Khemmis returns! Denver’s colossal heavy metal band is back with their massively anticipated fifth studio album, due out on June 12th, 2026, via Nuclear Blast Records. The self-titled album — the follow-up to 2021’s heralded “Deceiver” — represents Khemmis in their truest form: disciples of the riff. Adorned with artwork from Christopher Remmers and featuring eight tracks of unadulterated, monolithic metal, Khemmis is a celebration of heavy music, bound by the camaraderie and shared passion that was reignited during its recording.
Commenting on the impending album, guitarist/vocalist Ben Hutcherson states:
“We decided early in the songwriting process that we wanted to write a tight, high-energy album that retained the essential ‘Khemmis sound’ while also embodying the joy of creating, experiencing, and loving heavy metal. Ours have always been deeply personal songs born from tragedy and sorrow; while the songs on Khemmis are still undeniably dark—I don’t think we’re capable of writing ‘happy’ music nor can we disentangle our music from our own personal experiences—they are not mined from our suffering. Instead, this record is a celebration of the music world that has sustained us, both individually and collectively, and has also gifted us with community and a sense of meaning. In many ways, we have reconnected with the energy and excitement from our earliest days as a band, an unabashed desire to play loud, heavy music. That exuberance is infused with a profound sense of gratitude to be able to create art with each other and to share it with the world”.
Without further ado, Khemmis has revealed the album’s lead track and first single, “Invocation of the Dreamer”, which is accompanied by a music video directed by Frank Guerra. Watch the video below.
Adding about the new song, Hutcherson says:
“We knew that this song had to be the first single in much the same way we knew it had to be the album opener—it is an undeniable ripper. ‘Invocation of the Dreamer’ kicks the front door in, flips over your coffee table, and sets your living room on fire. It has everything you’d expect from a Khemmis song—big riffs, harmonized guitars, infectious vocal melodies—along with a slew of surprises, including blastbeats and a scorching bass break”.
“Khemmis” is available for pre-order here, including a ‘Deluxe Edition’ of the record offered by the band, which features exclusive extras—a behind-the-scenes photobook, an autographed promo photo, and more—directly from their website.
Tracklist:
1. Invocation of the Dreamer
2. Corpsebloom Garden
3. Grief’s Reverie
4. Beneath the Scythe
5. Gilded Chambers
6. Tomb of Roses
7. Carrion King
8. Benediction Tones
Khemmis will perform a special one-off show with Acid Bath in May before embarking on a headlining tour in early summer with support from Necrofier and Wretched, followed by an excursion with Monolord soon after. Tickets are available here.
US Tour Dates 2026:
May 16 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion*
June 19 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theater**
June 20 – Seattle, WA – Substation**
June 21 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater**
June 23 – Sacramento, CA – Starlet Room**
June 24 – Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone**
June 25 – Santa Cruz, CA – Felton Music Hall**
June 26 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room**
June 27 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick**
June 28 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy & Harriet’s**
June 30 – Phoenix, AZ – Nile Theater**
July 1 – Cottonwood, AZ – Queen B**
July 2 – Albuquerque, NM – Sister**
Aug 27 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall#
Aug 28 – Louisville, KY – Portal#
Aug 29 – Atlanta, GA – Garden Club#
Aug 30 – Asheville, NC – Eulogy#
Aug 31 – Columbia, SC – New Brookland Tavern#
Sep 2 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts#
Sep 3 – Brooklyn, NY – Elsewhere#
Sep 5 – Baltimore, MD – Labor Daze#
Sep 8 – Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups#
Sep 9 – Detroit, MI – Sanctuary#
Sep 10 – Indianapolis, IN – Black Circle#
* (w/ Acid Bath)
** (w/ Necrofier and Wretched)
# (w/ Monolord)
After eleven years of albums and global touring, Colorado’s Khemmis have cemented themselves as pillars of modern heavy metal. Yet as they approach their fifth full-length, the band found something newly vital: the simple joy of creating heavy music together. Formed with no expectations, the group’s longevity has become its foundation, with guitarist/vocalist Ben Hutcherson describing the band as a rare source of stability and camaraderie. Since their 2015 debut “Absolution”, followed by the acclaimed “Hunted”, “Desolation”, “Doomed Heavy Metal” MLP, and “Deceiver”, Khemmis have built a legacy of towering, spiritual doom that continues to resonate with fans worldwide.
Despite changes—including members relocating and bassist David Small joining in 2022—the band emerged more focused than ever. Recording again at Flatline Audio in Colorado, the lineup of Hutcherson, Phil Pendergast, Zach Coleman, and Small leaned into renewed trust and chemistry, with distance paradoxically strengthening their bond. The addition of Small invigorated the rhythm section and encouraged experimentation, while the band rediscovered the excitement that defined their early days. That renewed energy fueled a collaborative atmosphere rooted in confidence, inspiration, and the shared thrill of simply playing heavy metal.
The resulting self-titled album is both a celebration and reinvention: a conceptually framed ritual of heavy metal that moves from the pounding “Invocation of the Dreamer” to the climactic “Benediction Tones”, balancing galloping aggression with emotionally resonant anthems. The record embraces extremity, catharsis, and joy in equal measure, complemented by new visual direction from artist Christopher Remmers. Through lineup changes, distance, and a shifting world, Khemmis remain unshaken—leaning into the music that defines them. Their self-titled studio album arrives on June 12th, 2026, via Nuclear Blast, capturing the band in their truest and most energized form.
Weblinks:
khemmisdoom.com
www.facebook.com/khemmisdoom
