DESPISED ICON Recruits KUBLAI KHAN TX's MATT HONEYCUTT For Crushing New Single

Canadian deathcore trailblazers Despised Icon returns from the shadows with Shadow Work, their first full-length album in six years. Set for release on October 31, 2025 via Nuclear Blast Records, the band’s seventh studio effort finds them at their most refined and ferocious — a masterclass in balancing blistering speed, massive grooves, and visceral melody.

To mark the announcement, the band has unleashed the album’s lead single, "Over My Dead Body", a punishing anthem that features Matt Honeycutt of Kublai Khan TX. Blending atmospheric dread with a bone-shattering breakdown, the track is an unflinching declaration of defiance, purpose, and unrelenting self-belief.

Despised Icon frontman Alex Erian shared the following on the band’s long-awaited return: "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."

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

Shadow Work was produced by Alex Erian and Eric Jarrin, with mixing and mastering handled by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy). The album’s artwork comes from renowned illustrator Eliran Kantor (Hatebreed, Thy Art Is Murder, Sigh, Cavalera, etc.).

Shadow Work is available to pre-order now in a variety of formats. You can also catch Despised Icon on tour with Sanguisugabogg, Defeated Sanity, and Corpse Pile at one of the dates below. Get your tickets here.

11/4 Detroit, MI St. Andrew’s Music Hall
11/5 Chicago, IL Metro
11/6 Indianapolis, IN Deluxe at Old National Centre
11/7 Lawrence, KS The Granada
11/8 Denver, CO Summit Music Hall
11/9 Albuquerque, NM El Rey
11/11 Phoenix, AZ The Nile Theatre
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 Soundstage
11/28 New York, NY Irving Plaza
11/29 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
11/30 Columbus, OH The King of Clubs