Galibot unveil new single ‘Pénitent’ ahead of upcoming album ‘Catabase’

Northern French melodic black metal collective Galibot have shared a new single and video, “Pénitent”, offering a first deep descent into their upcoming second full-length album Catabase, set for release on May 8 via Les Acteurs de l’Ombre Productions.

The track recently premiered alongside an official music video and is now available to experience in full. With “Pénitent”, the band once again draws heavily from the mining history that shapes both their identity and artistic vision.

The song portrays the dangerous work of elite miners tasked with igniting pockets of firedamp gas deep underground. Sent alone into unstable tunnels, dressed only in water-soaked clothing for minimal protection, these workers crawled forward carrying a torch to burn away the deadly gas. Both heroic and tragic, this figure inspired a composition that balances brutality and melancholy — a fitting representation of Galibot’s atmospheric and emotionally charged approach to black metal.

Following their debut album Euch’Mau Noir (2024), Galibot expand their conceptual universe with Catabase, an album rooted in the mythological idea of the hero’s descent into the underworld. For Galibot, that underworld is the mine itself — an infernal space into which generations of workers descended, often never to return.

Structured in two parts, the new record continues exploring the harsh identity of Northern France while broadening its scope beyond the mines. Through regional history, folklore, landscapes and spiritual imagery, Catabase unfolds as a macabre and immersive journey through fire, darkness and memory.

The album promises a more nuanced and varied musical approach compared to its predecessor, combining diverse themes, expanded compositions and a stronger, more polished production while maintaining the uncompromising spirit at the heart of the band’s sound.

Pre-orders : https://lesacteursdelombre.net/product-category/preorders

Tracklist:
1. Catabase
2. Jeanlin
3. Bleu Noir Rouge
4. Voreux
5. Baptise Terre
6. Pénitent
7. Les Montagnes Poussent Sous Terre
8. Estaminet Pt.1
9. Terril
10. Saint Cordon
11. Mesektet

Galibot takes its name from the children once sent to work in the coal mines of Northern France — a historical reality deeply intertwined with the band’s origins. Formed in 2023 by Thomas, Agathe and Clément in Wallers-Arenberg, a town still marked by its mining past, the project initially existed as a studio-based trio seeking parallels between coal — raw, dense and dark matter — and black metal music.

Their debut release, Euch’Mau Noir (“The Black Devil” in Ch’ti), portrayed the North as a harsh and infernal land. After the album’s release, the band expanded into a live entity with the addition of Julian and Rob, ultimately shaping Galibot into a full five-piece and laying the foundation for Catabase.

With new material and an evolving lineup, Galibot now prepare to bring their cavernous live experience — steeped in fire, ashes and atmosphere — to the stage.

Fans of Mgła, Misþyrming, Forteresse and Regarde les hommes tomber should keep a close eye on this release.

Line-up:
Vocals : Agathe Boulanger a.k.a Diffamie & Thomas Deffrasnes
Guitars : Thomas Deffrasnes & Julian Baquero
Bass : Clément Joly
Drums : Robin Grabmann
Additional Instruments : Cédric Brügger, Julian Baquero, Thomas Deffrasnes