Holy Wars share music video for ‘Kill The Light’

Los Angeles-based hard rock outfit Holy Wars have released their highly anticipated sophomore album “Shadow Work/Light Work”, out now via Pale Chord/Rise Records/BMG. This new chapter follows the band’s incendiary late 2023 EP Cult Classic, and finds the band at their most grandiose form yet.

“Shadow Work/Light Work” is a concept record on grief and overcoming trauma, while returning to the band’s darker and more vulnerable roots and ushering in a new era of hope, light, and ultimately triumph over tragedy. The album title represents a powerful duality of light and dark within the record, both lyrically and thematically. This also extends to the sonic nature of the record, with tracks spanning the heaviest material of their career to date, paired equally with some of their most tender, uplifting, and melodically rich compositions yet, all while remaining entirely cohesive.

Additionally, the band has shared a brand new music video for the anthemic track “Kill the Light.” 

“Kill The Light” is an apology to the younger self, the one who believed in something better. What starts as emotional burnout reveals something deeper, the slow erosion of identity in a culture where visibility defines value. Co-written by Josh Gilbert (Spiritbox), “Kill The Light” is an incendiary barn burner of a track with soaring melodic choruses, snappy guitar riffs, electronic flourishes, and uptempo drums providing a blistering anthem for those who seek authenticity and honesty in a world of imitation.

Speaking on the backstory and lyrical themes behind their new album “Shadow Work/Light Work”, vocalist Kat Leon shares:

“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.”

Produced by guitarist Nicholas Perez in the creatively fabled town of Joshua Tree, California, the result is undoubtedly their most ambitious and genre-defining work to date. Speaking on the mission statement, production, and sound of their adventurous new album, guitarist and producer Nicholas Perez shares:

“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 world where it is often easy to become numb, Holy Wars want you to feel everything on “Shadow Work/Light Work”, and upon the first listen, it will be clear that Holy Wars have finally arrived, and it is only a matter of time before they reach the stratosphere.

Shadow Work/Light Work tracklisting:

Side A: Shadow Work
1. O Death
2. I Feel Everything
3. Shadowalker
4. Crucify
5. Skin Deep
6. I.F.O.Y.G.

Side B: Light Work
7. Proof of Existence
8. Kill The Light
9. Ceremony
10. Everything You
11. Holy Unholy
12. Metamorphosis

This past year has been a crucial level up for Holy Wars, who embarked on an epic trip across the pond to perform a series of high-profile sets at massive festivals in both the UK and EU, including Rock im Park and Rock am Ring in Germany, Rock For People in the Czech Republic, as well as Download Festival in the UK. Additionally, the band supported nu metal pioneers Kittie for a string of club shows in the EU and UK in tandem with their festival appearances. This past September, Holy Wars joined forces with Evanescence for a one-off show at the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, alongside alternative metal artist Poppy.

“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.

In January 2026, Holy Wars set sail on ShipRocked alongside Halestorm, Motionless In White, Knocked Loose, and recent tourmates Kittie, amongst many others. This summer, Holy Wars will also be performing at the 2026 iteration of Warped Tour in Long Beach, Washington, D.C., and Orlando, as well as appearing at Louder Than Life Festival this September.

Stay tuned for more exciting announcements from Holy Wars, as the band will be revealing more tour dates and festival appearances in the coming weeks.