Canadian deathcore titans DESPISED ICON are back with Shadow Work (Nuclear Blast Records), their savage seventh album! A masterclass of relentless speed, crushing grooves, and morbid melodies, it’s the band’s most dynamic and uncompromising effort to date

DESPISED ICON drops ‘Reaper,’ a new collaboration of deathcore titans, featuring Tom Barber (CHELSEA GRIN) and Scott Ian Lewis (CARNIFEX). True to their signature style, the song delivers morbid melodies and massive grooves with relentless intensity. Watch the track video for ‘Reaper’ here:

Order Shadow Work: https://despisedicon.bfan.link/shadow-work

DESPISED ICON are currently touring the U.S. with headliners SANGUISUGABOGG. The 22-date trek includes DEFEATED SANITY, and CORPSE PILE as support and will conclude on November 30th in Columbus, OH. Following the tour, the band will headline 2 sold-out hometown shows on December 6th and 7th at Club Soda.

11.22  Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
11.23  Charlotte, NC @ The Underground
11.25  Pittsburgh, PA @ Roxian Theatre
11.26  Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage
11.28  New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
11.29  Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
11.30  Columbus, OH @ The King of Clubs
12.06  Montreal, QC @ Club Soda *sold out*^
12.07  Montreal, QC @ Club Soda *sold out*^

^ – DESPISED ICON only

In two weeks, Canadian deathcore pioneers DESPISED ICON unleash their seventh full-length album, Shadow Work which will be released on October 31, 2025 via Nuclear Blast Records. The album stands as the band’s most fine-tuned and dynamic effort to date, balancing relentless speed, crushing grooves, and morbid melodies, while remaining true to their signature blend of extreme death metal and hardcore grit.

From crushing riffs and blistering blast beats to a seismic breakdown, ‘The Apparition’ unleashes DESPISED ICON‘s dynamic chaos. A visceral anthem of loyalty tested and spirits fractured beyond repair, its lyrics are a haunting exploration of betrayal, brotherhood, and inner ruin. Watch the music video directed by Simon Marchand of Disjonctés Production, here:

Stream ‘The Apparition‘: https://despisedicon.bfan.link/the-apparition

DESPISED ICON‘s Eric Jarrin comments, “We are really stoked to present this third single to all of you. ‘The Apparition’ holds a special place in my heart as it is the last song I wrote for this record. With the help of Alex for the arrangements, I allowed myself to push the melodic enveloppe a bit further and came up with one of the most crushing breakdowns on the album.

This song also marks our first collaboration with Simon and Disjonctés Productions. Not only did he understand the very personal lyrics of ‘The Apparition,’ Simon found a very artistic way to translate it into images while encompassing the energy of the band performing. Thanks for watching.”

Pre-order/pre-save Shadow Work: https://despisedicon.bfan.link/shadow-work

In less than 3 weeks, DESPISED ICON will join headliner’s SANGUISUGABOGG on their U.S. tour. The 22-date trek, which includes DEFEATED SANITY, and CORPSE PILE as support, will kick off in Detroit on November 4th and make stops in Santa Ana, Houston and New York concluding on November 30th in Columbus, OH. Following the tour, the band will headline 2 sold-out hometown shows on December 6th and 7th at Club Soda.

11.04  Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall
11.05  Chicago, IL @ Metro
11.06  Indianapolis, IN @ Deluxe (Old National Centre)
11.07  Lawrence, KS @ The Granada
11.08  Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
11.09  Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey
11.11  Phoenix, AZ @ The Nile Theater
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 @ Baltimore Soundstage
11.28  New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
11.29  Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
11.30  Columbus, OH @ The King of Clubs
12.06  Montreal, QC @ Club Soda *sold out*^
12.07  Montreal, QC @ Club Soda *sold out*^

^ – DESPISED ICON only

Canadian deathcore pioneers DESPISED ICON return with their seventh full-length album, Shadow Work which will be released on October 31, 2025 via Nuclear Blast Records. Their first new music in six years, the album stands as the band’s most fine-tuned and dynamic effort to date, balancing relentless speed, crushing grooves, and morbid melodies, while remaining true to their signature blend of extreme death metal and hardcore grit. 

