Dark Funeral will go into the studio almost immediately after finishing their European run with Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir, with founding guitarist Lord Ahriman saying the writing for the band’s eighth studio album is in its final stages.
He set out the timeline in an interview with Tobias Stahl from Obliveon, conducted around the release of the live album A Beast To Praise.
“Yes, we’ve actually been working on the new album for some time now, and the songwriting is in its final stages. It’s not quite finished yet, but we’re very close. Of course, things can still change in the studio, as some songs develop a life of their own during the recording process,” Ahriman said (as translated by Google Translate from German).
He continued: “Shortly after our European tour with Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir in October, we’ll be heading into the studio to start recording. Without giving too much away, I can say that I’m really excited about the new songs. Every album should have its own identity, and I think we’ve once again taken a natural step forward without losing what makes Dark Funeral what it is. Honestly, I believe this could be one of our strongest and most diverse albums ever. It contains everything people expect from Dark Funeral, but at the same time, we’ve incorporated many new ideas and fresh elements that feel completely natural and balanced. That was important to me because it’s the only way I stay inspired and creative when songwriting. After more than three decades, I believe you have to constantly challenge yourself, push your boundaries, and explore new ideas—without ever losing sight of your own identity.”
The record is scheduled for 2027. It will be the follow-up to 2022’s We Are The Apocalypse, which reached number six in Germany, 13 in Finland, 28 in Switzerland, 29 in Austria and 31 in their native Sweden.
Ahriman confirmed that the October dates will not feature the band’s full staging, since they open the bill.
“We’ll be opening for the upcoming European tour in October. This means we won’t be able to bring our full stage production. Therefore, we’ll be doing things a bit more simply and letting the music speak for itself,” he said.
Work on what comes after has been underway for over a year.
“At the same time, we’re already working on ideas for the tour cycle following the release of our eighth studio album in 2027. In fact, we started planning the first elements of the new production last summer. So fans can definitely look forward to a bigger and even more ambitious show,” Ahriman revealed.
Asked to name the single biggest turning point across more than thirty years, Ahriman did not hesitate.
He said: “Without a doubt, I would name Diabolis Interium. This album took Dark Funeral to a completely new level and opened many doors for us worldwide. It was also the time when we finally established ourselves as an international touring band, and everything grew very quickly after its release. Of course, every album has made its important contribution to our development, but if I had to name a decisive turning point, it would definitely be Diabolis Interium.”
He also named a reference point for the live album, Judas Priest‘s Priest…Live!, released in 1987, saying its atmosphere and energy still hold up nearly four decades on, and that this was the feeling the band chased on A Beast To Praise.
Ahriman explained the band’s connection to the country hosting five of the October dates.
“We are incredibly excited. Germany has always been one of our most important countries. In fact, it was – right after Norway – the second country outside of Sweden where we played back in 1995. That’s why we’ve always had a very special relationship with our German fans.”
A Beast To Praise arrives August 21 through Century Media Records. It was recorded at Fållan in Stockholm in 2022, at the release show for We Are The Apocalypse, the band’s first concert after the pandemic shutdown. The release runs 13 tracks across 69 minutes and 30 seconds, with “The Arrival Of Satan’s Empire” issued as the lead video.
Ahriman described the approach taken in mixing it.
“Of course, every live recording needs some processing, mixing, and mastering, but we were very careful not to overdo it. It was important to us to preserve the energy, the little imperfections, and the atmosphere that make a live show special. That’s exactly what a live album should capture for me.”
The recording and mix were handled by a former touring associate of the band.
Formats:
- Jewelcase CD
- Gatefold double LP, 180-gram black vinyl (Europe)
- Gatefold double LP, 180-gram transparent red vinyl (Europe, limited to 400 copies, via Napalm Records, EMP and Swedish retailers)
- Gatefold double LP, 140-gram black vinyl (USA)
- Digital
Earlier in July, while speaking to Ed Hackimer of “This Day In Metal“, Ahriman gave an update on the new album.
He said at the time: “We’re in the end of the writing process. So we almost got it. But when I to talked to Heljarmadr [Dark Funeral vocalist Andreas Vingbäck] about it, he was, like, ‘Don’t f**king jinx it. We’re not there yet.’ But I guess it’s just because I’m so excited. And I know he is too, but he was, like, ‘Take it easy.’ But, yeah, it feels great. We’ve been talking over the past couple of days a lot about how the songs developed, and he is on fire as much as I am. So this feels great. Of course it sucks that we’re not gonna be able to show this for you until next year, but the good thing is that it’s coming, a new studio record, and it’s gonna f**king be killer, that’s for sure.”
Tour Dates
August festival appearances:
- Aug 6–9, 2026 – Party.San Open Air, Schlotheim, Germany
- Aug 28–30, 2026 – Posada Rock, Câmpulung, Romania
- Aug 28–30, 2026 – Hellhammer Festival, Požega, Serbia
“In League With Satan” European tour with Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir:
- Oct 9 – Halle 622, Zurich, Switzerland
- Oct 10 – Sparkassen-Arena, Zwickau, Germany
- Oct 11 – Rockhal, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Oct 13 – Alcatraz, Milan, Italy
- Oct 14 – Zenith, Munich, Germany
- Oct 16 – Zénith, Paris, France
- Oct 18 – Mainstage, Den Bosch, Netherlands
- Oct 20 – Palladium, Cologne, Germany
- Oct 22 – Inselpark Arena, Hamburg, Germany
- Oct 23 – Columbiahalle, Berlin, Germany
- Oct 24 – Hala Vodova, Brno, Czech Republic
- Oct 27 – Ice Hall, Helsinki, Finland
- Oct 29 – Hovet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Oct 30 – K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Dark Funeral‘s current lineup is Lord Ahriman and Chaq Mol on guitars, Heljarmadr on vocals, Adra-Melek on bass and Jalomaah on drums.
