Ascending Mount Arreat: Old Ruins Bring Diablo II to Life Through Metal

Ascending Mount Arreat: Old Ruins Bring Diablo II to Life Through Metal

Germany’s metal underground continues to produce bands with a distinctive vision, and Old Ruins stand firmly among them. Hailing from Gelsenkirchen, the four-piece outfit has forged a unique identity by channeling the dark fantasy world of Diablo II into their music, blending heavy riffs, epic storytelling, and a genuine passion for gaming culture. Their latest album, Mount Arreat, takes listeners deep into the events of Lord of Destruction, transforming legendary quests, battles, and sacrifices into towering metal anthems. Highwire Daze caught up with rhythm guitarist Ersin Kara to discuss the band’s origins, the making of Mount Arreat, their memorable church-shot music video, German beer, and their hopes of one day bringing their battle-tested songs to American shores.

Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Old Ruins, and how long the band has been together.
Ersin: Hello Highwire and hello Ken! I’m Ersin Kara of Old Ruins, and I play rhythm guitar in Old Ruins.

The band has existed since 2019, but our former drummer (Alex) had to step down because of health issues. Since 2024, we have Mike in our ranks.

Besides Mike and me, there is Kraje (vocals and lead guitar) and Oliver on bass.

Where is the band based out of, and what is your local music scene like there?
Ersin: We are based out of Gelsenkirchen, Germany, and the scene is healthy for the most part, because here in the Ruhr Area we connect with bands from neighboring cities, like Smorrah and The Voids Embrace from Gelsenkirchen, Scraper from Marl, Blodtake out of Oberhausen, Teutonic Slaughter from Gladbeck, and many, many more bands.

Is there an overall story or concept behind the album title and the song “Mount Arreat”?
Ersin: The band itself is based on a concept from the game Diablo II, where we try to dramatize the story of the game in a musical fashion.

The album Mount Arreat is based around the expansion pack called Lord of Destruction and its story as a whole.

The song itself describes the mission where you have to travel up the mountain Mount Arreat and face the Ancients to prove your worthiness to go further into the Worldstone Keep.

The first single is “Once There Was Light.” What was the inspiration behind the track and the music video?
Ersin: “Once There Was Light” is mainly about how the elders of the Barbarian tribe, in a last-ditch effort to at least hold off the forces of evil, sacrifice themselves in order to summon a barrier around the city of Harrogath that the demons can’t get through.

I always wanted to shoot a music video in a church, and it fit the story of the song perfectly.

So we found a cultural organization that connected us to a local church willing to let us shoot in it, gathered our friends from Scraper, Hauke Kuster, and Frank Stellmacher, and shot the video. Ideas evolved as we filmed it.

Let’s head toward the “Gates of Harrogath.” What can you tell me about the inspiration and meaning behind that song?
Ersin: “Gates of Harrogath” is about the troops of Harrogath, who remain outside the walls and barrier, fighting the forces of Baal and fighting to their last breath.

If you’re looking for meaning, I would say it is to fight for what you believe in, even if the odds don’t favor you.

The album concludes with the absolutely devastating “Tyrael’s Despair.” What inspired that grand finale?
Ersin: “Tyrael’s Despair” is about how Tyrael is wrestling with a choice. Baal corrupted the Worldstone to enslave humanity, so destroying it was Tyrael’s only way to save humanity from that fate. But it is a difficult decision in the end because the Worldstone is a very powerful tool for both sides, Heaven and Hell. But sensing its corruption, even if used on the side of Light, and seeing no other way to end this endless conflict and the ultimate corruption through Baal, he destroys the Worldstone and gives humanity at least a chance.

Who created the stunning artwork for the album, and how much direction or inspiration did you give them?
Ersin: The artwork was created by the ever-awesome Timon Kokott. He is a fan of Diablo as well, and he did every cover we have had. The first one was a commission Alex got rolling, the second one was a premade piece from Timon that fit perfectly for the first album, and on this one Kraje commissioned him.

So, with him knowing us through all our history, there was complete trust between us because we love his style and him as a human being. Kraje just gave him a rough idea, and from Timon’s first sketches we knew that we wouldn’t need any further iterations or alterations.

So if you need anything art-related, check him out!

Your debut EP was released in November 2020, right in the middle of a worldwide pandemic. What was it like to premiere your music during such a historic and uncertain time?
Ersin: Daunting, but also the perfect test in hindsight. This band was actually born as a studio project, and there were no plans to take this to the stage. In that situation, we didn’t know if we ever could. But feedback from friends within the scene was so good that we chose to release it independently.

Lacky (drummer of the legendary thrashers Darkness) had an online shop, and to support us he kindly took us into his inventory. Online channels also helped make a “studio project” into a gigging band that releases albums, because people yearned for new music as well.

Germany is famous for its beer! What is your favorite beer of choice, and why?
Ersin: Stauder! There is no other!

Kidding aside, it is just the best pilsner out there, and it’s local and not a faceless company.

Has Old Ruins ever played here in the States, or is that something you’d like to do in the future? If so, what was the experience like?
Ersin: Sadly, we haven’t had the chance yet to do a show in the States, but our growth is generated organically, and everything comes when the time is right for it.

If there are some people who would book us in the States, we would be more than honored to play. So if the stars align, we would be glad to play for our fans overseas.

What’s up next for Old Ruins?
Ersin: First, promote this album. Like I said, we try not to force things in this band. We try to do what is the best next step, and that is to get this album out and play it live.

As for another release, we have no plans yet. That comes when the time is right.

Do you have any messages for Old Ruins fans here in the States?
Ersin: For all the nerds and non-nerds who may be listening to us: thank you very much for your support, regardless of what form it takes. Whether it is buying merch, music, or even donning a pirate hat (wink wink) while still telling people about us, thank you for your support.

And if the stars are willing, we will visit you one day, play our music for you, and drink with you!

Rock and roll!

In Conclusion

With Mount Arreat, Old Ruins have once again demonstrated that great metal storytelling can come from a place of genuine passion and authenticity. Whether you’re a longtime Diablo devotee or simply a fan of blackened death soundscapes infused with epic themes and powerful classic metal melodies, Old Ruins offer a journey well worth taking. As the band continues to promote the new album and expand its reach beyond Europe, fans in the United States can only hope the stars align and bring these German warriors across the Atlantic. Until then, raise a glass of Stauder, crank up Mount Arreat, and prepare for battle alongside Old Ruins. Rock and roll!

Thank you to Markus Eck of Metal Message ᴳᴸᴼᴮᴬᴸ • 𝐸𝓈𝓉. 2001 for setting this up!

(Interview by Ken Morton)

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