Karu unveils first single “Shadow Of War”

Symphonic death metallers Karu return with the first single from their upcoming album “Perdition”. Out on September 16th, 2025, “Shadow War” sets the tone for the record’s epic narrative and sonic scope.

At nearly ten minutes in length, “Shadow War” embodies the essence of Karu‘s sound: brutal, unforgiving riffs and guttural vocals contrasted by sweeping orchestration and haunting melodic passages. The track mirrors the conceptual backbone of “Perdition”, a journey through a folklore-inspired vision of feudal Japan, where villages are razed by demons and survivors confront both despair and resilience.

Musically, the single evolves like a saga. It opens with relentless death metal ferocity, transitions into an atmospheric middle section the band dubs the “Dreamworld” and culminates in an emotionally charged guitar solo that balances virtuosity with narrative weight. This dynamic structure highlights the trio’s artistic synergy:

• Niko Hienonen – vocals, production, orchestrations
• Kalle Pöyskö – guitars
• Toni Tieaho (ex-Mors Principium Est, Crystalic) – guitars

Produced, mixed, and mastered by Hienonen, “Shadow War” captures the next stage of Karu‘s evolution after their acclaimed 2024 album “HYDRA”. With “Perdition”, the band pushes further, integrating clean vocals, Japanese voice acting and even more intricate orchestration to craft an album designed as a seamless cinematic experience.

For fans of Wintersun, Brymir, Whispered, and Nightwish, Karu‘s “Shadow War” is both a statement of intent and an invitation into a mythic, immersive world where extreme metal collides with symphonic drama.

DIGITAL: lnk.to/crEB2U

To celebrate the release, Karu will also unveil an official lyric video for “Shadow War”, offering fans a visual entry point into the song’s story and atmosphere. 

VIDEO: Rockshots Records YouTube Channel

“Perdition” will be released worldwide on November 21st, 2025

ALBUM PRE-ORDER here

Tracklist

01. Shores of Mist and Blood
02. Shadow War
03. Alone in the Forest
04. Embers in the Skies
05. Trail of Fire
06. Path of the Unforgiven
07. Perdition


Karu Line Up:

• Niko Hienonen – Vocals, Production, Orchestrations
• Kalle Pöyskö – Guitars
• Toni Tieaho (ex-Mors Principium Est, Crystalic) – Guitars

BIOGRAPHY:

Karu was formed in 2017 by Kalle Pöyskö and Niko Hienonen as a studio project. In 2020 the boys came out with the first EP “KARU” that paved the way for the future of the band. The EP introduced the driving metal force of the band as well as the beautiful orchestrations that would be more prominent in the band’s future releases. In 2023 Karu was formalized as a proper live band and two singles were released from the upcoming album. In April 2024 the band’s first full length concept album, “HYDRA” was released. The album gathered attention from critiques and received critical acclaim for its unique atmosphere and attitude towards conjoining brutal metal and beautiful orchestras. 

The band started to work on the next full length album already before “HYDRA” was released. The concept started as an epic journey through the wilderness of a fantasy themed Japan, drawing inspiration from the Japanese spiritual world, where all the forests have a spirit of their own. The band finished the album in the summer of 2025, only a year after their last album was released. The band went through some lineup changes and the newest line up is the founders Pöyskö and Hienonen as well as the lead guitarist virtuoso Toni Tieaho (Crystalic, Existence Depraved, ex-Mors Principium Est). With the new lineup, the band’s sound evolved to wholly new levels and “Perdition” is a testament to the band’s new sound. 

With “Perdition” the band aims to bring their music and energetic live show to new audiences within and outside of their native Finland.