UK metal band, Cage Fight – Rachel Aspe (vocals), James Monteith (guitar), Nick Plews (drums), and Will Horsman (bass) – will release their second studio album, “Exuvia”, on May 1st, 2026, via Spinefarm.
The announcement is paired with the release of a new single, “Un Bon Souvenir”. The rack is accompanied by a new video, available below.
Vocalist, Rachel Aspe, explains:
“Don’t bite the hand that feeds. This song is a reference to a previous experience in a band controlled by a toxic, manipulative person. It’s a reminder that bringing people down won’t elevate you. A challenging experience, but as he once said, it’s still a good memory, ça reste un bon souvenir”.
About the video, Aspe divulges:
“The video depicts the unraveling of the protagonist’s false world, built on manipulation and control. Though he initially appears strong, his convictions are fragile, revealed by his reliance on dark spiritual guidance for reassurance. Once seeming to be the rock of this world, he is exposed as a snake. This is the collapse of a false king”.
Recorded by Sam Bloor at Lower Lane Studios and mixed by Jim Pinder (Sleep Token, Malevolence), “Exuvia” retains the raw, old school hardcore heart of Cage Fight – vibrating with meaty grooves, pummeling rhythms, plus a wave of furious anger that feels like a punch to the gut. At the same time, it also explores more multi-layered terrains, atmospheres, and melodies, making Cage Fight sound bigger, tighter, and more epic than ever before.
Throughout the 11 pieces of music, the band proves they aren’t afraid to experiment… and have a bit of fun. A case in point is “Pick Your Fighter”, which features Julien Truchan from Benighted on guest vocals, and was inspired by a French pop song – “Et c’est parti…” by Nâdiya – though you’d never guess it from the song’s crushing heaviness.
The rest of the lyrics on “Exuvia” are written by Rachel – the first time she has expressed herself in this way, and the results are deeply personal, taking in anxiety, assault, and having to deal with grief. The expansive final track, “Élégie”, is about losing her grandfather, and the regret that can come from things left unsaid.
On “Pig”, meanwhile, she calls out the creepy men who send women unsolicited messages online, while the title track was inspired by her grandmother, who is currently battling cancer, and helped Rachel write the song’s lyrics.
The album’s cover art, shot by photographer Manuel Acquualeni, depicts a radiation mask, establishing a connection both to Rachel’s experience with her grandmother and to the album’s title – “Exuvia” can be defined as a cast-off skin or outer shell. It also represents healing, something Rachel feels she has achieved by opening up in the lyrics.
Pre-order & pre-save “Exuvia” here.
Tracklist:
1. Confined
2. Oxygen
3. Pig
4. Pick Your Fighter
5. Un Bon Souvenir
6. Deathstalker
7. Le Déni
8. Exuvia
9. The Hammer Crush
10. IHYG (I Hate Your Guts)
11. Élégie
12. Un Bon Souvenir (Single Version – Digital only)
Since their inception, the band has become known for its visceral, high-energy live performances. Already, they’ve toured with acts such as Sepultura and Cro-mags, supported the likes of Napalm Death and Employed To Serve, and played numerous festivals, including Summer Breeze and Bloodstock.
Next, they head out on a UK tour with Employed To Serve.
UK Tour Dates 2026:
20-Mar – Shipley @ Kirkgate Community Centre
21-Mar – Edinburgh @ Mash House
22-Mar – Newcastle @ ThinkTank
23-Mar – Sheffield @ Yellow Arch
24-Mar – Norwich @ The Waterfront Studio
25-Mar – Milton Keynes @ The Craufurd Arms
26-Mar – Wolverhampton @ KK’s Steel Mill
27-Mar – Southampton @ The Joiners
28-Mar – Cardiff @ Clwd Ifor Bach
Festivals 2026:
02 May – Dark Reign, UK
27 Jun – Basinfire Festival, CZ
26 Jul – Mozhell Open Air, FR
31 Jul – Radar Festival, UK
01 Aug – Xtreme Fest, FR
02 Aug – Sylak Festival, FR
14 Aug – Motocultor Festival, FR
21 Aug – Furiosfest, FR
Line-up:
Rachel Aspe – Vocals
James Monteith – Guitar
Will Horsman – Bass
Nick Plews – Drums
