Claim the Throne
Melodic death metal band with folk influence from Perth, Australia.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Claim the Throne is a melodic death metal band from Perth, Western Australia, with a strong folk metal influence. Their debut album, *Only the Brave Return*, was released in 2008 and came with a matching fantasy novel written by the band members. In 2009, they put out the EP *Ale Tales* through Prime Cuts Music, which included a DVD featuring a music video and behind-the-scenes footage from the album’s release party. This release marked a shift toward shorter, fast, upbeat songs. The track "Set Sail on Ale" became their first music video and was nominated for WAM Song of the Year in the Heavy category.
The band toured nationally in June 2010 as main support for Scottish pirate metal band Alestorm, and in March 2011 they supported Finnish folk metal band Finntroll. They also played local support slots for Arch Enemy and Suffocation. Their second full-length album, *Triumph and Beyond*, came out in December 2010, blending the styles of their first two releases with improved production. This led to extensive tours across Australia, New Zealand, and a UK tour with Alestorm in 2012.
In September 2013, they released *Forged In Flame*, a 14-track, 70-minute album that earned strong reviews worldwide. A music video for the song "Zephyrus" accompanied it, and the band continued heavy touring in Australia, including a run with fellow Australian melodic death band Be’lakor. They performed at festivals such as Hammersonic, Fanatik, and Hell On The Bay, and became the first Australian band to appear on the 70000 Tons of Metal Cruise. They toured South Korea and Japan with Catamenia, Dark Lunacy, and Mercenary, and in January 2015 they headlined a tour of the USA and Canada. Back in Australia, they supported Cradle Of Filth, Moonsorrow, Fleshgod Apocalypse, and Septic Flesh.
In 2013, the band launched their own podcast, focusing on DIY musician advice and interviews with industry figures, which has since produced over 50 episodes. Their fourth album, *On Desolate Plains*, was released in October 2017, followed by tours in Australia and Japan.
- field
- Melodic death metal / folk metal
- nationality
- Australian
- known_for
- First Australian band on 70000 Tons of Metal Cruise; debut album included a matching fantasy novel
- formed
- 2004
- origin
- Perth, Western Australia
Lore & Background
Claim the Throne formed in 2004 in Perth, Western Australia. Their debut album, Only the Brave Return, was released in 2008 and included a matching fantasy novel written by the band members. In 2009 they released the EP Ale Tales through Prime Cuts Music, which also featured a DVD with a music video and behind-the-scenes footage of the Only the Brave Return release party. The track 'Set Sail on Ale' was used for the band's first music video and was nominated for the WAM Song of the Year in the Heavy category.
In June 2010 they embarked on an Australian national tour as main support for Scottish pirate metal band Alestorm, and in March 2011 they were main support for Finnish folk metal band Finntroll. They also played local support slots with Arch Enemy and Suffocation. Their second full-length album, Triumph and Beyond, was released in December 2010, described as a combination of their first two releases with far better production. This led to extensive tours of Australia, New Zealand, and a UK tour with Alestorm in 2012.
In September 2013, Claim the Throne released Forged In Flame, a 14-track, 70-minute album that received rave reviews worldwide. They continued heavy touring in Australia, including a tour with fellow Australian melodic death band Belakor. They performed at festivals including Hammmersonic, Fanatik, Hell On The Bay, and became the first Australian band to appear on the 70000 Tons of Metal Cruise. They toured South Korea and Japan with Catamenia, Dark Lunacy, and Mercenary, and in January 2015 undertook a headlining tour of the USA and Canada. Back in Australia, they played local support slots for Cradle Of Filth, Moonsorrow, Fleshgod Apocalypse, and Septic Flesh. In 2013 the band started their own podcast on DIY musician help and interviewing industry figures, amassing over 50 episodes. Their fourth full-length album, On Desolate Plains, was released in October 2017, with tours through Australia and Japan.
Reader's Guide
Claim the Throne's significance lies in their fusion of melodic death metal with folk elements, and their pioneering role as the first Australian band to perform on the 70000 Tons of Metal Cruise. Their debut album's accompanying fantasy novel, written by the band members, marked an unusual cross-media approach within the metal scene. The band's extensive touring history—supporting major acts such as Alestorm, Finntroll, Arch Enemy, and Cradle Of Filth, as well as headlining tours in the USA, Canada, South Korea, and Japan—demonstrates their international reach. Their 2013 album Forged In Flame received widespread acclaim, and their self-produced podcast, started in 2013, contributed to the DIY musician community. The band's discography includes four full-length albums, an EP/DVD, and a double album re-release, reflecting a steady output from 2008 through 2017. Their music evolved from folk-influenced melodic death metal to incorporate faster, shorter songs on the Ale Tales EP, then blended styles on Triumph and Beyond with improved production. Claim the Throne remain a notable act in the Australian extreme metal landscape, particularly for their folk-metal crossover and persistent touring ethic.
Did You Know?
- Claim the Throne's debut album Only the Brave Return included a matching fantasy novel written by the band members.
- They were the first Australian band to appear on the 70000 Tons of Metal Cruise.
- The track 'Set Sail on Ale' was nominated for the WAM Song of the Year in the Heavy category.
- The band started their own podcast in 2013, with over 50 episodes on DIY musician help and industry interviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Claim the Throne?
Claim the Throne is a melodic death metal band formed in 2004 in Perth, Western Australia, known for weaving strong folk metal elements into their heavy sound. They are an Australian act that has become a recognizable name in the Viking metal scene.
What makes Claim the Throne's debut album unique?
Their 2008 debut, *Only the Brave Return*, shipped alongside a fantasy novel co-written by the band members themselves. This album-plus-novel package was a distinctive creative choice that set them apart from most metal releases of that era.
What is Claim the Throne's connection to the 70000 Tons of Metal Cruise?
They hold the distinction of being the first Australian band to perform aboard the 70000 Tons of Metal Cruise, a milestone that put the Perth-based group on the international metal map.
What is the Ale Tales EP and how did it differ from their debut?
Released in 2009 through Prime Cuts Music, *Ale Tales* represented a deliberate shift toward shorter, faster, and more upbeat songwriting compared to their earlier material. The package also included a DVD containing their first music video for 'Set Sail on Ale' and behind-the-scenes footage from the album's launch party.
What genre does Claim the Throne play?
They sit at the crossroads of melodic death metal and folk metal, layering traditional folk instrumentation and Viking-themed lyrical content over heavy, riff-driven guitar work.
More in Viking metal musical groups 1-22
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