Irish progressive metallers Afterborn release new video for single 'Three Monkeys' • GRIMM Gent

The Irish progressive metal outfit returned with a hard-hitting new track about speaking out, confronting uncomfortable truths and standing up for what is right.

Irish progressive metal outfit AFTERBORN continue to carve out their own musical identity with ‘Three Monkeys’, a new single that confronts the dangers of turning a blind eye to injustice and the responsibility we all share to speak out when it matters most.

Blending progressive metal complexity with muscular riffs, cinematic textures and emotionally charged songwriting, AFTERBORN will appeal to fans of Mastodon, Nevermore and Dream Theater, bringing together technical ambition and a message that demands to be heard.

At the heart of ‘Three Monkeys’ lies a familiar but uncomfortable question: what happens when we see injustice unfolding around us but choose to remain silent? Inspired by the idea of seeing no evil, hearing no evil and speaking no evil, the song examines the fear that prevents people from challenging wrongdoing, particularly when doing so risks disagreement, isolation or ostracism.

As vocalist Hytham explains, the track is about recognising that silence has consequences;

“Three Monkeys is about the consequences of doing nothing in the face of adversity. The fear of speaking out about injustice while ignoring the truth that your eyes and ears tell you. It’s about standing up for what is right, just and true, even though those around you disagree or ostracise you! As Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘Even if you are in a minority of one; the truth is still the truth!’ And there’s always hope.”

That final sentiment is central to the song’s message. Rather than surrendering to cynicism, AFTERBORN challenge listeners to trust their own judgement, question what they are told and find the courage to stand by their convictions, even when the easier option is to look away.

The single follows the band’s debut release, ‘Lost in the Shadows’, which introduced listeners to their distinctive blend of progressive metal, world music influences, orchestral arrangements and haunting hurdy-gurdy melodies.

Formed by former Nebularis collaborators Hytham Martin and Damian Dziennik, AFTERBORN have built their sound around a shared appetite for experimentation, drawing together diverse musical influences without losing sight of the emotional connection at the heart of their songwriting.

With ‘Three Monkeys’, that creative approach meets a subject that feels particularly resonant in a world where misinformation, division and indifference can make it increasingly difficult to separate truth from noise. The result is a track that asks more of its audience than simply listening. It challenges them to consider where they stand when the moment comes to speak up.

For a band determined to push beyond the boundaries of conventional metal, AFTERBORN are establishing themselves as a project with something to say, both musically and thematically. ‘Three Monkeys’ is the latest chapter in the AFTERBORN story, delivering progressive metal with conviction, purpose and a reminder that doing the right thing still matters.