German speed metal band CRUEL FORCE have unleashed a new music video for “Warlords”, the third single from their upcoming fourth full-length album, Haneda, set for international release on March 27 via Shadow Kingdom Records.
The track offers another glimpse into the band’s reinvigorated second era, one that leans deeper into classic speed metal roots while expanding their sonic and thematic scope.
A Return to Steel and Speed
Emerging in 2008 with their Into the Crypts… demo, Cruel Force quickly earned cult status in the underground with early releases like The Rise of Satanic Might (2010) and Under the Sign of the Moon (2011). After a period of silence, the band returned with renewed energy in recent years, culminating in 2023’s Dawn of the Axe, a record that marked a shift toward a purer, old-school speed metal sound.
With Haneda, the band continue down that path, embracing a raw, high-energy approach inspired by the “Jurassic period” of heavy metal, where power, grit, and authenticity reigned supreme.
Mysticism Meets Classic Metal Power
“Warlords” highlights the album’s expanded atmosphere, combining driving speed metal with epic, almost cinematic undertones. Across Haneda, Cruel Force craft a journey through mystical landscapes—from ancient temples to desert plains and shadowy jungles—creating a cohesive aesthetic that feels both classic and immersive.
The band themselves describe the sound as something akin to what Rainbow or Ronnie James Dio might have created if channeled through speed metal intensity. That fusion of neoclassical flair and thrashing aggression places the album at the crossroads of influences like Kreator and Iron Maiden.
Haneda Track Listing
- The Cross
- Whips-A-Swinging
- Savage Gods
- Sword of Iron
- Crystal Skull
- Warlords
- Black Talon
- Titan’s Awakening
- Haneda
With “Warlords” now revealed alongside previously released singles “Savage Gods” and “Whips-A-Swinging,” anticipation for Haneda continues to build. Cruel Force prove once again that their brand of speed metal remains as sharp and uncompromising as ever, rooted in tradition, yet driven by a renewed creative fire.