Austrian death metal band GRIMMING have announced their debut full-length album, Jagatod, scheduled for release on March 26, 2027, through Napalm Records. Alongside the announcement, the band has released the first single, “Pankh,” accompanied by an official music video.
Named after a mountain in Austria, GRIMMING draw inspiration from the history, folklore, and traditions of Styria. The upcoming concept album is written entirely in the band’s native Styrian dialect and explores historical tragedies, rural life, and the hardships faced by communities in the Alpine region.
“Pankh” examines the Styrian witch trials
The album’s first single, “Pankh,” addresses the witch trials that took place in Austria between the 16th and 18th centuries.
The song focuses on a torture device known as the Pankh, described by the band as a chair allegedly used during interrogations in Styria.
According to GRIMMING, the device represented the third and final degree of torture in the region and remained in use until the 1720s.
The band explained:
“‘Pankh’ was one of the first songs we wrote for GRIMMING and therefore also for Jagatod.”
The musicians described the track as a representative introduction to the album’s musical direction, combining death metal aggression with dynamic arrangements.
The accompanying music video introduces the darker historical subjects explored throughout Jagatod.
Jagatod explores Styrian history and Alpine folklore
The title Jagatod, translated as “hunter’s death,” reflects the album’s focus on the difficult realities of life in the Austrian Alps.
The record is divided into two thematic sections, beginning with historical events and continuing with individual stories drawn from more recent Styrian history and folk culture.
“Zwoa Joah,” meaning “two years,” examines the events surrounding 1816, known as the Year Without a Summer, when unusually cold weather contributed to crop failures and food shortages across Europe.
“Pesthigl” addresses the Black Death pandemic of the 14th century, while “Stodlbrond” recounts a barn fire that leaves a farmer without his family and property.
Other tracks explore the demanding work of Alpine communities, including “Hoizara,” which focuses on the life of a woodcutter, and “Lahn,” inspired by an avalanche.
The previously released “Wüdschitz” and the album’s title track form a connected narrative about a man driven to poaching by famine, whose struggle for survival ends tragically.
The closing song, “Sennerwahn,” examines a phenomenon described in Alpine folk medicine involving psychological distress and isolation among shepherds working in remote mountain environments.
GRIMMING combine death metal with regional storytelling
Although GRIMMING initially intended to draw heavily from traditional Florida death metal, the band’s songwriting developed toward a combination of melodic passages, groove-oriented rhythms, midtempo sections, and elements of black metal.
Discussing the album, the band stated:
“The lyrics are in our first language, Styrian dialect.”
They explained that the decision to concentrate on Styrian and Alpine history was intended to draw attention to the lives and suffering of earlier generations living in the mountains.
Before announcing their debut album, GRIMMING released material including “Lindwurm” and “Wüdschitz.” Those early recordings helped the band secure performances supporting Ukrainian blackened death metal group 1914 and an appearance at Ragnarök Festival.
Jagatod Tracklist
- Alpensymphonie
- Pankh
- Zwoa Joah
- Pesthigl
- Stodlbrond
- Hoizara
- Lahn
- Wüdschitz
- Jagatod
- Sennerwahn
- Lindwurm (remastered, physical editions)
Physical editions and upcoming performances
Jagatod will be available digitally, on digipak CD, and in several vinyl configurations.
Limited editions include a glow-in-the-dark white and silver splatter LP restricted to 200 copies, a hand-numbered test pressing limited to 30 copies, and special solid verde vinyl and CD editions.
GRIMMING are also scheduled to perform at Rocky Mountain Festival in Austria in November 2026, followed by appearances at Bullhead Festival in Switzerland, Metal Frenzy Open Air in Germany, and Party.San Open Air in 2027.
GRIMMING Lineup
- Samuel Dukic: Vocals, guitar
- Martin Peer: Guitar
- Aron Dukic: Drums
- Tobias Kaindlbauer: Bass
Jagatod will be released March 26, 2027, through Napalm Records. The official music video for “Pankh” is available now, and album preorders are open.