Description
Founded in 2016, GRACELESS emerged from the thriving underground death metal scene of the Netherlands, quickly establishing a fanbase across the globe. Now, in 2025, GRACELESS is set to release their most groundbreaking album to date: 'Icons of Ruin'. Released via Listenable Records, their fourth full length record will mark a new chapter in the band's repertoire, pushing their sound to unprecedented heights. 'Icons of Ruin' is a bold statement, a reflection of everything GRACELESS has accomplished and a promise of what's yet to come.
With their signature maelstrom of riffpacked heaviness and melody, GRACELESS' music is an epic journey through the darkest recesses of the human experience. The band - a steadfast lineup that has remained intact since day one- forms a sonic powerhouse that's as tight-knit as it is unrelenting. GRACELESS are known for their powerful live performances--a sonic encounter that transcends the typical concert.With a stockpile of new tracks on the setlist the band is sure to conquer stages once again.
Their commitment to their craft, their explosive live shows, and their inexhaustible drive to reinvent have made GRACELESS a force to be reckoned with, and 'Icons of Ruin' is set to confirm their place in the annals of death metal history.
GRACELESS' 4th album 'Icons of Ruin' blends the heaviness and brutality of their earlier work with an even deeper emotional resonance. The songs are crafted with the live setting in mind--each track is a beast made to roar in front of a headbanging crowd. With a massive sound conjured at the renowned Soundlodge recording facilities, 'Icons of Ruin' boasts mountainous songs, flowing seamlessly from pulverizing aggression to tragedy-infused melodic moments, all while maintaining the relentless death metal energy that has defined the band since their inception.
'Icons of Ruin' builds upon GRACELESS' vintage sound: combining heaviness with melodies that are as memorable as they are majestic, slicing through the dense, crushing soundscape like rays of light through a storm. "To be honest, I don't think we could've put more riffs on this album", says guitarist Bjorn Brusse. Songs like God Shines in Absence and Rise of the Blackest Sun create a uniquely captivating atmosphere, with tracks that will crack necks as well as resonate deeply in the quiet, reflective moments.
Thematically, 'Icons of Ruin' is a gateway to humanity's darkest gravitations, with themes of loss, resilience, and willpower. The tracks tell personal yet universal stories of downfall and rebirth, despair and transcendence. GRACELESS delve into the human condition, blending their signature sound with an emotional intensity that elevates their genre to new heights.
"'Icons of Ruin' is exactly what GRACELESS should sound like. This is us", says drummer Marc Verhaar. The songs are destined to be more than just tracks--they are anthems, rallying cries for those who are also witnessing the world around them crumble and burn. "GRACELESS has become much more than a regular death metal band", says Jasper. "We couldn't be more proud of this album", concludes frontman & founder David Kreft.
For fans of BOLT THROWER ASPHYX, GORGUTS, PARADISE LOST, DEATH, BLOODBATH
