Los Angeles rock force Holy Wars are back with their hauntingly cinematic new single, “Ceremony” a towering, emotionally charged anthem that blurs the lines between devotion and self-erasure.

Built on pummelling guitar riffs, driving rhythms and pulsating synths, “Ceremony” unfolds like a storm gathering strength. Dynamic crescendos crash behind Kat Leon’s soaring, impassioned vocals, which feel as though they’re reaching beyond the clouds. Lyrically, the track meditates on sacrifice and surrender, quietly questioning the cost of giving everything away  including yourself.

Speaking about the new single, vocalist Kat Leon shares: “’Ceremony’ at its core is about the fantasy and fear of non-existence and the times I myself have not wanted to exist anymore. However, I want to provide a message of hope and more than anything, this song is about survivalism and a hope for a better life. We also touch on ceremonial references, including my own practice of candle magic. In the song I say ‘Wax in my veins, I’m candlelight’ and ultimately I want to drive the point home of owning your power and your weakness.”

“Ceremony” also arrives alongside the official announcement of Holy Wars’ highly anticipated sophomore album, Shadow Work/Light Work, due April 24th, 2026 via Pale Chord / Rise Records and BMG.

Following the 2023 EP Cult Classic, this new chapter finds the band operating at their most ambitious and grandiose yet. Produced by guitarist Nicholas Perez in the creatively fabled Joshua Tree, California, the album sees the band push beyond any previous sonic boundaries.

At its heart, Shadow Work/Light Work is a concept record exploring grief, trauma and healing. The album dives into darkness while ultimately reaching toward hope, triumph and light — a duality reflected in both its title and structure.

Leon opens up about the deeply personal inspiration behind the record: “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 armour 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.”

Musically, the record promises the heaviest material of Holy Wars’ career alongside their most tender, melodically rich compositions to date all while remaining cohesive. Perez explains: “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.”