Dave Vanian Leads The Damned to New Heights with DARKADELIC Release

Nearly five decades after the release of their groundbreaking debut album, Damned Damned Damned, British punk rock icons The Damned return with DARKADELIC, their first studio album since 2018’s UK top 10 charting Evil Spirits. The new album follows the success of their 2022 live release A Night of a Thousand Vampires, which reached #1 on the UK charts.

DARKADELIC sees the band, consisting of Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Paul Gray, Monty Oxymoron, and new addition William Granville-Taylor on drums, evolve and expand upon their unique sound. The album showcases some of The Damned’s most creative songwriting and genre-bending performances to date.

Fans have already embraced three new tracks from the album – ‘The Invisible Man’, ‘Beware of the Clown’, and ‘You’re Gonna Realise’ – which were road-tested during the band’s recent European and UK tours.

Critics are praising The Damned’s foray into this new DARKADELIC realm, with Classic Pop describing the album as “an eclectic grab bag of horror-pop, garage-punk, glam and psychedelic rock.” Vive le Rock hails it as “some of their finest recorded performances,” and MOJO calls it a “late-era joyride full of grace and power.”

Formed in 1976, The Damned remains one of the most influential bands to emerge from the British punk rock scene. Their 12 studio albums and numerous UK chart singles have earned them a dedicated global fan base, supported by their legendary live performances. With their dark lyrics and David Vanian’s rich baritone vocals, The Damned have also become pioneers in the Goth-Rock genre.

DARKADELIC is available in various formats, including CD Digipak, 1LP Black Vinyl (Gatefold, 180g), Ltd. 1LP Transparent Vinyl with a DARKADELIC Slipmat (Gatefold, 180g), and digital download. Exclusive merchandise, such as lava lamps, t-shirts, and tote bags, can be found at the official DARKADELIC D2C shop.