German thrash metal veterans EXUMER have released an official video for “Blinding Skies,” a track from their newly released sixth studio album, Death Mask Messiah, available now through Metal Blade Records.
Built around a relentless barrage of riffs, “Blinding Skies” tackles political overreach, prolonged conflict and the influence of the military-industrial complex.
“Driven by a relentless barrage of riffs, the song’s lyrical content highlights the consequences of political overreach and the influence of the military-industrial complex — pushing society into prolonged conflict that benefits a few at the expense of many,” explains co-founding vocalist Mem V. Stein. “It’s a perspective we feel is important to highlight, given the platform we have and the current climate.”
Watch EXUMER’s “Blinding Skies” video:
Death Mask Messiah marks EXUMER’s first new studio album in seven years and follows 2019’s Hostile Defiance. Its 11 tracks find the German thrashers taking a more brutal and direct approach while maintaining the aggression that has characterized the band throughout its four-decade history.
Produced by Dominic Paraskevopoulos (Kreator, Caliban) and mixed and mastered by Arthur Rizk (Soulfly, King Diamond), the album was recorded between December 2025 and January 2026.
The record also marks EXUMER’s first full-length featuring drummer Jerome Reil and bassist Alex Voss.
“You can feel their young energy, coupled with our trademark aggression and experience,” Stein says. “The band sounds more focused and yet raw, thanks to their addition to the lineup.”
Lyrically, Death Mask Messiah draws inspiration from political and social turmoil in the United States over the past decade, including misinformation, cultural division and the pandemic. Stein also looked toward the 1993 Branch Davidian standoff in Waco, Texas, and the manipulation of followers by David Koresh while developing the album’s overarching themes.
“David Koresh was a false prophet and wore a death mask, manipulating and leading his followers to certain death,” Stein explains. “Each song picks up an individual theme of these two strains of thought.”
The album closes with a cover of Nasty Savage’s “Unchained Angel,” featuring guest vocals from Nasty Savage frontman Nasty Ronnie Galletti. The collaboration also reconnects the two bands nearly four decades after EXUMER supported Nasty Savage on their first European tour in 1988.
Death Mask Messiah Track Listing
- Death Mask Messiah
- Blinding Skies
- Sin Bleeder
- Eradication
- Ravishing Waste
- Allocated Savagery
- Serpent
- Fratricide
- Scorcher
- Frozen Ground
- Unchained Angel
Death Mask Messiah is available now digitally, on CD digipak and in multiple vinyl variants through Metal Blade Records. Preview/purchase the record at metalblade.com/exumer
EXUMER lineup
Mem V. Stein — vocals
Ray Mensh — guitars
Marc B. — guitars
Alex Voss — bass
Jerome Reil — drums