The 6 Chapters of Daedric Shryne: Daedric Shryne and their Amazing Debut EP

Before diving into today’s review, I want to apologize for the late post. For now, I’ll be shifting to a once-a-week posting schedule. This will allow me to focus on quality over quantity while I get things sorted out in my personal life.

With that out of the way, today we’re staying in Germany—and more specifically, Hamburg—where we’ll explore the Epic Heavy Metal trio Daedric Shryne. For the geeks among us, the name is an obvious nod to the Daedric Shrines from Skyrim. Interestingly, this project marks a big genre detour for the three band members, who are mostly known for their work in black and death metal acts like Deathbearer, Emissary of Suffering, and Majak.

I have to admit, the album cover was what drew me in initially—I saw it and had to listen. It’s the kind of cover that screams Epic Metal and perfectly encapsulates the album’s sound and concept. Turns out, the stunning artwork was crafted by Philipp Kruse, who did an outstanding job. Even though Epic Heavy Metal isn’t their primary genre, Daedric Shryne has absolutely nailed it with this release, mixing in elements of hardcore and crossover for a dynamic I haven’t heard in a while.

THIS. IS. SONGWRITING. MASTERCLASS!!!

The band knows how to create and present their sound with precision. The EP starts off with a dungeon synth-inspired intro that immediately hooks you. It sets an atmospheric tone and works as the perfect build-up for what’s to come. The intro transitions seamlessly into “Birth,” an epic heavy metal track that opens with a narrator’s voice before launching into high-pitched vocals and commanding riffs. It’s purely instrumental after the intro vocals, carrying an epic and energetic vibe that pulls you in.

From there, “Birth” flows effortlessly into the speed metal-tinged “Awakening.” This trend of seamless transitions between tracks continues throughout the EP, showcasing the band’s mastery of storytelling. The vocals are aggressive and powerful when they need to be—they fit the atmosphere perfectly. Towards the end of the track, we get more narration, with the infectious chant:

“JUMP, DODGE, STRIAAAIIKE!”

It’s impossible not to shout along. The song slows down toward the end and transitions smoothly into “Dominion,” a track that gave me The Night Eternal vibes at first, especially in the vocal delivery. It’s an absolute banger with bone-crushing riffs and chants towards the end "LONG. LIVE. THE CHOSEN ONNEEE!" that carry into the next track, “Downfall.”

The EP closes with “Reflection,” a beautiful synth outro paired with an emotive guitar solo. It feels like a perfect fusion of dungeon synth and masterful heavy metal songwriting. It’s easily one of the best outros I’ve heard in ages, leaving a lasting impression.

Some have criticized the short runtime of the EP, but for me, that’s part of its brilliance. In just 12 minutes, Daedric Shryne manages to showcase their full potential while leaving you eager for more. The songs flow effortlessly into one another, maintaining a cohesive sound while offering moments of intensity, storytelling, and space to breathe. The EP is anything but bland—it evolves as it progresses, with dynamic riffs, bursts of aggression, and a nostalgic yet fresh sound.

The production is top-notch, with perfect mixing and mastering that highlights the band’s unique style. This EP not only establishes their brand as a band but also hints at their album-writing capabilities.

Currently, Daedric Shryne is signed to Cold Knife Records—a tiny label with just two bands: Emissary of Suffering (which we mentioned earlier!) and Daedric Shryne. Their debut EP is being released on several formats, including colored vinyl, tape, and even a wooden tape box set—which I need to get my hands on!

These guys have a bright future ahead of them, and I can’t wait to see what they do next (and hopefully catch them live sometime—they’re from Germany, after all!).

Daedric Shryne - "Daedric Shryne"