Shinedown is making steady progress on their eighth studio album, with drummer Barry Kerch confirming the band is “really close” to finishing the highly anticipated record. In a recent interview with FM99 WNOR radio station, Kerch provided an update, indicating a meticulous approach to the new material.
“The news is it’s not ready yet,” Kerch stated (as transcribed by Blabbermouth), while also revealing the album is “95% there.” He emphasized the band’s long-standing commitment to quality over speed. “We’re never gonna put anything out that’s not up to our standards. And we’ve never rushed a record and we’re not gonna rush this one.” The band is currently targeting an early next year release, with “probably early next year is what we’re shooting for” as a release timeframe. Kerch mentioned there are “a couple of more [songs] that we just need to tweak and we’re not happy with.”
The process of creating a Shinedown album involves considerable effort, from songwriting and instrument recording to meticulous mixing and mastering, followed by a careful selection of tracks. “It takes a lot to make a record — between the actual songs, recording the instruments, then getting the right mix and the right master and then going, ‘Okay, here’s a collection of songs. Which ones are gonna make the record and which ones aren’t good enough for us?'” Kerch explained. He also touched upon the band’s disciplined creative process, noting that Shinedown has “had a lot of throwaways that are good songs, but they didn’t either fit that record or they just weren’t good enough.” These discarded ideas, he added, are crucial because “you have to get those ideas out to move on to whatever that next idea is. So we’re kind of in that process right now.”
One of the ongoing challenges in the recording process is coordinating schedules, particularly due to frontman Brent Smith‘s relentless work ethic. Kerch affectionately highlighted this aspect, stating: “You know my lead singer [Brent Smith] — he never stops touring or stops working, so it’s also finding time to get in the studio without him going, ‘Oh, yeah, by the way, we’re gonna go over to Europe for a month,’ and then come back and do this… Which is fine, and I love his work ethic.” He expressed deep admiration for Smith‘s dedication, adding, “That man will work circles around all of us in this room and then some. And that’s what makes it fun and interesting in this band, is seeing his passion. I’ve known him for 23 years now. He’s my ride or die. I support that guy, and even in his worst and darkest days, when he made a decision, it was always the right one.”
Shinedown has already offered a preview of their upcoming album, having released two singles, “Three Six Five” and “Dance, Kid, Dance,” in January via Atlantic Records. These tracks provide a glimpse into what fans can expect from the full release next year.
Shinedown 2025 Tour Dates:
- Jun 11, 2025: Rock For The People – Český Brod, Czechia
- Jun 14, 2025: Download Festival – Castle Donington, England
- Jun 17, 2025: Islington Assembly Hall – London, United Kingdom
- Jul 19, 2025: TD Garden – Boston, MA
- Jul 20, 2025: Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
- Jul 22, 2025: PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA
- Jul 23, 2025: Schottenstein Center – Columbus, OH
- Jul 25, 2025: Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, MI
- Jul 26, 2025: Fiserv Forum – Milwaukee, WI
- Jul 28, 2025: Target Center – Minneapolis, MN
- Jul 29, 2025: T-Mobile Center – Kansas City, MO
- Aug 2, 2025: PHX Arena – Phoenix, AZ
- Aug 3, 2025: Kia Forum – Inglewood, CA
- Aug 5, 2025: Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, CA
- Aug 7, 2025: Moda Center – Portland, OR
- Aug 8, 2025: Climate Pledge Arena – Seattle, WA
- Aug 11, 2025: Maverik Center – Salt Lake City, UT
- Aug 12, 2025: Ball Arena – Denver, CO
- Aug 15, 2025: Enterprise Center – St. Louis, MO
- Aug 16, 2025: Allstate Arena – Rosemont, IL
- Aug 18, 2025: Gainbridge Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
- Aug 19, 2025: Rocket Arena – Cleveland, OH
- Aug 21, 2025: Lenovo Center – Raleigh, NC
- Aug 23, 2025: Bon Secours Wellness Arena – Greenville, SC
- Aug 24, 2025: State Farm Arena – Atlanta, GA
- Aug 27, 2025: Toyota Center – Houston, TX
- Aug 28, 2025: Dickies Arena – Fort Worth, TX
- Aug 30, 2025: FedExForum – Memphis, TN
- Aug 31, 2025: Rocklahoma – Pryor, OK
