Saltatio Mortis - Sturmfels-Klänge (Epic Fantasy Ambience | Reading, D&D, DSA, RPG) (2025) Hi-Res

An intense live act with an elaborate stage show, medieval metal outfit Saltatio Mortis emerged in the early 2000s and led Germany's Middle Ages band -- or "Mittelalterband" -- movement by being one of the first groups to combine epic-scale rock songs with period instruments like lutes and bagpipes. Since debuting in 2001, the acclaimed group has landed three number one albums, including 2015's Zirkus Zeitgeist, which was certified gold.

Saltatio Mortis was formed in 2000 near the German city of Mannheim, where they would busk dressed in Middle Ages attire. They made their debut on record a year later with the self-released Tavernakel. In 2002 they joined the international metal label Napalm, which reissued their debut along with their new album, Das Zweite Gesicht.

Saltatio Mortis would go on to become one of the most prolific bands on the Mittelalterband scene, releasing six studio albums and three live sets between 2003 and 2012. In 2013 -- an especially successful year for the group -- they released the live recording Manufactum III in April, while in August the band issued a fresh studio effort, Das Schwarze Einmaleins, which became their first record to reach number one. 2015's Zirkus Zeitgeist fared even better, soaring to the top of the charts and achieving gold status -- Zirkus Zeitgeist: Ohne Strom und Stecker, an acoustic version of the record, was released later that year. In 2018 the group released Brot und Spiele, which became their third number one album, and in 2020 they issued Fur Immer Frei, their 16th full-length effort.