HATEBREED vocalist Jamey Jasta has offered a characteristically blunt preview of the band's upcoming studio album: "This is our most ignorant, heavy, caveman-esque record yet. We really just went back to basics and played on all our strengths."
Speaking with Mark "Elwood" Mailler, Jasta confirmed the Connecticut hardcore/metal veterans are weeks away from having the album fully wrapped. The fall 2026 release will be a landmark for the band: it is the first HATEBREED record made with complete creative independence. "We had full creative control, which is amazing, for the first time ever," Jasta said, adding that a label deal would be announced imminently.
Drummer Matt Byrne reinforced the direction: "This new material is way thrashier. There is still the hardcore punk vibe, but the new stuff is way more metal, fast, SLAYER-esque. It's definitely the heaviest stuff we've written to date." Guitarist Frank Novinec confirmed most of the album is already done, with standalone singles potentially dropping ahead of the full release.
The album also signals an outward-looking touring strategy. After years focused on North American shows, HATEBREED plan to bring the new material to Australia, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe — markets the band admits have been neglected. The band will first headline the 2026 "Summer Slaughter" tour alongside DEVOURMENT and INCANTATION.
Guitarist Wayne Lozinak, who made his return to live shows at Aftershock in October 2025 after surgery for a benign brain tumor, is expected to appear on the new record. The band's previous single "Make The Demons Obey" was their first new material in nearly five years.