Halloween 2025 will be louder and heavier than ever. Despised Icon, the Canadian deathcore pioneers who helped shape the genre’s DNA, are back with Shadow Work, their first full-length release in six years. Due out October 31 via Nuclear Blast Records, the record sees the Montreal six-piece sharpen their hybrid of death metal precision and hardcore intensity into their most dynamic album yet.
Despised Icon is now streaming “Death of an Artist” alongside a video directed by Jessy Fuchs, and I challenge everyone to get through this whole song without punching their desk in half. The track barrels forward with explosive blast beats, serrated riffs, and an unrelenting sense of urgency, charting a narrative of self-doubt, collapse, and ultimate rebirth.
Despised Icon frontman Alex Erian explains: “We promised a rollercoaster with this record, and it”s time to deliver. ‘Where Over My Dead Body’ leaned into crushing grooves and dissonance, ‘Death Of An Artist’ pushes the pedal down with pure speed and technicality. This one is not only my favorite track on the album, it”s also the most personal. You can hear the echoes of the classic death metal bands that shaped us running through some of these riffs. We”re just getting started.”
Shadow Work was produced by Alex Erian and Eric Jarrin, with mixing and mastering handled by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy). The album’s artwork comes from renowned illustrator Eliran Kantor (Hatebreed, Thy Art Is Murder, Sigh, Cavalera, etc.).
Shadow Work is available to pre-order now in a variety of formats. You can also catch Despised Icon on tour with Sanguisugabogg, Defeated Sanity, and Corpse Pile at one of the dates below. Get your tickets here.
11/4 Detroit, MI St. Andrew’s Music Hall
11/5 Chicago, IL Metro
11/6 Indianapolis, IN Deluxe at Old National Centre
11/7 Lawrence, KS The Granada
11/8 Denver, CO Summit Music Hall
11/9 Albuquerque, NM El Rey
11/11 Phoenix, AZ The Nile Theatre
11/12 Santa Ana, CA The Observatory
11/13 Berkeley, CA UC Theatre
11/14 Los Angeles, CA The Regent
11/15 Las Vegas, NV Fremont Country Club
11/17 Dallas, TX Echo Lounge & Music Hall
11/18 Austin, TX Mohawk
11/19 Houston, TX White Oak downstairs
11/21 Tampa, FL The Orpheum
11/22 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade
11/23 Charlotte, NC The Underground
11/25 Pittsburgh, PA Roxian Theatre
11/26 Baltimore, MD Soundstage
11/28 New York, NY Irving Plaza
11/29 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
11/30 Columbus, OH The King of Clubs
12/6 Montreal, QC Club Soda
12/7 Montreal, QC Club Soda
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