(New Release)

Written by: Jake Beach 

Welsh rock band HIMALAYAS has premiered their gripping new single, “Surrender,” a track from their highly anticipated album, BAD STAR, set to be released on April 25th via Nettwerk. Fans can pre-order the album now.

Himalayas, a dynamic rock group hailing from Cardiff, Wales, has been making waves since their formation in 2015. The quartet, made up of Mike Griffiths on lead guitar and backing vocals, Joe Williams handling rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Louis Heaps on bass, and James Goulbourn behind the drums, is renowned for their high-energy live performances. Their music features captivating guitar riffs and infectious bass lines, all propelled by a powerful drumming foundation that promises to get audiences moving.

“Surrender” presents a dark, powerful rock sound that delves into themes of unwavering loyalty to individuals and organizations, promoting a critique of blind acceptance and the subsequent division it creates. The song encourages listeners to reflect on the lack of understanding between differing perspectives, highlighting the challenges of cooperation in pursuit of common goals.

Guitarist and principal songwriter Mike Griffiths commented on the track, stating, “’Surrender’ was one of the earliest songs we created for BAD STAR. Our aim was to craft something heavy and impactful while ensuring the music maintained a dynamic progression. Initially, it began with a collection of riffs that felt cohesive, but once we layered drums into the demo, the song gained a new, vibrant energy that influenced the flow of the guitar sections. The lyrics were designed to match the aggressive tone of the music and to interrogate the obstinacy of overly partisan thought.”

This release follows a series of successful singles from the forthcoming album, including “What If…?,” “Nothing Higher,” “Hung Up,” and “Cave Paintings,” the latter of which was featured in BBC Radio 1’s 2024 Big Hitters. HIMALAYAS was also recently spotlighted on the station’s Rock Show, promoting their prior single “Afterlife.”

BAD STAR marks a significant evolution for HIMALAYAS—comprised of Joe Williams (vocals/guitar), Mike Griffiths (guitar/vocals), Louis Heaps (bass), and James Goulbourn (drums)—as they explore a sound that transcends the indie-rock style of their earlier work, From Hell To Here (2023). The new material is influenced by iconic acts such as Queens Of The Stone Age, Radiohead, Royal Blood, and Foo Fighters.

The band collaborated with producer Pete Hutchings (known for his work with Royal Blood and Nothing But Thieves) to create an album boasting ten tracks filled with inventive yet catchy riffs, compelling rhythms, and a profound sense of sonic breadth.

Currently, HIMALAYAS is showcasing their music in the United States at SXSW, with their final performance at the British Music Embassy set for March 15th. They also have a busy festival schedule this year, including appearances at Y Not Festival and In It Together Festival in 2025. A UK headline tour is slated for this spring, with full tour dates to be announced.

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