The band was founded in the early 1990s by guitarist, singer, and songwriter Michael Schinkel and combines classic hard rock with virtuosic guitar playing, memorable melodies, and powerful metal elements.

The roots of the band date back to 1986, when Michael Schinkel achieved his first musical successes with the band Firefox. In 1992, the project was restructured under the name Eternal Flame, resulting in a heavier, more distinctive sound strongly influenced by neoclassical guitar arrangements.

With the release of their debut album Desire in 1998, Eternal Flame gained international recognition for the first time. The album received positive reviews and attracted particular attention in Japan. Four years later, King Of The King (2002) further strengthened the band's reputation as one of Germany's premier melodic metal acts.

After a lengthy hiatus, the members initially pursued separate paths. Michael Schinkel and keyboardist Helmut Kohlpaintner focused on production and songwriting for other artists and established their own production company in Munich. Numerous requests from fans eventually led to the revival of Eternal Flame in 2012.

The band's comeback materialized in 2018 with the album Smoke On The Mountain. The recordings featured renowned musicians such as Mark Boals (formerly of Yngwie Malmsteen and Ring Of Fire) and Göran Edman (formerly of Yngwie Malmsteen and John Norum). The album received worldwide attention within the hard rock and metal community and highlighted the band's international ambitions.

In 2021, Michael Schinkel's Eternal Flame released Gravitation, an album that further developed the band's signature style: powerful riffs, virtuosic guitar work, memorable choruses, and a successful blend of classic hard rock and heavy metal. Together with Helmut Kohlpaintner, Thomas Keller, and Tommy Wagner, the band delivered a modern album that also paid tribute to the traditions of classic rock and metal.

Current Developments

A major loss struck Michael Schinkel's Eternal Flame with the passing of longtime bassist and vocalist Thomas Keller. Over many years, he played a vital role in shaping the band's sound, live performances, and spirit. His musical legacy remains an important part of Eternal Flame's history and continues to be honored by both his bandmates and fans.

With Fabian Pleiner joining on bass, a new chapter has begun in the band's history. At the same time, Eternal Flame secured one of the most respected voices in the international melodic metal scene by bringing Mark Boals on board as the band's permanent lead vocalist. The American singer is widely recognized as one of the genre's most distinctive and powerful vocalists.

In its current line-up, Michael Schinkel's Eternal Flame combines international experience, musical virtuosity, and decades of stage performance expertise. The band currently consists of:

• Mark Boals – Lead Vocals
• Michael Schinkel – Guitars, Songwriting
• Helmut Kohlpaintner – Keyboards
• Fabian Pleiner – Bass
• Tommy Wagner – Drums

For the fall of 2026, the band announces the release of its new studio album, Man Or God. The album marks the beginning of a new era for Eternal Flame. Featuring the powerful voice of Mark Boals, virtuosic guitars, epic melodies, and a modern production, Man Or God promises to be the band's most ambitious work to date. The album combines Eternal Flame's classic strengths with fresh influences and further underlines the band's international aspirations.