HOLY WARS SHARE NEW ALBUM
Photo: Ana Massard
The Los Angeles-based hard rock powerhouse Holy Wars have officially unveiled their long-awaited sophomore album, Shadow Work/Light Work, now available through Pale Chord/Rise Records/BMG. Serving as the successor to their explosive late 2023 EP Cult Classic, this latest chapter showcases the band in their most expansive and grandiose form to date.
Shadow Work/Light Work unfolds as a poignant concept album centered on the complexities of grief and the journey of overcoming trauma. While the record sees the band returning to their more somber and vulnerable foundations, it simultaneously paves the way for a new era defined by hope, luminosity, and a definitive triumph over past tragedies. The album’s title serves as a bridge between the striking duality of light and shadow woven throughout the lyrics and themes. This contrast is mirrored in the music itself; the tracklist features the most punishingly heavy material of their career, balanced seamlessly with some of their most delicate, inspiring, and melodically lush arrangements, resulting in a body of work that remains remarkably cohesive.
To mark the album's debut, the group has also released a brand-new music video for the soaring, anthemic single ‘Kill the Light.’
The track ‘Kill The Light’ serves as a heartfelt apology to one's younger self—the version of us that still held faith in something greater. What begins as a depiction of emotional exhaustion gradually uncovers a more profound struggle: the quiet fading of identity within a society that measures worth through visibility. Co-penned by Josh Gilbert (Spiritbox), the song is an explosive, high-energy powerhouse characterized by soaring melodic hooks, sharp guitar riffs, and driving percussion, all layered with electronic textures. It stands as a fierce anthem for those craving genuine honesty in an era of superficiality.
Providing insight into the narrative core of the new record Shadow Work/Light Work, vocalist Kat Leon explains:
“The concept behind Shadow Work/Light Work is taking the grief and trauma of losing my parents ten years ago, and looking at how hard that has actually been for me. I have almost held onto that grief as armor for a long time, and at times have felt like I am owed some payoff for all of this pain. Then, after my sister passed away in 2024, it instantly brought me right back to that shadow mindset and darkness. However, instead of being trapped in it, I used it as a way of healing through writing. Ultimately, you have to confront the darkest parts of yourself, even the parts that you are unwilling to look at. Only then can you eventually find the light.”
Recorded in the legendary creative atmosphere of Joshua Tree, California, and produced by guitarist Nicholas Perez, the album is undeniably the band's most courageous and boundary-pushing effort yet. Reflecting on the sonic direction and creative goals of the project, Perez notes:
“We really wanted to not limit ourselves to something we have done in the past, and instead allow ourselves to do whatever we want to do. This time around, we aimed to make things sound bigger and more impactful, while also bringing that chills-inducing factor back to our band again.”
In a landscape where emotional numbness is common, Holy Wars invites the listener to experience every raw sensation throughout Shadow Work/Light Work. From the very first track, it is evident that the band has fully realized their potential, and their ascent to the top seems inevitable.
The last twelve months have marked a significant turning point for the group. They crossed the Atlantic for a series of major performances at renowned festivals across the UK and Europe, such as Rock im Park and Rock am Ring in Germany, Rock For People in the Czech Republic, and the iconic Download Festival in the UK. During this run, they also joined forces with nu-metal legends Kittie for several club dates. More recently, in September, Holy Wars shared the stage with Evanescence and Poppy for a special performance at the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
“You never truly learn who you are as an artist until you hit the road hard, and this past year gave us a ton of confidence and clarity going into the future of this band,” Leon states.
