Empyrium started as a German symphonic folk doom metal band founded in 1994 by Markus Stock (mostly using the pseudonym Ulf Theodor Schwadorf) and Andreas Bach, but later Ulf T. Schwadorf separated from Andreas Bach and took Thomas Helm as his partner. Their first two albums, A Wintersunset and Songs of Moors and Misty Fields, can be considered doom metal with folk and symphonic influences. They combine harsh and operatic male vocals with deep slow guitar parts and atmospheric keys. Their music is heavy, dark and romantic.