German symphonic metal collective CORONATUS proudly announce their upcoming studio album “Dreadful Waters”, a dark and ambitious exploration of the mysteries, dangers, and mythic forces of the sea. Scheduled for release on January 23rd, 2026 via Massacre Records, the album will be available as Mediabook CD and in digital formats. Alongside the album announcement, the band unveil the first single and lyric video “The Maelstrom”, offering a dramatic and immersive first glimpse into the record’s nautical world.

Stream / Download the single: https://save-it.cc/massacre/the-maelstrom

Inspired in part by Edgar Allan Poe’s tale “A Descent Into the Maelstrom”, the new single describes a heroic, deliberate plunge into a colossal turmoil: a symbolic journey toward the unknown, undertaken with purpose and sacrifice. Musically, “The Maelstrom” weaves folk-tinged passages, dramatic tempo shifts, atmospheric interludes, and orchestral metal intensity, mirroring the surge, retreat, and raw power of extreme tides.

The track perfectly sets the tone for “Dreadful Waters”: a symphonic metal voyage that dives into the darkest, most mysterious facets of the ocean.

For CORONATUS water becomes a symbol of all that is deep, unseen, dangerous, and awe-inspiring. While the previous album “Atmosphere” focused on threats in the “airy” realm, “Dreadful Waters” shifts the narrative toward oceans and seas: environments rich in myth, peril, and emotional metaphor.

Musically, the band once again offer an expansive spectrum of styles: symphonic metal as the foundation, enriched by folk elements, dramatic orchestrations, and experimental touches that have become a trademark of the CORONATUS sound.

The songwriting comes not only from drummer and founder Mats Kurth, but also from vocalist Nemesis and guitarist Harry Zeidler, widening the creative scope of the album.

“Dreadful Waters” was produced by Markus Stock and Mats Kurth at Klangschmiede Studio E, where Stock also handled mixing and mastering. His signature depth and clarity amplify the album’s dark maritime atmosphere.

The cover artwork, created by Michael Krebes, visually captures the album’s descent into the unknown, merging mysticism, danger, and the elemental force of water.

“Dreadful Waters” Track listing

1. The Maelstrom
2. Through The Brightest Blue
3. To The Reef!
4. The Ship’s Cook
5. Southern Cross
6. The Siren
7. A Seaman’s Yarn
8. Dark Ice
9. Die Hexe und der Teufel

CORONATUS will celebrate the new album with an exclusive release show:

–Saturday, January 24th, 2026
–Bryggaren, Västervik, Sweden

The band will perform the entire new album live, along with a selection of fan-favorite older pieces.

CORONATUS are

Leni Eitrich – Mezzo Soprano
Sabine Prechtel – Mezzo Soprano
Nemesis – Rock Voice
Tine Jülich – Violin
Harry Zeidler – Guitars
Simon Gutbrod – Bass
Mats Kurth – Drums

CORONATUS online:
https://www.coronatus.de/
https://www.facebook.com/CoronatusOfficial/
https://www.instagram.com/coronatus_official

Photo by Anja Eisfeld

With their new single, “Dark Ice”, symphonic metal act CORONATUS introduces their new band members Nemesis, who – with her rock-like vocals – acts as musical counterpart to mezzo-soprano Leni as well as the band’s new guitarist Harry and offer a first glimpse at their upcoming 11th studio album, which is expected to be released in 2024 via Massacre Records!

“Dark Ice deals with our deepest fears of both the unknown, and the strange. It deals with losing control over what could happen to us with every next step we take in an unsafe and unknown environment or situation.” The band comments.

A music video for the new CORONATUS single “Dark Ice” ( available on all digital services at THIS LOCATION! ) is now premiering here:

“Imagine a scene sliding over the ice of a frozen deep lake in complete darkness! You do not see your path, nor will you know, if it’s safe or not. Will the ice underneath your skates be stable or will you break through and drown in the cold black waters?

And did you recognize the strange creature behind you, both menacing and beautiful at the same time, frightening you with its dark eyes as well, as the lyrics of this song imply?

The creature symbolizes another fear, the fear of the stranger, the alien, the migrant. Is it really dangerous? Or is this only your stupid imagination, which makes you feel this fear and horror?

It’s the fear of threatening situations, both real or unreal ones, which we cannot control at all, which overwhelms us and drowns us in panic.”

CORONATUS is:
Leni Eitrich – Vocals (Mezzo-soprano)
Nemesis – Vocals (Rock)
Kristina Jülich – Violin
Harry Zeidler – Guitars
Mats Kurth – Drums

More info at
http://www.coronatus.de
https://www.facebook.com/CoronatusOfficial
https://www.instagram.com/coronatus_official