After a decade with GLORYHAMMER, multi-instrumentalist Michael Barber has announced his departure from the band to make WIZARDTHRONE his full-time focus.
The move comes as WIZARDTHRONE unveil “Death Cycles,” their first new music since the release of Hypercube Necrodimensions in 2021. The band is also preparing to make its live debut with a headline show at The Underworld in London on November 21, followed by a UK and Ireland tour alongside ALESTORM and BATTLE BEAST in January 2027.
For this new chapter, Barber has taken over lead vocals in addition to guitar. The completed WIZARDTHRONE lineup features Matthew Bell of FORLORN CITADEL on guitar, Keiran Allen of AKERCOCKE on bass, Christopher Bowes of ALESTORM on keyboards, and Isak Olsson of TWILIGHT FORCE on drums.
Mixed by Dave Otero, whose credits include ARCHSPIRE and SHADOW OF INTENT, “Death Cycles” sees WIZARDTHRONE pushing their self-described “extreme wizard metal” into heavier territory. Melodic death, black, and power metal influences collide across winding riffs, relentless drumming, and sharp lead guitar work, with CHILDREN OF BODOM, DISSECTION, and WINTERSUN among the musical reference points.
The single’s artwork was created by Dan Goldsworthy, who also handled the artwork for the band’s debut album.
Lyrically, “Death Cycles” imagines the collapse of multiple timelines as an alien entity compresses every possible version of existence into a single point. Behind its cosmic horror concept lies a more personal foundation, with Barber drawing from experiences of burnout, grief, and the relentless passage of time.
“Ever since Hypercube Necrodimensions came out in 2021, I couldn’t stop thinking about writing more music and getting WIZARDTHRONE on stage,” Barber explains. “The ideas stacked up between other tours until it was obvious: This had to be my number one focus.”
He continues, “‘Death Cycles’ is everything I am as a musician right now, and I can’t wait to share it — we locked in Dave at Flatline Audio for the mix and he really unleashed the energy from the recordings.”
The track also marks the first recorded performance from the new lineup.
“Most importantly, this single captures the first performance of the new lineup: Isak and Keiran, two of the best musicians I know, alongside my long-standing songwriting partners Chris and Matt,” Barber adds. “More new music is in the works right now, and we’re finally ready to play live, starting in my hometown of London this November, at the very venue where it all began for me.”
Following their November 21 debut at The Underworld, WIZARDTHRONE will join ALESTORM and BATTLE BEAST for an extensive run across the UK and Ireland beginning January 14 in Cardiff and concluding January 30 at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town.
The band is also scheduled to appear at Masters of Rock in Vizovice, Czech Republic, on July 8, 2027.
WIZARDTHRONE lineup
Michael Barber – Vocals, Guitar
Matthew Bell – Guitar
Keiran Allen – Bass
Christopher Bowes – Keyboards
Isak Olsson – Drums