Icelandic retro-fueled prog rock trio The Vintage Caravan have announced their return with their sixth studio album, entitled “Portals”, set for release on September 26th, 2025, via Napalm Records!
“We proudly present our sixth studio album, ‘Portals’. It’s our most diverse, dynamic, experimental album and in our opinion, our best effort yet”, the band states. “‘Portals’ was recorded at Arda Recorders in Porto, Portugal in October 2024 with Axel ‘Flexi’ Árnason, with whom we worked on ‘Voyage’ (2012), ‘Arrival’ (2015) and the ‘Monuments Tour’ (2023). This is the first time we recorded on tape and we are so happy with the results. We feel that this time we really managed to capture our live energy. The title of the album is a nod to the city of Porto and connecting the songs are a series of interludes which we call ‘Portals’ that set the mood and bring you to the next track. We can’t wait for you to experience the journey that is ‘Portals’”!
Today, the charismatic band have released a music video for first album single “Riot”, a track dripping in the trademark The Vintage Caravan sound, rich in bluesy psychedelia infused with modern intensity and irresistible riffs.
Watch the official video for new single “Riot” below.
“‘Riot’ came to me in a dream. It’s the only time that has happened to me”, singer and guitarist Óskar Logi Águstsson reveals. “I woke up around 7 am humming the first two riffs and I really liked it and I thought to myself, ‘I’ll go back to sleep for a bit and then I’ll work on this’. Then I woke up again and I forgot the main riff, which was a bummer and I tried remembering the pattern all day until I gave up and went to bed, right as I was drifting off to sleep it came back to me! Thankfully!
The track is an energetic and heavy one. The lyrics were inspired by the 2024 riots in England. We were touring the country at the time, it was a very surreal thought to be possibly caught up in a Riot and I knew I wouldn’t do very well in that sort of situation, so that’s what inspired me to write the lyrics.
We hope you enjoy ‘Riot’ and remember, don’t start a riot, just listen to this tune instead”.
“Portals” is another testament to The Vintage Caravan’s endlessly creative, modern take on the psychedelic retro rock sound, cementing the band’s leading position in the scene. The band’s previous studio album, “Monuments”, hit #21 on the German charts, marking a milestone in their evolution, and the new offering – which also features a stunning guest performance by Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt on the soulful album opener “Philosopher” – continues to solidify The Vintage Caravan’s reputation as torchbearers of contemporary classic rock. Aside from their critically acclaimed releases, the band’s electrifying live performances have mesmerized audiences at major festivals such as Wacken Open Air and Hellfest, as well as on international tours both as headliners and as support for the likes of progressive metal giants Opeth.
“Portals” will be available on September 26, 2025 in the following formats:
• 1 CD Digipak
• 2LP Black Vinyl
• 2LP Solid Silver
• 2LP Splattered Milk / Black Orange
• 2LP Marbled Green Yellow Black
• Digital
Pre-order & pre-save “Portals” here.
Tracklist:
1. Philosopher (ft. Mikael Åkerfeldt)
2. Portal I
3. Days Go By
4. Portal II
5. Here You Come Again
6. Current
7. Give and Take
8. Portal III
9. Crossroads
10. Alone
11. Portal IV
12. Freedom
13. Riot
14. Electrified
15. Portal V
16. My Aurora
17. This Road
The Vintage Caravan will be celebrating the release of “Portals” with extensive headline tours in mainland Europe and the UK, announced for autumn 2025.
European & UK Tour Dates 2025:
25/09/2025 BE Brussels – Botanique
26/09/2025 FR Paris – Le Petit Bain
27/09/2025 NL Leeuwarden – Into The Void
28/09/2025 DE Hannover – Faust
29/09/2025 DE Berlin – Frannz
30/09/2025 DE Hamburg – St. Pauli Bahnhof
01/10/2025 DE Dortmund – Piano
02/10/2025 NL Tilburg – Hall Of Fame
03/10/2025 DE Cologne – Volta
04/10/2025 DE Karlsruhe – P8
05/10/2025 DE Pratteln – Up in Smoke Festival
07/10/2025 DE Tübingen – Sudhaus
08/10/2025 DE Bielefeld – Forum
09/10/2025 DE Jena – KuBa
10/10/2025 DE Aschaffenburg – Colos Saal
11/10/2025 DE Munich – Keep It Low Festival
12/10/2025 AT Vienna – Arena
25/10/2025 UK Margate – Margate Rock Festival, Margate
26/10/2025 UK London – Camden Assembly
27/10/2025 UK Brighton – Dust
28.10/2025 UK Southampton – The 1865
29/10/2025 UK Bristol – Exchange
30/10/2025 UK Birmingham – Mama Roux
31/10/2025 UK Newcastle – Think Tank
01/11/2025 UK Glasgow – Classic Grand
Get tickets here.
Line-up:
Stefán Ari Stefánsson – Drums, backing vocals, percussion
Óskar Logi Águstsson – Electric guitars, vocals, acoustic guitars, flute
Alexander Örn Númason – Bass guitars, backing vocals, synthesizers, Farfisa
Weblinks:
www.thevintagecaravan.eu
www.facebook.com/vintagecaravan
