PHOTO CREDIT: Krichan Wihlborg

Sweden’s melodic death metal legends Dark Tranquillity nearly saved 2020 with the release of their album, Moment. Now, four years later, and after the departure of guitarist Chris Amott, these masters are back for album number thirteen. This past Thursday (7th), Dark Tranquillity officially announced their forthcoming effort, Endtime Signals, is scheduled to arrive on August 16 via Century Media Records. To coincide with the reveal, the group has unveiled the record’s debut single, “The Last Imagination.” Accompanied by a visualizer crafted by former guitarist Niklas Sundin. With Mikael Stanne on vocals, Johan Reinholdz on guitar, Martin Brändström on electronics, Christian Jansson on bass, and Joakim Strandberg Nilsson on drums, Endtime Signals marks the official next chapter for the band. 

The group comments:

“Welcome to the world of Dark Tranquillity once again. It’s been a while since Moment and we’ve gone through quite a lot in order to end up where we find ourselves today. But as we can reveal the first single from the upcoming Endtime Signals, the feeling is that of pride, accomplishment, and a fair bit of relief. ‘The Last Imagination’ showcases one of many facets of what we feel is our most diverse album to date.”

Going back to what we fundamentally feel is the core of Dark Tranquillity, with a partly new line-up, has been a tremendous experience. It gave us the opportunity to re-evaluate and view what we have built from a new and exciting perspective. This resulted in a focused and intense writing period where we have discovered aspects of our music anew and taken certain elements of it further than before. Joakim Strandberg Nilson has delivered above and beyond in terms of drumming, with Christian Jansson following through in fierce and precise fashion. This has driven the writing and recording process to feel challenging, different and inspiring in the best way possible.

Thematically. the album deals with where we are heading, what has truly and fundamentally changed in us and how we find ways to cope with it. It has been hard finding that spark of positivity lately and there is a sense of grief running through the course of the album. Not only in the sense of mourning what we have lost on a personal level, but also where our sacrifices have taken us. ‘The Last Imagination’ in particular takes this to its logical conclusion and talks of what we leave behind and how hard it is for us to grasp that our significance might not be what we imagined.

The breadth of the album is something we have worked hard at and we believe that this first song gives an indication if not a full picture of what is in store. There is ferocious speed, grinding brutality and haunting melodies of devastating loss to come. This is us making good on our promise to ourselves and our continuing mission.”

 

Watch the clip below: