Combing through the shadows, Napalm Records found another gem in BLACK SPIKES—the Lithuanian modern progressive band has signed their first record deal with the Austrian metal flagbearers. The quintet brings the darkness right along with them on its new album, Ydos, scheduled for August 28, 2026. The release comes shortly after BLACK SPIKES’ double nomination at their home country’s Grammy-comparable M.A.M.A. Music Awards and their tour with juggernauts Infected Rain. Ydos deals with the eponymous flaws of humanity, each explored in their own song, conceptually interwoven with sophisticated metal with a twist, serving as a complex mirror for us all.
BLACK SPIKES about the signing:
“The funny thing is that while celebrating the release of our single ‘Imperatore’, we were actually discussing and even researching what it takes for a band to be signed by Napalm Records. Coming from a small country with a tiny metal scene and performing in our native language, we concluded we didn’t stand a chance and decided not to bother reaching out. A week later we were contacted by Napalm Records ourselves—and at first, we honestly thought it was a scam. But here we are, incredibly excited and looking forward to where this beautiful cooperation will take us.”
Napalm Records Junior A&R Christian Hollik about the signing:
“When I first heard BLACK SPIKES, I was overwhelmed by their sound. For me, it’s a unique songwriting style that combines progressive influences with electronic beats. Agni’s vocals, delivered in their native language, make it something truly special. The upcoming album marks a new era of uniqueness. This band has a great future ahead, and we are excited to embark on this journey together.”
Along with the album announcement comes the first single: “AUREA” shows BLACK SPIKES’ cinematic approach in its depiction of pride. The song unleashes a relentless storm of rapacious riffs and galloping drums, its grimness frequently broken up by halcyon parts whose cleverly placed tranquility conveys comfort in seemingly hopeless hazes. If you want to see BLACK SPIKES and their new song live, now is your chance: The band is currently on tour with INFECTED RAIN—see below for all the dates.
BLACK SPIKES about “AUREA”:
“AUREA is the name we chose for the vice of pride. It grows within us when we are young and beautiful but becomes painful when time passes and that beauty fades. The song is released together with a music video filmed in the stunning Lithuanian Museum of Ethnocosmology.”
The depth of its concept is reflected in every note of Ydos, from every heavy riff to every proggy twist. Leaning into electronic music while holding on firmly to their metal roots, the Lithuanian band creates a distinctive sound, alluringly dark and captivatingly heavy. BLACK SPIKES venture into gloominess, filling the void with spine-tingling philosophical thoughts and posing as Janus-faced companions on a fateful journey into the self in which every step should be taken with caution because a trap just might snap …
BLACK SPIKES about Ydos:
“Ydos is a conceptual album—a dark fairytale about human vices. The idea was there from the very beginning and guided the entire songwriting process. Each vice has its own name and story, and many songs will be brought to life through music videos where these vices take shape. It was our first time creating a conceptual album, and we really enjoyed starting with an idea and expressing it through music.”
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Initiating the story of Ydos is the eerie “PASAKA” (engl. fairy tale), an intro setting the mood with menacing ticking sounds growing into orchestrals and singer Agni’s high vocals layered with screams. A calming lullaby exploding into growls, thunderous blast beats, and elaborate guitar riffs, “MOTINA” (engl. mother) describes the birth of humankind’s vices and therefore serves as an exposition for the storytelling aspect. Throughout the ten songs of their second album, BLACK SPIKES explore the relationships with flaws we all carry within, devoting a song to each of them. “MELAS” (engl. lie) introduces trap beats and rap to the mix, all with an approach clearly rooted in modern metal with sophisticated progressive elements. “MARA”, investigating excessive curiosity, beautifully contrasts calmness and calamity, with the quintet allowing their different elements to breathe while still entwisting them persuasively. Following, “ZELVAR”, which features the album’s only English lyrics, and “REVANA” add endearing, highly recognizable riffs to Ydos, further opening the gates to the hauntingly beautiful realms BLACK SPIKES are unfolding as they delve into greed and revenge, respectively, the concepts personified in the form of demons. The raw rage evolves into carefully structured “APATIJA” (engl. apathy), whose futuristic intermezzi make for especially interesting headbanging rhythms throughout which Agni’s voice acts as a gentle guide. “AUREA” continues BLACK SPIKES’ cinematic approach in its depiction of pride, unleashing a storm of rapacious riffs and galloping drums, frequently broken up by halcyon parts, their cleverly placed tranquility conveying comfort in seemingly hopeless hazes. With pressing “SENAS DEMONAS” (engl. old demon), BLACK SPIKES free yet another hellish entity, before “DULKĖS” (engl. dust) picks up on the melodized cinematography, wrapping up this bleak exploration of what it means to be human.
Ydos tracklisting:
- PASAKA
- MOTINA
- MELAS
- MARA
- ZELVAR
- REVANA
- APATIJA
- AUREA
- SENAS DEMONAS
- DULKĖS
BLACK SPIKES Live 2026
Tour Support for INFECTED RAIN, w/ Butcher Babies
25.03.26 UK – Glasgow / Slay
26.03.26 UK – Newcastle / Anarchy Brew
27.03.26 UK – Manchester / Club Academy
28.03.26 UK – London / O2 Academy Islington
29.03.26 UK – Bristol / Fleece
30.03.26 UK – Birmingham / O2 Institute
31.03.26 UK – Southampton / The 1865
01.04.26 UK – Brighton / Concorde 2
03.04.26 BE – Kortrijk / DVG Club
04.04.26 NL – Nijmegen / Doornroosje
07.04.26 DE – Essen / Turock
08.04.26 DE – Weinheim / Café Central
09.04.26 FR – Paris / La Machine
10.04.26 FR – Lyon / La Rayonne
11.04.26 ES – Barcelona / Salamandra
12.04.26 ES – Madrid / Mon
14.04.26 FR – Toulouse / Metronum
15.04.26 IT – Milan / Legend Club
16.04.26 CH – Zurich / Dynamo Saal
17.04.26 DE – Lindau / Club Vaudeville
18.04.26 DE – Munich / Backstage Halle
19.04.26 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra (Blue Stage)
20.04.26 AT – Vienna / Szene
22.04.26 PL – Warsaw / Hybrydy
23.04.26 DE – Hamburg / Bahnhof Pauli
24.04.26 DK – Copenhagen / Pumpehuset
25.04.26 SE – Stockholm / Kollektivet Livet
28.04.26 FI – Helsinki / Ääniwalli
BLACK SPIKES are:
Agni – Vocals
Yaga – Guitar, Electronic elements
Mazvis – Guitar
Sime – Bass guitar
Titas – Drums
BLACK SPIKES online:
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
NAPALM RECORDS
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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 