Summoning the Lich

Summoning the Lich is a St. Louis-based technical death metal outfit that has carved a unique niche by fusing the mechanical intensity of deathcore with the expansive world-building of high-fantasy literature.

Formed in 2017, the band quickly moved beyond the standard tropes of the genre to create a multi-album narrative arc centered on the 'Lich' character and the fall of the Kingdom of Rodor. Their sound is defined by Ryan Felps' neoclassical-influenced guitar work and David Bruno's versatile vocal delivery, which emphasizes clarity and storytelling even at extreme speeds. Critically, they are positioned as part of a new wave of technical death metal that prioritizes 'hooks' and thematic cohesion over pure dissonance. Their signing to Prosthetic Records and tours with genre leaders like Allegaeon and Origin have solidified their status as a rising force in the 'lore-core' or fantasy-death metal sub-scene. They represent a bridge between the precision of the technical death metal community and the immersive culture of tabletop gaming and fantasy fandom.