Canadian deathcore pioneers Despised Icon return with Shadow Work, their seventh studio album, set for release on October 31, 2025, via Nuclear Blast Records. This marks their first new material in six years and promises to be their most refined and dynamic record yet, blending relentless speed, crushing grooves, and dark melodies with the band’s trademark fusion of extreme death metal and hardcore grit.
The album is designed as a sonic rollercoaster, balancing aggression with atmosphere, pushing their signature style into new territory. Leading the charge is the new single “Death Of An Artist”, accompanied by a video directed by Jessy Fuchs. The track dives into themes of self-doubt, ego death, and rebirth, capturing both personal torment and cathartic transformation.
Musically, the song is defined by explosive blast beats, intricate riffing, and devastating breakdowns, echoing the band’s death metal influences while reaffirming their core identity. Lyrically, it confronts broken promises and fading dreams before finding strength in rebirth among ruins.
Frontman Alex Erian commented: “We promised a rollercoaster with this record, and now it’s time to deliver. While ‘Over My Dead Body’ leaned into crushing grooves and dissonance, ‘Death Of An Artist’ goes full throttle with speed and technicality. It’s not only my favorite track on the album but also the most personal. You can hear the echoes of classic death metal bands running through some of these riffs. We’re just getting started. Thank you for listening.”
