The USA-based post-punk/dark alternative outfit Octavian Winters has unveiled a new single, "Hermine", an invigorating song that channels the band's edgier energy. Erupting with a wall of sound from the first notes, this is the first song written for its debut album, anticipated for early 2026 via Stratis Capta Records.

Formed in 2022, Octavian Winters is guitarist Stephan Salit (Thrill Of The Pull), drummer Randy Gzebb (Thrill Of The Pull, Love Club), bassist Jay Denton and Ria Aursjoen (Aursjoen) on vocals and keyboards. Fusing a visceral and ethereal sound, they create haunting textures and channel half-remembered stories from an indifferent metropolis, shadows and lunar energy looming over a concrete maze.

Now critically acclaimed, the band gained a solid reputation with its 2023 debut EP, The Line Or Curve, and 2024's Nebula / Velveteen collaboration with Mark Pistel (Consolidated, Meat Beat Manifesto), its tightly crafted songs running the gamut from ethereal to dark and driving. This new offering, "Hermine", visits those harder edges.

"Hermine was wonderful to write and sing because it has a real no-holds-barred energy about it. I was also able to revisit some of my metal roots, in terms of vocal delivery, which was both fun and cathartic", says vocalist Ria Aursjoen. "The lyrics reference the novel Steppenwolf by Hesse, and explore the nature of the fragmented psyche and passionately urges the freedom of self-acceptance."

Randy Gzebb comments: "It feels like the song is moving forward with unstoppable momentum. This is one of my favourite songs to play live". Stephan Salit adds: "I started out writing this as an homage to Geordie Walker (R.I.P.), but it took on a life of its own, and well, here we are".

The Octavian Winters' forthcoming album was produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by William Faith (The Bellwether Syndicate, Faith & The Muse, Christian Death) at 13 Studio in Chicago.

The band already has a rich history of collaborating and touring with notable artists, including Nine Inch Nails, Killing Joke, Lords Of The New Church, Savage Republic, Christian Death, The Frozen Autumn, Everything Goes Cold and Black Tape For A Blue Girl.

Octavian Winters will be performing at A Murder of Crows Festival in New York on 30 August, joining Pink Turns Blue, Vision Video, Ritual Howls, Hallowed Hearts, Astari Nite, Soft Vein, Altar de Fey, Nox Novacula, The Brickbats, The Long Losts and 45 Grave. West Coast fans can also enjoy the band's 31 October show at Bar Sinister in Los Angeles for its legendary Ghostly Halloween Ball. Link