German gothic metal band Crematory have announced the release of a comprehensive Greatest Hits collection celebrating 35 years of the band’s influential career. The compilation, titled Greatest Hits – English Hymns & Deutsche Hymnen, will arrive May 15, 2026 via ROAR, a division of Reigning Phoenix Music.
Alongside the announcement, the band has released a brand-new video for the single “Born”, a powerful track built around the haunting refrain “I was born in a wrong time / wrong world.”
Watch the Video for “Born”
A 35-Year Retrospective
The upcoming release will be available as an expansive three-CD edition as well as limited double-vinyl pressings.
The 3-CD version includes:
- CD1 – English Hymns
- CD2 – Deutsche Hymnen
- CD3 – Engulfed in Darkness Demo, featuring early recordings from the band’s formative years
Vinyl collectors will also have several options, including:
- Neon Green double vinyl – English Hymns
- Turquoise double vinyl – Deutsche Hymnen
The Meaning Behind “Born””
Frontman Felix Stass explains the emotional core of the new track:
“Born is about feeling out of place in your own time and world. It’s for everyone who has ever felt they don’t belong — yet keeps standing.”
Driven by heavy guitar riffs, atmospheric synth layers, and Crematory’s signature blend of harsh and melodic vocals, the song captures the introspective themes that have defined the band’s music for decades.
Formed in Mannheim, Germany in 1991, Crematory began as a death metal band before evolving into one of Europe’s most recognizable gothic metal acts. Over the years, the band developed a distinctive sound blending:
- heavy riffs
- melodic keyboards
- industrial textures
- a dual vocal approach combining growls and clean singing
Through relentless touring and festival appearances during the 1990s and beyond, Crematory built a dedicated following across the European metal scene.
The upcoming compilation reflects the band’s unique bilingual legacy, collecting key songs from their catalog in both English and German while also including rare early material.
Crematory lineup
- Felix Stass – vocals
- Rolf Munkes – guitar
- Oliver Revilo – bass
- Katrin Jüllich – keyboards, samples
- Markus Jüllich – drums, programming
With more than three decades of music, touring, and evolution, Greatest Hits – English Hymns & Deutsche Hymnen stands as both a celebration of Crematory’s legacy and a reminder that the pioneers of German gothic metal remain as vital and atmospheric as ever.