Pre-order/pre-save Shadow Work: https://despisedicon.bfan.link/shadow-work

Driven by DESPISED ICON‘s trademark fusion of explosive blast beats and crushing breakdowns, ‘Death of an Artist‘ is a merciless journey through the psychological turmoil of self-doubt, ego death, and rebirth. Defined by raw intensity and unyielding resolve, the lyrics follow a powerful journey of transformation: an artist confronts fading dreams and broken promises before emerging stronger through ruin and redemption. Watch the music video directed by Jessy Fuchs, below.

DESPISED ICON‘s Alex Erian comments, “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. Thanks for listening.”

Stream ‘Death Of An Artist‘: https://despisedicon.bfan.link/death-of-an-artist

Canadian deathcore pioneers DESPISED ICON return with their seventh full-length album, Shadow Work,which will be released on October 31, 2025 via Nuclear Blast Records. Their first new music in six years, the album stands as the band’s most fine-tuned and dynamic effort to date, balancing relentless speed, crushing grooves, and morbid melodies, while remaining true to their signature blend of extreme death metal and hardcore grit.

Today, DESPISED ICON release their ferocious new anthem entitled, ‘Over My Dead Body‘ featuring Matt Honeycutt of KUBLAI KHAN TX. The single features eerie atmospherics and a crushing breakdown that confronts fear and doubt with iron resolve—a battle cry of self-belief, pain, and purpose. Watch the music video directed by Didier Charette, here:

Stream ‘Over My Dead Body’ featuring Matt Honeycutt of KUBLAI KHAN TX:
https://despisedicon.bfan.link/over-my-dead-body

DESPISED ICON‘s Alex Erian comments, “Even though our first jam dates back to the fall of 2000, it wasn’t until 2002 that we started playing shows and putting out music. From day one, Despised Icon has always stuck to a ‘if it’s not ready, it’s not ready’ mindset with everything we create. Fast forward almost six years since our last album Purgatory, and not much has changed. We’ve taken our time once again, and now we’re finally ready to turn the page and release what we feel is our most fine-tuned and dynamic record to date—staying grounded in the sound and spirit we helped define. We can’t wait to share new music with you all very soon.”

Nuclear Blast American Label Manager & A&R Tommy Jones comments, “The wait was well worth it! This is a fantastic album and I cannot wait for the world to hear it in it’s entirety. Great things come out of the shadows.”

Pre-order/pre-save Shadow Work: https://despisedicon.bfan.link/shadow-work

Shadow Work was produced by the band’s own Alex Erian and Eric Jarrin, while Christian Donaldson (CRYPTOPSY, SHADOW OF INTENT, SIGNS OF THE SWARM) handled mixing and mastering. The album marks a significant chapter for a band whose core lineup has remained largely unchanged since its inception. It’s a deeply introspective record that reflects both personal growth and the turbulence of the world around us. The artwork for the album was created by Eliran Kantor (HATEBREED, THY ART IS MURDER, CAVALERA).

Shadow Work Tracklisting:
1. Shadow Work
2. Over My Dead Body
3. Death Of An Artist
4. Corpse Pose
5. The Apparition
6. Reaper
7. In Memoriam
8. Omen Of Misfortune
9. Obsessive Compulsive Disaster
10. ContreCoeur
11. Fallen Ones

On October 29th DESPISED ICON start their extended co-headlining EU/UK tour together with DECAPITATED. Also, check out OCEANO, DISTANT and VISCERA as support bands.

Alex Erian comments: “It’s been 3 long years since we’ve toured and 4 since we’ve set foot in Europe.  We look forward to sharing the stage with Death Metal legends Decapitated and with our old friends in Oceano. We’d also like to send a quick shoutout to everyone that has pre-ordered “Déterré” so far. We’ll be performing a few old school tracks from the EP on this upcoming tour. Hope to see you then!”

