US punk vets THE CASUALTIES are back with their first new album in eight years.
With an estimated 50-plus armed conflicts currently active in a world riven by hatred, division and sabre-rattling hubris, the NYC quartet have been galvanised into action to deliver Detonate, the follow-up to 2018's Written In Blood.
“There are continuous wars and internal political battles," says guitarist Jake Kolatis. "Everybody's tearing each other apart. Detonate is saying we’re tired of all this division. With this record, we have a chance to say something and promote some type of unity.”
Released through Tim Armstrong's Hellcat imprint, Detonate is the second album to feature frontman David Rodriguez. "“We were in the studio for Written In Blood about eight months after I joined,” he says. “With this new record, we really grew together."
“It’s like a new era for the band,” agrees drummer Marc 'Meggers' Eggers. “It solidifies that Dave is here to stay.”
The band herald the release with a new lyric video for the title track, which gives voice to the feeling of pent-up anger and frustration of living in a world gone mad. “It stems from being overloaded,” says Meggers. “You feel like your head is about to explode, which I think is what everybody is feeling these days. You’re pounced on day by day with terrible news and social media, and you just feel like you’re going to snap.”
Set for release digitally on 27 March and physically on 17 July, Detonate is available to pre-order here.
The band are all set to hit this side of the pond this Spring and Summer with a string of festival dates, kickstarted by an appearance at Scarborough Punk Festival. Full dates are...
Mar 29 – Scarborough, UK – Scarborough Punk Festival
Jun 6 – Wels, Austria - Sbäm Fest
Jun 12 – Hagen, Germany – Torgau Ain’t Like You Festival
Jun 20 – Doneztebe, Spain – Ehuneko Bat
Jun 26 – Rennes, FR – Superbowl of Hardcore
Jun 27 - Münster, Germany – Vainstream Rockfest
Jun 28 - Tábor, Czechia – Mighty Sounds Festival
July 10- Prölsdorf, Germany - Krach Am Bach
Jul 18 – Rowy, Poland - Festiwal Urwanych Filmów
Jul 25 – Hohenems, Austria – Speedfest
Jul 27 – Brasov, Romania - Rockstadt Extreme
Jul 30 – Argenta, Italy – DLB Festival
Jul 31 – Sant-maurice-de-gaurdans, FR – Sylak Open Air
Aug 6 - Jaroměř, Czech Republic – Brutal Assault
Aug 7 – Ancora, Portugal – Praia Sonic Blast
Aug 8 – Duffel, Belgium – Brakrock
Aug 11 – Tolmin, Slovenia – Punk Rock Holiday
Aug 15 - Carhaix-plouguer, FR - Motocultor Festival
Aug 20 – Loburg, DE – Spirit Festival
Aug 22 – Oostkamp, Belgium – Parkpop
Pic by Jeff Schaer