BLACK ROYAL | Finnish Death-Sludge Quartet Return with New Single ‘WATER OF THE CROW’

Following the success of their previous LP, Earthbound, the Finnish sludge metal savants join forces with M-Theory Audio for another descent into the darker realms of heavy music…

Marking their first new material since the critically acclaimed 2022 full-length Earthbound, Finnish death-sludge powerhouse Black Royal return with their crushing new single, ‘Water of the Crow’, out now on all good streaming platforms.

With a new studio album set for release later this autumn via M-Theory Audio, the band continue to deliver a devastating blend of sludge and the icy ferocity of Scandinavian death metal. Refining their signature sound into something both punishing and immersive – often likened to a fistfight between Crowbar and Entombed, with Behemoth and Mastodon waiting in the wings – Black Royal unleash a sonic assault that is as atmospheric as it is unrelenting.

Formed in Tampere, Finland in 2013, the band has steadily built a reputation as one of the country’s most formidable heavy acts. Following two early EPs, their 2018 debut Lightbringer earned widespread acclaim, landing on multiple year-end lists and praised for its “giant riffs and primal groove.” Their sophomore album Firebride (2020) further sharpened their identity, combining suffocating heaviness with memorable hooks and dynamic songwriting. While Earthbound (2022), their first partnership with M-Theory Audio, the band reached new heights, delivering a confident, cohesive record that balanced aggression with melody and showcased their continued evolution.

New single ‘Water of the Crow’ goes beyond sheer heaviness, offering a conceptual dive into the ancient folklore of Lapland. Drawing from the Sámi myth of the Saivo – bottomless lakes believed to house powerful water spirits – the track explores themes of ritual, nature, and humanity’s connection to unseen forces.

“When watching the currents moving in deep waters, something awakens in the primitive parts of modern man’s consciousness,” the band explain. “Only a healer or a soothsayer was allowed to take the water, and the spirit demanded a metal offering first. The spirit itself was not human—it existed within the water, as its essence and protector.”

Atmospheric, heavy, and steeped in myth, the single is accompanied by a striking music video created by Markus Vähäaho (RAW•ART Creations), featuring additional footage by Tanja Eronen. To capture the song’s raw intensity, the band returned to Studio Watercastle with producer Arttu Sarvanne (Immortal Souls, Silentium, Enter My Silence), with mixing handled by Jussi Kulomaa (Dreamtale, A.R.G.) at Metal Mixing and mastering by Jaakko Viitalähde (Blind Guardian, Oranssi Pazuzu, Xysma) at Virtalähde Mastering.

As Black Royal step into their next chapter – pushing deeper into darker, more atmospheric territory while expanding their already formidable sonic palette – their as-yet-untitled new album is expected later this year, with more details to be revealed in the coming months.

Stream new single ‘Water of the Crow’ here

“Black Royal make some pretty gnarly sludge n’ roll. It’s reminiscent of Entombed, a combination of roaring death metal with a Motorhead groove.” METALSUCKS

“Are you ready to give props to Black Royal for bringing a storm of heavy riffs? You should be because this is a sonic volcanic eruption of molten sludge.” CVLT NATION

Photo by Markus Vähäaho