Band of the Week KW 30/2026
Origin: York, England (UK)
Genre: Epic Heavy/Power Metal („Mercenary Metal“)
The band about itself:
Formed in 2013, Sellsword have shared the stage with bands such as Unleash the Archers, Blaze Bayley, Moonsorrow, and Nanowar of Steel and have undertaken UK tours with Dakesis, Heidevolk, Battle Born and Fellowship. They have played major festivals such as Power Metal Quest Fest, HRH Vikings, Breaking Bands and Bloodstock Open Air in 2018. Sellsword’s live shows boast an eye-catching set complete with banners and shields, a microphone stand made from a real sword, which cleverly matches the band’s distinctive logo, and even on some occasions, a working trebuchet! Each live performance, or Siege, is energetic, full of audience participation and above all, a fun experience for band and audience alike!
Editorial comment:
The name says it all. In fantasy jargon, a „sellsword“ is a blade for hire, a mercenary loyal only to whoever’s paying. The band from York calls their style Mercenary Metal, a mix of power and traditional heavy metal with a clear fantasy focus: Vikings, sieges, King Arthur, medieval battles.
Formed in 2013, Sellsword have reinvented themselves once. Singer Stuart Perry, who fronted the first two albums, stepped down in 2020. After a long search, Nathan Harrison took over the mic in 2022, joined by guitarists James Stephenson and Henry Mahy and the rhythm section of Tom Keeley (bass) and Tom Warner (drums).
Live, the band is known for everything except understatement: banners, shields, a mic stand made from a real sword and, when the stage allows it, a working trebuchet. Every show is officially called a „Siege“ by Sellsword. Seriously unserious, as they describe themselves, „Seriously Unserious Power/Heavy Metal from Yorkshire“.
After the two albums …And Now We Ride (2016) and …Unto the Breach (2019), the new line up went through a long run of singles first: Saxon Steel (2024) as Nathan Harrison’s debut, live tracks and New Gods in between, then Mighty Mercenaries with its music video in May 2026. On July 10th, the day after this piece went to print, the next advance single Warwolf drops. On July 31st, the third studio album …With Might and Vengeance is out in full, mastered by guitarist James Stephenson himself.
If you want to catch them live: the release party takes place right on release day at the Fulford Arms in York, with Fortune Teller and Heathen Kings supporting. A week later, Sellsword takes the Sophie Lancaster Stage at Bloodstock Open Air, a well-earned slot for a band from Yorkshire that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Music recommendation:
Upcoming live dates:
- 31.07.2026 – Album Release Party „…With Might and Vengeance“ (with Fortune Teller & Heathen Kings) – The Fulford Arms, York, UK
- 07.08.2026 – Bloodstock Open Air (Sophie Lancaster Stage) – Catton Park, Walton-on-Trent, Derbyshire, UK
Links:
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Band of the Week — every Tuesday evening at 8pm CET we introduce a band recommended by our editorial team. These are mostly up-and-coming acts that, in our opinion, deserve more attention.
All bands we’ve featured this year are also collected in our Spotify playlist.
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