German gothic metal pioneers CREMATORY have released a new video single, “Blind”, offering a dark preview of their upcoming retrospective release:
English Hymns & Deutsche Hymnen, out May 15, 2026 via ROAR – A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music.
The release celebrates 35 years of CREMATORY’s career, spanning their evolution from early death metal roots into their signature blend of gothic, industrial, and melodic metal.
“Blind” — Dark, German-Language Bonus Track
The new single “Blind” appears as an exclusive bonus track on the Deutsche Hymnen edition of the album.
Frontman Felix Stass describes the track’s theme as:
“A world where hope dissolves and only shadows remain.”
The song leans heavily into:
• bleak, cinematic atmospheres
• industrial gothic textures
• German-language lyricism centered on emotional collapse and spiritual emptiness
A 3-Disc Career Retrospective
The upcoming Greatest Hits release is structured as a full bilingual anthology, including:
• English Hymns (career-defining English tracks)
• Deutsche Hymnen (German-language catalog highlights)
• Engulfed in Darkness Demo (early archival material)
Formats include:
• 3-CD deluxe edition
• Limited double vinyl editions (Neon Green + Turquoise variants)
35 Years of Gothic Metal Legacy
Formed in 1991 in Mannheim, Germany, CREMATORY helped shape the European gothic metal scene by merging:
• heavy riff-driven songwriting
• atmospheric keyboards
• industrial elements
• contrasting growled and clean vocals
Over the decades, their sound evolved but stayed anchored in themes of: pain, mortality, introspection, and emotional decay.
Extensive 2026 European Tour
To support the release, CREMATORY will embark on a wide European run, including stops at:
• Wacken Open Air (July 31, Germany)
• Metal festivals across Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic, and Germany
• Club shows and festival appearances throughout spring and summer 2026