Photo by: Ty Fox
Official press release:
Bay Area thrash icons Heathen make a triumphant return, announcing their forthcoming magnum opus Lifetime in Hell, dropping February 19, 2027, via Napalm Records.
Alongside the album news, they have unleashed the explosive first single “Escapegoat”. Opening with a classic “Let’s go!” rallying cry, the track storms forward with delicious two-stepping thrash excellence, before blossoming into a triumphant chorus. With roots firmly planted in the glory days of ’80s thrash yet laced with modern flair, it’s a horns-in-the-air riff fest that will have you banging your head so hard you’ll need a neck brace afterward.
About “Escapegoat”, vocalist David White says:
“‘Escapegoat’ is a song that has been a long time in the making. It takes you on a journey through intense riffing and heart-pounding drum rhythms and is the first piece of the puzzle we wanted you to experience as a glimpse into the intensity and bigger picture that we feel this album will bring. Our goal was to make the greatest HEATHEN album to date, and we can’t wait to hear your response! As we embark on our final tour of 2026 with Forbidden and Void, we’ll be taking this new music on the road in the USA. Then, in the new year, we’ll begin a European tour as part of a triple revolving headlining tour with Exhorder and Belgium’s own Evil Invaders.”
Continuing about the accompanying video, guitarist Kragen Lum adds:
“We live in an increasingly superficial and plastic world, surrounded by artificial images, endless distractions, and expectations that can sometimes become too much to handle. We look for every opportunity to escape — to disappear into doom scrolling, binge watching, gaming, drugs, alcohol, and anything else that gives us a momentary release from the weight of reality. We build walls around ourselves. We bury ourselves in distractions. We convince ourselves that we can always escape the consequences. Until we can’t. Just one more distraction. Just one more escape. Just one last mistake. We are the ‘Escapegoat’.”
David White about the new album Lifetime in Hell:
“After touring extensively around the world in support of Empire of the Blind, we’ve spent the last year or so recording whenever we could make it happen, and we’re finally finished with this new album! We’re very proud to announce Lifetime in Hell. We want to thank Napalm Records for believing in us, Zeuss for producing the album, Jason Bittner for laying down the crushing drum tracks, and our families for their patience and support throughout this process. Most of all, we want to thank all of our fans for your enthusiasm and support over the years. We hope you wear this record out!”
Pre-order your copy of Lifetime in Hell NOW.
Lifetime in Hell track listing:
- “One Last Mistake”
- “Escapegoat”
- “Glass House” feat. Jeff Loomis
- “Sanity Charade”
- “Lifetime in Hell”
- “Goddess of the Light”
- “Demons Making Trophies of Men”
- “The Bitter End”
- “Darkness Bleeds”
- “Respite for the Damned”
- “Exit Strategy”
