Symphonic death metallers KARU return with the first single from their upcoming album “Perdition“. Out on September 16th, 2025, “Shadow War” sets the tone for the record’s epic narrative and sonic scope.
At nearly ten minutes in length, “Shadow War” embodies the essence of KARU’s sound: brutal, unforgiving riffs and guttural vocals contrasted by sweeping orchestration and haunting melodic passages. The track mirrors the conceptual backbone of “Perdition“, a journey through a folklore-inspired vision of feudal Japan, where villages are razed by demons and survivors confront both despair and resilience.
Musically, the single evolves like a saga. It opens with relentless death metal ferocity, transitions into an atmospheric middle section the band dubs the “Dreamworld,” and culminates in an emotionally charged guitar solo that balances virtuosity with narrative weight. This dynamic structure highlights the trio’s artistic synergy:
- Niko Hienonen – vocals, production, orchestrations
- Kalle Pöyskö – guitars
- Toni Tieaho (ex-Mors Principium Est, Crystalic) – guitars
Produced, mixed, and mastered by Hienonen, “Shadow War” captures the next stage of KARU’s evolution after their acclaimed 2024 album “HYDRA”. With “Perdition“, the band pushes further, integrating clean vocals, Japanese voice acting, and even more intricate orchestration to craft an album designed as a seamless cinematic experience.
For fans of Wintersun, Brymir, Whispered, and Nightwish, KARU’s “Shadow War” is both a statement of intent and an invitation into a mythic, immersive world where extreme metal collides with symphonic drama.
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DIGITAL: https://lnk.to/crEB2U
To celebrate the release, KARU will also unveil an official lyric video for “Shadow War”, offering fans a visual entry point into the song’s story and atmosphere.
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/kmaz_NyPDOo
“Perdition” will be released worldwide on November 21st, 2025.
ALBUM PRE-ORDER – https://rockshots.eu/products/
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Track Listing:
1. Shores of Mist and Blood
2. Shadow War
3. Alone in the Forest
4. Embers in the Skies
5. Trail of Fire
6. Path of the Unforgiven
7. Perdition
Karu Line Up:
Niko Hienonen – Vocals, Production, Orchestrations
Kalle Pöyskö – Guitars
Toni Tieaho (ex-Mors Principium Est, Crystalic) – Guitars
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ABOUT:
KARU was formed in 2017 by Kalle Pöyskö and Niko Hienonen as a studio project. In 2020, the boys came out with the first EP “KARU,” which paved the way for the future of the band. The EP introduced the driving metal force of the band as well as the beautiful orchestrations that would be more prominent in the band’s future releases. In 2023, KARU was formalized as a proper live band, and two singles were released from the upcoming album. In April 2024, the band’s first full-length concept album, “HYDRA,” was released. The album gathered attention from critiques and received critical acclaim for its unique atmosphere and attitude towards conjoining brutal metal and beautiful orchestras.
The band started to work on the next full length album already before “HYDRA” was released. The concept started as an epic journey through the wilderness of a fantasy themed Japan, drawing inspiration from the Japanese spiritual world, where all the forests have a spirit of their own. The band finished the album in the summer of 2025, only a year after their last album was released. The band went through some lineup changes, and the newest lineup is the founders Pöyskö and Hienonen, as well as the lead guitarist virtuoso Toni Tieaho (Crystalic, Existence Depraved, ex-Mors Principium Est). With the new lineup, the band’s sound evolved to wholly new levels, and “Perdition” is a testament to the band’s new sound.
With “Perdition,” the band aims to bring their music and energetic live show to new audiences within and outside of their native Finland.
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