French progressive rock powerhouse Lalu are excited to announce that their upcoming new studio album, “A Mythmaker’s Demise”, will be out on July 31st, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.
The first single and accompanying visualizer video, “Prince With the Swift Warning”, are available now, giving a taste of the sound of the upcoming record.
Vivien Lalu described the single by saying: “The first single, ‘Prince With The Swift Warning’, is inspired by “Watership Down”, one of Martin LeMar’s favorite animated films. The track reflects its themes of exile and survival, unfolding as a journey toward a safer place, carried by strong melodies and a driving progressive feel”.
Watch the official visualizer for “Prince With the Swift Warning” below.
Lalu returns with “A Mythmaker’s Demise”, a milestone release celebrating the 20th anniversary of Vivien Lalu’s progressive rock project. What began in 2005 with “Oniric Metal” now comes full circle – this is not just a new album, but a bold tribute to legacy, craftsmanship, and artistic brotherhood.
To mark the occasion, Lalu reunites with vocalist Martin LeMar (Nachtgeschrei, Mekong Delta), whose voice first defined the project. LeMar contributes powerful performances and lyricism that bridge past and present. Also making a triumphant return is drumming legend Simon Phillips (ex-Toto, Protocol), the very first drummer to record the earliest Lalu track, “Paint the Sky”.
Continuing the collaborative spirit ignited in 2023’s “The Fish Who Wanted to Be King”, Vivien Lalu teams up once again with longtime partner Joop Wolters on guitars and bass. The duo crafted the songs from the ground up, focusing on organic, dynamic arrangements with no overproduction – just raw, honest performances.
“We wanted this record to feel alive. No drum samples, next to no EQ, just real performances captured in their natural state”, explained Vivien Lalu.
Guitarist Joop Wolters added: “There has always been undeniable musical synergy between Viv and myself. This album came together very naturally, and locking in with the real, unedited live drums by Simon Phillips in the final stages was the icing on the cake. It truly feels like a real band, just like back in the good old days”.
The album was mixed to preserve a live, open sound, capturing the human energy of each take. A key guest appearance comes from keyboard virtuoso Jens Johansson (Stratovarius, Yngwie Malmsteen), who delivers explosive solos across three tracks. His presence carries particular significance, having been one of Vivien’s earliest influences and a contributor to both “Atomic Ark” and “Paint the Sky”.
The evocative title “A Mythmaker’s Demise” reflects on the fading light of human imagination in the age of artificial intelligence. The striking artwork by Mattias Norén portrays a writer dying at his desk, while his creations struggle to escape into a world that no longer values them – a visual metaphor for the album’s deeper message.
“A Mythmaker’s Demise” isn’t just an album – it’s a time capsule of progressive rock’s soul, 20 years in the making.
Pre-order & pre-save “A Mythmaker’s Demise” here.
Tracklist:
1. Tears of the Muse
2. EKO
3. I Am the One
4. Mayacama (Instrumental)
5. Prince With the Swift Warning
6. Learning to Fly
7. A Drop of Water (Instrumental)
8. Fhloston Paradise
9. Cordal Weaves
10. Midnight Ink
Line-up:
Vivien Lalu – Keyboards
Joop Wolters – Guitars, bass
Martin LeMar – Vocals
Simon Phillips – Drums
Weblinks:
www.vivienlalu.com
www.facebook.com/vivlalu
