Swedish hard rock veterans Europe have officially released the music video for their catchy new single, “The Cult Of Ignorance“. The track serves as the second preview from their highly anticipated upcoming studio album, Come This Madness, which is scheduled to arrive on September 25 via Silver Lining Music.
Driven by an instantly memorable hook and a soaring, anthemic chorus, “The Cult Of Ignorance” pairs its undeniable catchiness with a thoughtful message suited for today’s fast-paced world, delivering moments of reflection without sacrificing its feel-good energy.
The accompanying music video features Europe alongside a star-studded cast of high-profile friends. Fans can spot cameos from renowned actress Malin Åkerman, tennis champion Stefan Edberg, astronaut Christer Fuglesang, Howling Pelle of The Hives, Mikael Åkerfeldt and Fredrik Åkesson of Opeth, and Swedish musician E-Type, alongside numerous other figures from the worlds of science, sports, fashion, and film.
Founding member and frontman Joey Tempest discussed the origins of the new single:
“I love this track! It’s a straightforward rock anthem with lyrics reflecting the times we live in, written slightly tongue in cheek. Mic [Michaeli, keyboards] came to me with this song idea while on tour in South America — I thought it was crazy good! We finished it together and it’s become a real banger! The title was inspired by a phrase coined by author and biochemist Isaac Asimov. It reflects some of the negative tendencies emerging in our world today, though it is written in a slightly light-hearted tone.”
Come This Madness represents a band that has refused to stand still. Across tracks like “One On One“, “The Cult Of Ignorance“, and the title track “Come This Madness“, the group channels raw energy and tension into a globally resonant and deeply personal record.
The album’s lead single, “One On One“, dropped in late April as a powerful reintroduction. Built around a driving bass riff and layered melodies, the track seamlessly blends Europe‘s classic identity with modern energy. The song was accompanied by a stark, cinematic music video directed by Patric Ullaeus and starring acclaimed actor Peter Stormare.
“‘One On One‘ is definitely one of my favorite tracks from the album,” said Joey Tempest. “The power and feel is fresh, but some of the melodies bring me back to where it all began. Lyrically, it’s perhaps not filled with as much escapism as early Europe. These lyrics automatically ended up being more of a reflection of the times we live in today. Ever since ‘One On One‘ was just a demo, we’ve stayed with it… never gave up on it, and elevated it to a place where it belongs: a high-flying, classic hard rock track.”
He added regarding the video collaboration: “We always knew Peter loved rock music, and when his name came up it just felt right. We wanted to approach this from a different angle — something more stripped back and unexpected.”
Come This Madness was recorded at RMV Studio in Stockholm, a recording facility founded by Benny Andersson and Ludvig Andersson. Production was handled by Tom Dalgety (known for his work with Ghost, Rammstein, Pixies, and Opeth), while mixing duties were completed by legendary studio veteran Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Van Halen, Metallica, The Cult). The album also boasts notable guest appearances by Tobias Forge of Ghost and Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth.
“It was a true pleasure working with Tom,” Tempest concluded regarding the producer’s deep involvement. “He’s creative, musical and incredibly intuitive — he really became a sixth member of the band during the writing and recording of this album. We even invited him to co-write on some of the songs.”
In support of Come This Madness, Europe will embark on an extensive run of live dates and festival appearances, culminating in a major tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Final Countdown. That anniversary trek is set to kick off in Glasgow on September 30.
The album artwork for Come This Madness was designed by Storm Studios, and the record will be available across vinyl, CD, and digital formats.
Come This Madness track listing:
- “One On One“
- “The Cult Of Ignorance“
- “Come This Madness“
- “This Time Of Year“
- “In A Different World“
- “Scandinavian Eyes“
- “Takin’ It Back“
- “In The Absence Of Grace“
- “The Angels Must Have Flown“
- “The Devil’s Back“
- “Nothing Can Follow This“
Europe “The Final Countdown 40th Anniversary Tour” 2026 Dates:
- Sept 30 – Glasgow, UK – SEC Armadillo
- Oct 02 – Wolverhampton, UK – Civic Hall
- Oct 03 – London, UK – Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith
- Oct 05 – Arnhem, Netherlands – Musis
- Oct 06 – Paris, France – Olympia
- Oct 08 – Barcelona, Spain – Poble Espanyol
- Oct 09 – Bilbao, Spain – Arena Miribilla
- Oct 10 – Madrid, Spain – La Cubierta
- Oct 12 – Lausanne, Switzerland – Salle Metropole
- Oct 13 – Zurich, Switzerland – Volkshaus
- Oct 14 – Milan, Italy – Alcatraz
- Oct 16 – Stuttgart, Germany – Liederhalle
- Oct 17 – Vienna, Austria – Gasometer
- Oct 19 – Berlin, Germany – Admiralspalast
- Oct 20 – Warsaw, Poland – Torwar
- Oct 22 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Falconer
- Oct 23 – Gothenburg, Sweden – Film Studios
- Oct 24 – Stockholm, Sweden – BK
- Oct 26 – Oslo, Norway – Sentrum Scene
