British extreme metal band VISCERA have announced their third studio album, Hunting Season, scheduled for release on February 12, 2027, through Unique Leader Records. The ten-track record features guest appearances from members of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, TRIVIUM, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, CABAL, and DISTANT, among others.
Alongside the announcement, the band has released the first single, “Merciless By Nature,” accompanied by an official music video.
The upcoming album follows Obsidian and the band’s second full-length, continuing their combination of extreme metal influences while placing greater emphasis on the energy of their live performances.
“Merciless By Nature” examines tribalism and misinformation
The album’s first single addresses the influence of misinformation, social division, and group mentality on individual behavior.
According to VISCERA, “Merciless By Nature” explores how tribalism can influence people’s thoughts and actions without sufficient consideration of the consequences.
The band commented:
“Misinformation, cancel culture and hedonism. This is about the dangers of tribalism.”
Musically, the group draws comparisons between the new track and material from its debut album, Obsidian, while describing the latest recording as having a rawer approach.
The accompanying music video provides the first visual preview of Hunting Season.
Guest appearances from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, TRIVIUM and more
Hunting Season includes several guest vocal performances from musicians across the contemporary metal scene.
Jesse Leach of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE appears on “In The Belly Of The Beast,” while TRIVIUM frontman Matt Heafy contributes to “The Lie That Sets You Free.”
Joe Bad of FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY and SPITTING GLASS appears on “Hivemind.”
The album’s title track features Alan Grnja of DISTANT and Andreas Bjulver of CABAL, while John Centorrino, formerly associated with CRYSTAL LAKE and THE LAST TEN SECONDS OF LIFE, contributes to “Moongazer.”
These collaborations bring together vocalists from different corners of modern extreme metal, reflecting the broader range of influences the band incorporated into the record.
Recorded to capture the band’s live energy
VISCERA recorded Hunting Season at The Arch Studios with Andy Mallaby of OSIAH.
The band deliberately chose a large live recording room to capture the energy of their performances rather than relying on a heavily isolated studio approach.
Vocals were recorded in single takes, with the intention of preserving the immediacy and intensity of each performance.
Christian Donaldson, whose credits include DESPISED ICON and SHADOW OF INTENT, handled mixing and mastering.
The resulting ten compositions emphasize low-end instrumentation, heavy guitar arrangements, and a more direct production approach.
Discussing the album, VISCERA explained that they wanted to create material specifically suited to live performances while establishing a musical direction for future releases.
“We set out to make an album that would set the standard for what we want to build on with future offerings, one that would define our sound as a band.”
The band also noted that their collective influences are more prominent throughout Hunting Season than on their previous two albums.
Hunting Season explores fear, violence and social division
The album’s central lyrical themes revolve around fear, misinformation, tribalism, and the consequences of social instability.
According to VISCERA, the concept examines how groups can be manipulated through misleading information and how collective behavior can escalate into hostility and violence.
The band uses the imagery of hornets and a hive to represent the dangers of group mentality.
This concept extends to the album’s artwork, created by Shindy Reehal of Shindy Design.
The group explained:
“The album’s central theme is fear and misinformation.”
The songs also examine personal struggles with identity and belonging in an increasingly divided social environment.
The title Hunting Season refers to the ease with which large groups can be influenced by misinformation and the resulting consequences for individuals and communities.
Hunting Season Tracklist
- Delilah II: The Eternal Flame
- In The Belly Of The Beast (feat. Jesse Leach)
- Horror Has a Face
- Death’s Kiss
- Killbox
- The Lie That Sets You Free (feat. Matt Heafy)
- Hivemind (feat. Joe Bad)
- Merciless By Nature
- Hunting Season (feat. Alan Grnja & Andreas Bjulver)
- Moongazer (feat. John Centorrino)
VISCERA Lineup
- Jamie Graham: Vocals
- Charlie Michael: Guitar
- Adam Bell: Guitar
- Chris Keepin: Bass
- Danny Yates: Drums
Continuing the band’s development
Formed in 2018, VISCERA have established a touring history alongside bands including LORNA SHORE, DESPISED ICON, DECAPITATED, INGESTED, DISTANT, OCEANO, and CABAL.
The upcoming album represents the band’s third full-length release and continues their work with Unique Leader Records.
With its guest collaborations, live-focused recording approach, and lyrical examination of contemporary social behavior, Hunting Season introduces the next chapter in the band’s catalog.
Hunting Season will be released February 12, 2027, through Unique Leader Records. The official video for “Merciless By Nature” is available now, and album preorders are open.