Dutch black metallers Wrang have set 24 April as the release date of their upcoming third full-length, Verwording, which Dominance of Darkness Records will release on CD and vinyl. The band have also unleashed the first track, "Nachten in Walheim".
Formed in 2013 by the duo Valr and Galgenvot, Wrang did not become fully active until 2015, yet have since established themselves as standard‑bearers of the Netherlands' resurgent black metal scene. Their early work drew inspiration from the likes of Horna, Taake, and Slavia, but in more recent years – particularly with their second album, 2022's De vaendrig – a more rock 'n' roll‑inflected strain of black metal has come to characterise Wrang's sound, even if they do not fit neatly into the "black 'n' roll" label.
Their third full‑length, Verwording, now arrives to further prove the point. Brimming with bright, triumphant riffing and feverishly urgent execution, Verwording is a windswept journey through dark yet emotive corridors of ancient‑leaning black metal. One could describe this as Wrang at their most atmospheric – and one would not be wrong – but that alone does not capture the full picture. The duo retain the uncompromising, full‑throttle spirit of their previous record, yet the razor‑sharp melodicism here reframes that energy in a strikingly refreshing way.
Lyrically, Verwording mirrors this subtle sonic shift. Wrang explore themes that diverge from their earlier work, ranging from societal critique to more abstract reflections on the inner need for conflict, the urge to abandon home and familiarity, and the restless longing for something beyond reach. As with much of the band's output, the lyrics embrace contradiction: always searching, yet never at ease once the goal is attained; perpetually restless, defiant, and torn. Such is Wrang, to the bitter end.
Bringing these elements together is the album's cover art, which serves as a fitting metaphor for Verwording's sonic and lyrical landscape: adrift on storm‑lashed waters, ever searching, never settling, desperate yet unyielding. Long may Wrang's restless heart beat. Link
Verwording tracklist:
1. Stilstand
2. Entartete Kunst
3. Nachten in Walheim
4. Voor ons de zee
5. De Duivel is de ander
6. Bitjebauw
New Jersey (USA)‑based dark electro/industrial project Elektrikill, led by musician and producer Steve Vil, returns with Macabre Masquerade — their second full‑length album of 2026...
Hungarian atmospheric black metal duo WitcheR have released their new video single, "Suttogó". Translated as "The Whisperer", "Suttogó" draws listeners into a world of dark forests,...
Finnish symphonic metal icons Nightwish have announced their split with vocalist Floor Jansen, bringing to a close one of the most celebrated chapters in the band's three-decade history.
Finnish dark rock outfit Throat has unveiled a video for their new single, "Balance", the latest track from their forthcoming mini-album, All The World Makes Graves, due out on 27 January...
"I don't tend to judge people, but I do judge them if they're too lazy to engage in independent thought or if they're simply careless and don't consider the consequences..." - Sven Friedrich
"All of us want to bring back analogue methods—doing everything by hand. AI is completely outside our creative universe. It's a system designed to make things easier and faster." - Andy Julia
"I'm quite obsessive, and when I work on music, I can overwork and get myself in trouble. I always had a breakdown when I finished an album, because I drove myself to the brink." - Mick Moss
"I like to call our music suicide pop, because our songs are pretty easy to listen to, but the topics are very negative and quite dark. It's pop, but negative pop." - Simone Salvatori
