Mace ’n’ Chain – Crowned in Grey Skies | Metal Territory

Country: Sweden

Genre: Heavy Metal / Epic Heavy Metal

Release: 26 June 2026

For fans of: Manilla Road, Manowar, Eternal Champion, Visigoth

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REVIEW | Metal Territory

Mace ’n’ Chain are among those bands you listen to for two minutes and immediately understand where they come from. David Nilsson (Feral) decided to step away from death metal for a while and build a project that honors the heavy metal that raised him — and Crowned in Grey Skies is exactly that: old school heavy metal with an epic feel, mysticism and a very personal character.

“On the Howling Gale” opens the album with a darker, almost gothic‑rock tone in the vocals. The down-tuned guitars slowly come in and the track builds the atmosphere that will follow across the whole album.

“Through Blood Red Veils” continues in a more classic heavy metal style, with riffs that recall the ’80s and a more epic mood.

“In Open Defiance” has a more mid‑tempo pace, with nice build-up and vocals that give the track weight.

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“Triumphant Return” is the point where you clearly hear Nilsson’s influence from his death metal past. Harder, more aggressive, but always within the heavy metal framework.

“The Spine of Night” is more atmospheric, with nice guitars and a darker aura.

“Writhe, Oh Wyrm” is one of the strongest tracks on the album, with great riffing and an epic feel.

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“The Portal of Power” is pure power/heavy metal. The intro is impressive and then a fast, Manowar‑style riff comes in that grabs you immediately.

“Risen Above the Light” is the most Manilla Road moment on the album. The melody, the riffing, the atmosphere — everything recalls that school.

Crowned in Grey Skies is an album that honors old heavy metal without trying to copy it. It has character, it has passion and it clearly shows that Nilsson did it out of love for the genre.