Hide your candles, sacrifice your calendars, and prepare your earholes: Degenerate is about to wreck your spine and melt your brain with their new face-melting, riff-drenched opus, “Rituals of Rage”, crashing onto Earth on May 23th 2025 (we’re doubling down on the typo — it’s canon now).

This 10-track beast isn’t just an album — it’s a melodic thrash sermon delivered by the high priests of distortion. Think melody, fury, and groove having a bare-knuckle brawl in your speakers. Mixed and mastered by sonic sorcerer Mendel bij de Leij (Ex-Aborted), the album has been genetically engineered to destroy eardrums and expectations alike.

“It’s been an incredible journey to make this record and the videos. Writing, recording, filming — all of it was like summoning a riff-demon from the depths. Mendel didn’t just mix this album — he resurrected it in fire.”
— Rens Hilgers, Emotional Wizard & Frontman

Following the band’s last sonic sledgehammer, Devastation Ahead, this new chapter dives deeper into melody, rage, and that delicious feeling of a breakdown punching your soul. Expect headbangers like “Faceless Violence” to slap harder than your mom catching you skipping school to play guitar.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4REc6z8OzJC7PmxAd2io2s?si=o4T77-srSDuuSHjsAsuZAw

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@degenerate-hq

For fans of riffs, rage, and ritualistic headbanging.
Degenerate. “Rituals of Rage.” May 23th. Be there. Or be slightly less metal.

DEGENERATE is a powerhouse collaboration between Dutch musicians Rens Hilgers, Daniel Ruiz, Bas Bloos and Yannick De Wit each with deep roots in the Netherlands’ thriving metal scene. Founded in early 2016 by frontman Rens Hilgers, DEGENERATE was born from a vision to create a modern hybrid of thrash and melodic death metal – raw, intense, and uncompromising.

In 2016, Rens partnered with drummer Melle Kramer to record the band’s debut demo EP. The release was met with enthusiastic praise from fans and earned international media attention for its ferocity and promise. Encouraged by this early success, Rens set out to assemble a full line-up of like-minded musicians capable of bringing DEGENERATE’s sound to the stage.

Since solidifying their line-up, DEGENERATE has performed extensively across the Netherlands, sharing stages with bands such as Distillator, Acid Drinkers, Disavowed and Deadspeak. Known for their electrifying live shows and powerful stage presence, they quickly carved out a place in the Dutch metal scene.

Musically, DEGENERATE is a force to be reckoned with – fusing intricate guitar riffs, technical drumming, and melancholic solos into a sound that bridges classic 80s thrash with a modern edge. Their style resonates with fans of Max Cavalera-era Sepultura, Children of Bodom, and Death, offering a sonic experience that’s both nostalgic and fresh.

In November 2019, DEGENERATE released their highly anticipated debut full-length album, “Devastation Ahead”, mixed and mastered by Mendel bij de Leij (ex-Aborted). The album received widespread acclaim from fans and critics alike.

Following the release, DEGENERATE embarked on a successful six-week tour across the Netherlands. Their dynamic performances left a lasting impression on audiences, solidifying their status as a rising force in European metal. Just as momentum was building, the global pandemic hit, forcing the band to halt all touring plans and confront a new reality.

Despite the challenges of lockdown and personal hardships, the members of DEGENERATE remained focused and resilient. Fueled by the overwhelmingly positive response to “Devastation Ahead”, they channeled their energy into writing and recording new material. This creative period has not only reaffirmed their commitment to their craft but also allowed them to evolve musically and personally.

DEGENERATE’s latest work, “Rituals Of Rage”, is a testament to their perseverance, passion, and unity. Every track reflects the band’s growth and the strength they’ve found through adversity. They are proud of what they’ve achieved and confident that the next chapter will be even more impactful.

Whether you’re a veteran metalhead or new to the genre, DEGENERATE delivers a sound that’s aggressive, emotional, and undeniably powerful. With new music on the horizon, this is a band that refuses to slow down – and they’re just getting started.