The Dark Americana outfit :Skull & dawn: will release their second full-length album, “The Harvest”, on 17 October 2025 through The Circle Music. The first single, “Down to Hell (Black Cat Bar)“, is now out with a new video.
An introductory track to the album’s sound, “Down to Hell (Black Cat Bar)” tells a story of late-night revelry and a dark descent. The band describes it as an “urban ceremony” filled with banjos, distorted guitars, percussion, chains and “lots of alcohol”, culminating in a fall into a “dark well” that leads straight to hell.
The upcoming album “The Harvest” dives deep into a mysterious world of Southern Gothic horror, featuring songs about dead lovers, serial killers, lone cowboys, and lost souls. The album blends the band’s neofolk past with a true Americana sound and a Southern Gothic atmosphere.
The Circle Music said: “Although at first glance the style of :Skull & dawn: might seem out of step with The Circle’s previous releases, for some inexplicable yet undeniable reason, The Harvest felt destined (from the moment of its creation) to be released by us.
“It’s not just the fact that :Skull & dawn: have shared the stage with several of The Circle’s artists during live performances; it’s the very atmosphere of the album itself. From the very first listen, we all had the same instinctive reaction: The Harvest had to be released by us. There was simply no other way.”
“The Harvest” will be released in digital and CD formats, with the CD version including two bonus tracks: “Kingdom of the Corn (Live)” and “St. James Infirmary (Live)”. A limited edition black LP (250 copies) and a limited edition gold LP (250 copies) with a printed insert will also be available.
Guests on the album include Okoi Thierry Jones (Bölzer), Perikis Tikof (Opened Paradise), Ioanna Noir Zacharopoulou (Glitter Grotesque) and Vasso Jism.
Founded in 1999 under a different name as a trio in Athens, Greece, the band started by creating industrial noise music using hammers and electric screwdrivers. From 2002 to 2009, they embraced the heritage of Old Europe and folk instruments under the name Défilé des Âmes. They released the full-length LP Lust & Stone, a split EP, and several DIY EPs. They also collaborated with notable artists like Sieben.
The band reformed in 2009 as :Skull & dawn:, shifting their sound to be influenced by the American South. Their debut album, Zombie Horses (2016), fused their industrial roots with American folklore, creating a sound inspired by artists like The Bad Seeds and Hank 3. They have maintained a strong live presence over the years, performing with a wide range of artists, including Jarboe, Chelsea Wolfe and Psychic TV.
“The Harvest” tracklisting:
1. Down to hell (Black Cat Bar)
2. Knoxville Girl
3. Kingdom of the Corn
4. Born Dead
5. GG Allin
6. Gold is the Metal
7. Trouble was her Name
8. Old Testament
9. Hail to the King
10. Kingdom of the Corn (Live) (CD Bonus Track)
11. St. James Infirmary (Live) (CD Bonus Track)
:Skull & dawn: are:
Manos Six – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Electric Guitar, Percussion
Stamos A. – Electric Bass
Chris Abatis – Electric Guitar
Alex Tabakakis – Drums + Percussion
Vassilis Kemanidis – Violin