Combining the emotional and atmospheric elements of Black Metal with progressive rhythm-laden modern Metal structures and the beauty of Post Rock, HERETOIR creates a nostalgic, melancholic and soothing soundtrack for our mad world.

Founded (in Augsburg/Germany) by David Conrad in 2006, Heretoir conceptually and lyrically deals with existence, self-reflection, fears and dreams – life in all its facets. It is a musical universe set for the discovery of one’s deepest thoughts and the soul that rests in each of us.

After a first demo and EP (“Existenz” (2008) & “.Existenz.” (2009)), multiple compilation contributions and a split release with “Thränenkind” (“Wiedersehen – unsere Hoffnung”, 2010) the band released their eponymous debut album “Heretoir” on February 25th, 2011. Melodizing the topic of loss, “Heretoir” was very well received by fans and press around the world, not least because of the powerful and atmospheric cover artwork of exceptional French artists Fursy Teyssier (Les Discrets) and Metastazis (artworks for Alcest, Anathema, Enthroned, As I lay dying, Gorgoroth and many more).

With the release of the debut album Matthias Settele (bass), Max Forst (guitar) and Emanuel Durner (drums) joined the line-up and Heretoir evolved into a full band. It didn’t take long for the band to share stages with acts like Agalloch, Alcest, Eluveitie, Graveworm, Sólstafir or Secrets of the Moon. In parallel with the progression of the live shows, the EP re-recording/compilation “Substanz” was released on August 24th, 2012. After several European tours with Agrypnie, Der Weg einer Freiheit and Dornenreich and one tour through England with Dawn Ray'd, as well as performances at the Summerbreeze Open Air, the Ragnarök Festival, and support shows for renowned post-rockers God is an Astronaut and melancholic masters Katatonia, Heretoir was able to build up a reputation in the atmospheric metal scene. In 2016 Emanuel left the band and Nils Groth became the new drummer. Kevin Storm joined the band in 2020 as a session-guitarist.

Following more than five years of intense touring, the much-anticipated second album “The Circle” was released in March 2017. “The Circle'' deals with the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Weaving crushing heaviness and atmospheric melodies, the album portrays an emotional journey – a life dedicated to self reflection and freedom. Besides another very special cover art by Fursy Teyssier the album furthermore features guest vocals by Alcest mastermind Stéphane “Neige” Paut and mastering by the renowned sound engineer Lasse Lammert. “The Circle” received incredible worldwide feedback by press and fans alike. Heretoir embarked on an extensive European tour in Spring 2017 together with the US Black Metal band Ghost Bath, visiting more than 15 countries in 5 weeks. More festival appearances and a tour with Finnish Melodic Death Metal masters Kalmah followed and in 2018 the band toured China for two weeks.

During the pandemic the band worked hard and focussed on writing new material. 2023 marked an important year for Heretoir: On February 10th the remastered version of the debut album “Heretoir“ with bonus tracks was released by AOP Records. Only three months later the band released their new mini-album “Wastelands'' on May 19th 2023 with great worldwide reception. But that was not all for 2023: Only five months after their mini-album "Wastelands", Heretoir released their third full-length called "Nightsphere"! The record is a concept album dealing with the struggle between the forces of nature and our world of machines. Humanity is in the midst of this confrontation, and the dichotomy between living as an animal among animals and existing as a cog in the wheel of progress determines the course of the story the five songs tell. "Nightsphere" is a dark album that weaves atmospheric black metal parts with melodic clean passages, swirling blast beats with calm post rock and ambient sounds, and the intensity of desperate screams with the poignant emotionality of melancholic clean vocals into a musical journey through an archaic world. The album features ambient sounds of the long-time befriended project "Hidehidehide" as well as guest-appearances of two giants of the (Post) Black Metal genre - Tim Yatras of "Austere" who fuels the song "Twilight of the Machines" with his anguish and Nikita Kamprad of "Der Weg einer Freiheit" who delivers intense and powerful vocals on "Glacierheart - Nightsphere Part II". "Nightsphere"‘s natural and organic but powerful sound was crafted by David Deutsch and Justin Felder at 1408 Productions in Hannover, who were responsible for the mix of the record. Furthermore Nikita Kamprad took care of the mastering of the album.

In 2023 the band promoted their new record on a tour through Europe and in 2024 Heretoir toured Latin America – to realize this tour the band travelled more than 33.000 kilometers to play 11 shows in five countries.

The next record is scheduled for 2025 and Heretoir are more determined than ever to enter the stages of the world with full force!