Bay Area thrash icons Heathen will release their new album, Lifetime in Hell, on 19 February 2027 via Napalm Records. They have shared the first single, ‘Escapegoat’, with an official video.
Lifetime in Hell is the band’s first full-length since 2020’s Empire of the Blind. It was produced by Zeuss (Municipal Waste, Hatebreed, Shadows Fall), with drums by Jason Bittner. Jeff Loomis guests on ‘Glass House’.
Vocalist David White said: “Our goal was to make the greatest HEATHEN album to date, and we can’t wait to hear your response!”
Guitarist Kragen Lum explained the idea behind the single: “We look for every opportunity to escape: to disappear into doom scrolling, binge watching, gaming, drugs, alcohol, and anything else that gives us a momentary release from the weight of reality… Just one more distraction. Just one more escape. Just one last mistake. We are the ‘Escapegoat.'”
Heathen formed in 1984 and led the Bay Area scene in its early years. Breaking the Silence (1987) and Victims of Deception (1991) are still West Coast metal staples. Their albums have been rare since they returned in 2001, so a new one is a big deal. If ‘Escapegoat’ is any guide, with its “Let’s go!” rallying cry and two-step riffing, this one could be up there with their best.
UK fans won’t have long to wait after release day. Heathen play five UK dates in March with Evil Invaders, as part of a European tour alongside Exhorder.
UK tour 2027
- 23 March: Bristol, The Fleece
- 24 March: Birmingham, The Castle & Falcon
- 25 March: Glasgow, Audio
- 26 March: Manchester, Academy 2
- 27 March: London, Underworld
