Perturbator–the Paris-based composer/producer/multi-instrumentalist James Kent–as we speak introduced his new album Age of Aquarius, his debut for famend steel label Nuclear Blast Data, will likely be launched on October tenth, 2025. The album’s new single “Apocalypse Now,” a visceral, dance-ready anthem that includes lead vocals by Norwegian steel titan Kristoffer Rygg (Ulver), is out now alongside a fittingly epic video directed by David Fitt. Punitive kick drums and blasting synths dwell as much as the tune title, as Rygg’s chant feels relevant to being alive at any given second (“Apocalypse now! / There may be blood on the bottom / We’ve obtained bullets for everybody”). “’Apocalypse Now’ is a tune concerning the systematic destruction we trigger to our personal type. It’s our incapacity to get together with–and sometimes vilify–’the others.’ Thus accelerating the top of our methods of life via easy hubris and self validation,” Kent explains.
Director Fitt says of the video: “The lyrics of “Apocalypse Now” have made me surprise: what would the final struggle seem like? A coup? A struggle of all towards all? A nuclear struggle? Perhaps. Might be. However I noticed that what I might like to do, to look at, to occur, is a struggle of world leaders towards themselves. The struggle all of them dream of, however are too cowardly to struggle themselves. This may be the last word struggle, in my view. And that’s what I aimed to point out. After which we’re left questioning: what can be subsequent? What if ladies took cost? Would energy devour them too, ultimately? Are we doomed as a species? That’s what I’m wondering and need folks to surprise with me.” Age of Aquarius is now out there for pre-order.
Pre-order Age of Aquarius:
“Apocalypse Now” follows the album’s highly effective latest single “The Artwork of Struggle.” Later this yr, Perturbator will embark on a headlining tour of the UK and Europe—which sees him enjoying his largest venues so far—together with London, UK’s 02 Discussion board Kentish City and two nights at Paris’ La Bataclan; a full itinerary is listed beneath and tickets are on-sale now HERE.
On Age of Aquarius, Perturbator presents up a extra propulsive spin on his moody early work, showcasing his most assured, plainly lovely, and thematically refined music so far. The place his earlier album, 2021’s Lustful Sacraments, was about unhealthy habits and habit, his sixth LP–additionally that includes Alcest, Creator & Punisher and Greta Hyperlink–explores how individualism, battle, and struggle are interrelated and dominant societal forces. Each brutal and stylish, Age of Aquarius feels just like the musical equal of a scream into the existential void.
“The primary half of Age of Aquarius is all about battle. The misanthropy and violence that lays in all of us,” explains Kent. “The second a part of the album then talks about individualism. The understanding that group-thinking results in nowhere and having your individual free will is the one most important factor we now have in life.”
Perturbator’s ballistic, militaristic sound dovetails together with his thematic concentrate on human aggression, which manifests itself all through Age of Aquarius. “We have now this local weather these days of individuals getting divided over all the pieces,” Kent says. “Each debate is two-sided, very excessive, very warlike, and persons are very into group considering: ‘There’s this aspect of the battle, and there’s this aspect of the battle, and should you’re not on my aspect, you’re flawed.’” Bleak and blunt, sure, however expectedly so from an album that begins with “Apocalypse Now,” introducing Age of Aquarius’ themes in simply the proper manner: When have we, as a species, not been outlined by battle, violent and in any other case, arising from individualism?
Watch “Apocalypse Now” on YouTube:
Kent deliberately chooses very evocative tune titles since most of his tracks lack lyrics and primarily convey temper via instrumentals. “I like to think about each album as a film,” he says. “The tracks are all scenes from that one huge film.” Essentially the most brutal scene, then, is “The Artwork of Struggle,” which ranks amongst Kent’s hardest-hitting songs; its vivid, forceful manufacturing attests to the 2 and a half years he spent tirelessly mastering and elevating his signature type (he wrote, recorded, carried out, produced, and blended the report himself, minus the visitor vocals and lyrics). The observe embodies the very sound of going into battle, and it might properly be the album’s thesis. “It’s extra of struggle as an thought than a concrete occasion,” Kent says concerning the LP’s subject material. It’s no shock his distinct type of digital physique music (EBM)–constructed on a DNA of post-punk, goth, and techno influences–has extensively appealed to followers of latest wave, industrial, and steel alike (his latest collaborators and tourmates HEALTH are an apt comparability).
We would at all times be in battle as a species–with others and ourselves–however with Age of Aquarius, Kent supplies its incredible rating.
Age of Aquarius LP Tracklist:
2. Lunacy
3. Venus (Ft. Creator & Punisher)
4. The Glass Staircase
5. Hangover Sq.
7. twelfth Home
8. Girl Moon (Ft. Greta Hyperlink)
9. The Swimming Pool
10. Mors Ultima Ratio
12. Age of Aquarius (Ft. Alcest)
Perturbator Fall 2025 Tour Dates:
11/05 – Nantes, FR – Stereolux
11/06 – Lille, FR – Aeronef
11/07 – London, UK – O2 Discussion board Kentish City
11/08 – Manchester, UK – Damnation Competition
11/11 – Vienna, AT – Area
11/12 – Budapest, HU – Dürer Kert
11/13 – Prague, CZ – SaSaZu
11/14 – Berlin, DE – Huxleys
11/17 – Vilnius, LT – Loftas
11/19 – Helsinki, FI – Kulttuuritalo
11/21 – Stockholm, SE – Fallan
11/22 – Copenhagen, DK – The Gray Corridor
11/23 – Oslo, NO – Rockefeller
11/25 – Hamburg, DE – Gruenspan
11/26 – Nijmegen, NL – Doornroosje
11/27 – Brussels, BE – Ancienne Belgique
11/28 – Cologne, GE – Dwell Music Corridor
11/29 – Meisenthal, FR – La Boite Noire
12/01 – Munich, GE – Muffthalle
12/02 – Ljubljana, SO – Kino Siksa
12/03 – Milan, IT – Dwell Membership
12/04 – Lausanne, CH – Les Docks
12/05 – Paris, FR – Le Bataclan
12/06 – Paris, FR – Le Bataclan