Holy Wars have announced their new album and shared a sensational new track to give you a taste of what to expect.
The record is set to be titled ‘Shadow Work / Light Work’ and will be released on April 24 via Pale Chord / Rise Records BMG. It’s the first full-length from the band since 2022’s ‘EAT IT UP, SPIT IT OUT’ and their first body of work since 2023’s ‘Cult Classic’.
A concept album, vocalist Kat Leon had this to say about what it represents:
“The concept behind Shadow Work/Light Work is taking the grief and trauma of losing my parents ten years ago, and looking at how hard that has actually been for me. I have almost held onto that grief as armour for a long time, and at times have felt like I am owed some payoff for all of this pain. Then, after my sister passed away in 2024, it instantly brought me right back to that shadow mindset and darkness. However, instead of being trapped in it, I used it as a way of healing through writing. Ultimately, you have to confront the darkest parts of yourself, even the parts that you are unwilling to look at. Only then can you eventually find the light.”
The artwork looks like this:
Whilst the tracklisting is more like this:
Side A: Shadow Work
1. O Death
2. I Feel Everything
3. Shadowalker
4. Crucify
5. Skin Deep
6. I.F.O.Y.G.
Side B: Light Work
7. Proof of Existence
8. Kill The Light
9. Ceremony
10. Everything You
11. Holy Unholy
12. Metamorphosis
The announcement comes accompanied by a new track, taken from the ‘Light Work’ side of the record. It’s ‘Ceremony’, and is an absolute titan. Beautifully anthemic and wonderfully heavy in equal measures, it is arena-sized and a sign that the full record is going to be a huge listen.
Kat had this to say about the track’s sentiment, stating, “’Ceremony’ at its core is about the fantasy and fear of non-existence and the times I myself have not wanted to exist anymore. However, I want to provide a message of hope and more than anything, this song is about survivalism and a hope for a better life. We also touch on ceremonial references, including my own practice of candle magic. In the song I say “Wax in my veins, I’m candlelight” and ultimately I want to drive the point home of owning your power and your weakness.”
