Blackout Problems have released their brand new album DARK today (Jan 15th) via Sony Music/Music For Nations.
The inspired album reflects the German rock band’s response to some of the alarming headlines of recent years, including the resurgence of right-wing forces and the worldwide triumph of populism.
The record blends the energetic intensity of Bring Me The Horizon and Enter Shikari with the melodic potency of Twenty One Pilots.
DARK includes the new single ‘DRIVEBY’, which features sinister riffs paired with pulsating electronics among a hard-hitting message formed in lockdown and addressing the darker side of human emotions.
Regarding the single frontman and guitarist Mario Radetzky says, “DRIVEBY is one of these songs that came about without a real plan. We wrote this one on a rainy day in Berlin and it was just a great moment to get out of Munich, spend some time in the capital with old friends and be creative in the midst of it all.
“You sometimes come up with stuff that is waiting in your unconsciousness and you just start to bring it up by writing down whatever comes to your mind. It happened not only once that the lines I came up with made sense later on. So take for instance the chorus line “I DON’T GET YOUR IGNORANCE” I could apply this one to a lot of things happening right now.”
The album includes a string of well-received singles including the sharp bite of ‘GERMANY, GERMANY’, the hard-hitting ‘LADY EARTH’, down-tempo electronics in ‘HOUSEONFIRE’, the upbeat and energetic ‘BROTHER’, the pensive and pulsing title track ‘DARK’ and the emotionally-charged anthem ‘MURDERER’.
Alongside the album Blackout Problems are releasing the in-depth documentary DARK DAYS – THE DOCUMENTARY, which focuses on the creation of the album and the current state of being in a band and living life in Germany, and indeed Europe, today. Episode four is out now and available to watch here.
Blackout Problems have independently released two albums Holy (2016) and KAOS (2018), on their own Munich Warehouse label, having turned down major label overtures to retain full creative control. Nevertheless, the band roared into the official German album charts and saw their online presence and worldwide fan-base skyrocket.
The four-piece have toured extensively across the globe, playing at festivals including The Great Escape, Rock am Ring and Rock Im Ring and last year they completed a forty-date European tour as support act to Royal Republic, followed by their first headline international tour with performances in England, France, Holland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria and Switzerland.
The new album DARK shows an exciting evolution from Blackout Problems earlier days. Now signed to Sony Music worldwide and partnering with legendary label Music For Nations in the UK, they stand poised for international success. Their new music captures the weltschmerz of a generation and gives a voice to those who are willing to stand up for love, respect and social justice.