric territories that linger long after the final note fades.
Written by Hector Sanchez
TRACKLIST
- Ad Arma
- War Is The Father Of All
- My Revocation Of Compliance
- Confounder
- Empowerment
- Whisper From Above
- Imminence
- Those Left Behind
- Ten Days In May
- Numbered Days
- Dora
- A Silent Guard
- Inter Arma
LINEUP
Marcus Bischoff | Vocals
Maik Weichert | Guitar
Alexander Dietz | Guitar
Eric Bischoff | Bass
Christian Bass | Drums
LABEL
Century Media Records / Sony Music
