Europe release their 12th album, Come This Madness, on 25th September via Silver Lining Music, in time for their Final Countdown 40th Anniversary Tour through the UK.
Ahead of that, and out now, is the hook-laden ‘The Cult of Ignorance’, the second track released as a single from the forthcoming studio album, their first in nine years.
As well as featuring Europe‘s lead vocalist Joey Tempest, guitarist John Norum, bass player John Levén, keyboard player Mic Michaeli and drummer Ian Haugland, the accompanying video by Patric Ullaeus showcases cameos from high-profile friends of the band.
Among those featured are renowned actress Malin Åkerman, former World No. 1 and multiple Grand Slam champion tennis player Stefan Edberg, astronaut Christer Fuglesang, The Hives‘ Howling Pelle, Opeth‘s Mikael Åkerfeldt and Fredrik Åkesson and E-Type, alongside many other notable personalities from the world of music, film, fashion, sports and science.
“I love this track! It’s a straightforward rock anthem with lyrics reflecting the times we live in, written slightly tongue in cheek,” says Europe‘s founding member and frontman Joey Tempest. “Mic (keyboards) came to me with this song idea while on tour in South America, I thought it was crazy good! We finished it together and it’s become a real banger! The title was inspired by a phrase coined by author and biochemist Isaac Asimov. It reflects some of the negative tendencies emerging in our world today, though it is written in a slightly light-hearted tone.”
The new album features special guests Tobias Forge (Ghost) and Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth) on backing vocals and was produced by acclaimed producer Tom Dalgety (Ghost, Rammstein, Pixies, The Cult, Opeth), who it is said became a true creative force throughout the process, deeply embedded in the band’s writing and recording, shaping the album’s sound from the ground up.
“It was a true pleasure working with Tom,” exclaimed Tempest. “He’s creative, musical and incredibly intuitive, he really became a sixth member of the band during the writing and recording of this album. We even invited him to co-write on some of the songs.”
To bring the project to its final stage and complete their vision, the band turned to one of rock’s most respected recording legends, Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Van Halen, Metallica, The Cult, Loverboy), to mix the record.
New single ‘The Cult of Ignorance’ follows in the wake of ‘One On One’, which is accompanied by a video featuring acclaimed actor Peter Stormare (Fargo, The Big Lebowski, Minority Report, Armageddon), also directed by Ullaeus.
“‘One On One’ is definitely one of my favourite tracks from the album,” said Joey Tempest. “The power and feel is fresh, but some of the melodies bring me back to where it all began. Lyrically, it’s perhaps not filled with as much escapism as early Europe. These lyrics automatically ended up being more of a reflection of the times we live in today. Ever since ‘One On One’ was just a demo, we’ve stayed with it… Never gave up on it, and elevated it to a place where it belongs: a high-flying, classic hard rock track.”
The aforementioned music video is set in a stark, cinematic environment. The video centres on a single character (battered, broken and emotionally exposed) brought to life in a powerful and deeply human performance by Peter Stormare.
“We always knew Peter loved rock music, and when his name came up it just felt right,” said Tempest. “We wanted to approach this from a different angle, something more stripped back and unexpected.”
Signalling a new chapter for Europe, on Come This Madness their intent was to channel tension, truth, and raw energy into a record that is said to feel both deeply personal and globally resonant.
Recorded at RMV Studio in Stockholm, Sweden, founded by ABBA‘s Benny Andersson and Ludvig Andersson, Come This Madness features the tracks: ‘One on One’, ‘The Cult of Ignorance’, ‘Come This Madness’, ‘This Time of Year’, ‘In a Different World’, ‘Scandinavian Eyes’, ‘Takin’ It Back’, ‘In the Absence of Grace’, ‘The Angels Must Have Flown’, ‘The Devil’s Back’ and ‘Nothing Can Follow This’.
Featuring artwork by Storm Studios (Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Muse), the album will be available on vinyl, CD and digital formats.
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
29 August, Stonedead Festival, Newark
30 September, SEC Armadillo, Glasgow
2 October, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton
3 October, Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, London
