Year : 2026 (High Roller Records Edition)
Style : Heavy Metal
Country : Germany
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 98 mb
Bio:
Kerrigan are one of the most promising newcomers from Germany playing traditional heavy metal from Freiburg Im Breisgau, Germany.The band was formed in Freiburg in 2019 by Bruno Schotten (guitars, bass) and Jonas Weber (vocals, guitars). The duo recorded a demo tape consisting of original compositions “Intruders”, “Force And Will” and “Heavy Metal 2020” plus a cover version of “Rest In Peace” by Wolf (UK). »Heavy Metal 2020« was later released by Fucking Kill Records on tape and vinyl (re-issued by High Roller).For their first full-length album »Bloodmoon«, Kerrigan inked a deal with High Roller Records. »Bloodmoon« was recorded with the help of session drummer Jonathan Döring, an old friend of the band, and received very favorable reviews in the metal press when it was released back in 2023. Together with Jakob on bass, Jonathan is now a regular member of Kerrigan.Three years after »Bloodmoon«, it’s time for the follow-up album by the name of »Wayfarer«.“Dreamy, melancholic and pretty versatile,” this is how guitarist and singer Jonas Weber describes the second Kerrigan album. For him, »Wayfarer« is more or less a direct continuation of »Bloodmoon«: “Regarding the songwriting, »Wayfarer« continues where »Bloodmoon« has left off. The idea for the song ‘Blood And Steel’, for example, dates back to the mixing phase of »Bloodmoon« at Iguana Studios, and the demo recordings of ‘Surrender‘ and ‘Wayfarer‘ developed parallel to the work on the first album.”“For me, the record is everything I love about bands from the eighties,” adds guitarist Bruno Schotten. “Songs, that are accessible but have so many interesting details that they never get boring. We said to ourselves: maybe it’s indeed time for a modern heavy metal classic, and I do hope that with songs like ‘The Ice Witch’ or ‘Blood And Steel’ we came one step closer to our aim. Furthermore, I’d say that »Wayfarer« is a very varied album. Apart from orthodox speed metal, you can find everything on there; even a happy, uplifting song like ‘Fighter’.”
Album:
Three years after Bloodmoon, Kerrigan return with their brand new album Wayfarer. Set to be released on March 27th 2026, the album showcases Kerrigan at their most confident and versatile yet — and might just be a step closer to a modern heavy metal classic.Oldschool heavy metal from Germany. Signed to High Roller Records.Well, it seems that the need for new music sensations never really settles down, therefore I am always in when it comes to new albums, whether be the return of a cult 80’s legend or a promising new act. KERRIGAN appeared a couple of years ago, and their debut album “Bloodmoon” which proved to be and interesting and enduring work of art, and since one (album) is not enough they are back with a new one.“Wayfarer” takes off where “Bloodmoon” finishes: Sharp riffing deeply rooted in the 80’s and the underground 90s combined with eerie somehow ghostly vocals, bet let be more specific. Kick off track “Torchbearer” starts with a harmonic lead reminding me of post 2000 RUNNING WILD (“Rogues en Vogue” era) while the song structure is closer to bands like HAUNT or early IN SOLITUDE. Following song “Asylum” is quicker, more power metalish while “Ice Witch” is mid-tempo, with a memorable chorus.The album progresses with songs that roam in that kind of music spectrum: “Blood and steel” is your mid-tempo, sing along 80’s “cheesy” metal anthem while the title track and “Dystopia” flirt with 90’s or early 00’s European power metal: influences from bands like CRYSTAL EYES, THE STORYTELLER or STRATOVARIUS pop up here and there, blended with more classic sounds of RUNNING WILD, HELLOWEEN and SCANNER (second album era).Musically, now, I believe that the guitar work is the strong part of the album: riffs are sharp, dominant and one of the key parts to KERRIGAN‘s sound, while the other part is the vocals: Weber‘s voice is quite unique, far from your usual high pitched metal vocalist. Down to earth somehow soft and expressive, its quite sentimental while the lack of power provides an otherworldly eerie atmosphere that I found thrilling.“Wayfarer” is not your usual metal album, and it shouldn’t be. In a world where eight out of ten albums, sounds exactly the same, this one strays off the beaten path towards a more demanding, elaborated sound. I found that quite a challenge for both the band and the listener.”Wayfarer” will be released on the 27th of March 2026 by High Roller Records and will be available on LP, CD, MC and Digital format.
Line Up:
Jonas Weber - Vocals, Guitars (2020-present) - See also: Lone Wanderer, Mundilfari
Bruno Schotten - Bass (2020-2023), Guitars (2020-present) - See also: Lone Wanderer
Jakob Zeblin - Bass (2025-present) - See also: Désespoir, Lone Wanderer
Jonathan Döring - Drums (2023-present)
Production:
All songs written and recorded by Kerrigan
Produced by Kerrigan & Christoph Brandes
Mixed and mastered at Iguana Studios
Released by High Roller Records
Artwork by Adam Burke
Tracklist:
01. Torchbearer
02. Asylum
03. The Ice Witch 05:48
04. Surrender 03:46
05. Wayfarer
06. Blood and Steel
07. Dystopia
08. Fighter 03:47
09. Red Light Tower
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