Déterré pre-orders and European tour tickets available at www.despisedicon.com

10/29 Hannover, GER – Faust
10/30 Wiesbaden, GER – Schlachthof
10/31 Brussels, BEL – Botanique
11/01 London, UK – The Electric Ballroom
11/02 Bristol, UK – SWX
11/03 Birmingham, UK – The Mill
11/04 Glasgow, UK – Garage
11/05 Manchester, UK – Damnation Fest
11/06 Paris, FRA – La Machine du Moulin Rouge
11/07 Lyon, FRA – CCO
11/08 Pratteln, SWI – Z7
11/09 Munich, GER – Backstage
11/10 Milan, ITA – Slaughter Club
11/11 Ljubljana, SLO – Orto Bar
11/12 Budapest, HUN – Durer Kert
11/13 Prague, CZE – Meet Factory
11/14 Warsaw, POL – Proxima
11/15 Leipzig, GER – Felsenkeller
11/16 Berlin, GER – SO36
11/17 Hamburg, GER – Gruenspan
11/18 Tilburg, NET – O13
11/19 Bochum, GER – Matrix

Pre-order your copy of DÉTERRÉ here: http://nblast.de/DespisedIcon-Deterre

Montreal Deathcore OG’s DESPISED ICON are celebrating their 20-year anniversary via a special rarities EP entitled DÉTERRÉ.

DÉTERRÉ means ‘Unearthed” in French. This is exactly what the latest release from DESPISED ICON is. The EP consists of 5 old-school songs dating back to 2004. It seemed fitting to remaster and re-release these early recordings to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the band, which took form in 2002. 

DÉTERRÉ is out October 28th, 2022 worldwide via Nuclear Blast Records.

Montreal Deathcore OG’s DESPISED ICON are celebrating their 20-year anniversary via a special rarities EP entitled DÉTERRÉ.

DÉTERRÉ means ‘Unearthed” in French. This is exactly what the latest release from DESPISED ICON is. The EP consists of 5 old-school songs dating back to 2004. It seemed fitting to remaster and re-release these early recordings to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the band, which took form in 2002. 

DÉTERRÉ is out October 28th, 2022 worldwide via Nuclear Blast Records.

DESPISED ICON Alex Erian comments, “2004 was a definitive year for DESPISED ICON. After switching from drums to vocals and recruiting Alex Grind behind the kit, we started experimenting more and more, blending various elements of Death Metal and Hardcore together. Eager to get our name out, we played every show we could jump on and quickly recorded demo versions of ‘Bulletproof Scales’ and ‘Warm Blooded’.
After uploading both tracks to Myspace and mailing a few hand-assembled CD-R promo copies to labels, people were finally starting to notice. The next thing we knew, we were booked on our first US tour with DEICIDE and were in the studio working simultaneously on a split CD for Relapse Records and on our sophomore album The Healing Process for Century Media.
Unearthed after 17 years and available on tape and 10” vinyl formats for the very first time, the 5 demo tracks on Déterré capture the energy and excitement of that era. We hope you enjoy this limited edition EP and look forward to sharing new music with you in 2023.”

Below is the DÉTERRÉ tracklist:
1. Warm Blooded
2. Bulletproof Scales
3. One Last Martini
4. Oval Shaped Incisions
4. Sever The Ties

Pre-order your copy of DÉTERRÉ here: http://nblast.de/DespisedIcon-Deterre
Pre-save the album here: https://bfan.link/DespisedIcon-Deterre

DÉTERRÉ was recorded throughout 2004 by Yannick St-Amand at Wild studio for a few songs and drums at Studio Victor while guitars, bass, and vocals by J-F Dagenais at his home studio. The band produced the album and mixing was a joint effort between Yannick St-Amand; and Jean-François Dagenais. Alexandre Goulet created the artwork for the EP.