Norwegian metal project Tonic Breed, led by founder Patrik K. Svendsen, has unleashed the new 2026 single “Close In”, a powerful, emotionally charged track featuring guest drums by Charlie Engen, known for his work with Five Finger Death Punch, Scale the Summit, and Ideology.

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The single follows last year’s collaboration “Anew,” which featured legendary drummer Chris Adler (Firstborne, ex‑Lamb of God, ex‑Megadeth), continuing Tonic Breed’s ongoing evolution through high‑profile guest musicians and bold stylistic shifts.
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Originally formed in 2006 as a four‑piece thrash and heavy metal band from Sarpsborg, Norway, Tonic Breed transitioned into a one‑man project in 2019. Since then, Svendsen has pushed the project into new creative territory, collaborating with world‑renowned musicians including Chris Adler, Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Björn Strid (Soilwork), and Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam).​
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With “Close In,” Tonic Breed continues this trajectory, this time exploring a more melodic, atmospheric, and emotionally layered sound.
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​“Close In” dates back to its original writing more than two decades ago and was revisited many times over the years, but never fully came together until now.
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​“This is definitely the track that’s taken the longest to finish. It’s been sitting with me for years, and it wasn’t until the right people got involved that it finally came together the way it was supposed to,” says Svendsen
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Co‑producer Adrian Bjerketvedt helped shape the final structure, while Engen’s drum performance added nuance and dynamic movement. Composer Ben Zimmermann contributed orchestration. Some piano arrangements even transformed early guitar‑based ideas into emotional layers that complete the song’s atmosphere.
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While still rooted in the project’s heavy foundation, “Close In” marks a shift toward melody, space, and emotional depth. It’s a semi‑ballad with clean passages, heavier sections, and dynamic contrasts. The song incorporates harmonies, choirs, and orchestration, rich layering, and atmospheric textures, a first for Tonic Breed.

Svendsen anticipates that “Close In” may surprise listeners.
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“It still has weight and intensity, but it leans more into melody and atmosphere than what I’ve done before. Some will probably not expect it, but it still feels like a natural step for me.”​
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Lyrically, the song explores the long‑term weight of loss, how losing someone close can reshape a person over time, and the struggle to find oneself again while learning to live with that emotional burden.
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​“It comes from a pretty heavy place. It’s about losing people close to you and carrying that weight with you,” adds Svendsen.

Recommended for fans of Soilwork, Evergrey, Alter Bridge, and Trivium, listen to “Close in” at the following links:

Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/album/2l8pHhSRdhWfmJbrHQ5r8z?si=lc3Rf9hnShWzcZRR7_SB4Q​

Lyric Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-S1fQgYR0A​

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For more info:​
​https://tonicbreed.com​
​https://facebook.com/tonicbreed​
​https://instagram.com/tonicbreed​

About Tonic Breed:​
Tonic Breed is a Norwegian thrash and heavy metal one-man music project by Patrik K. Svendsen. Until 2019, Tonic Breed was originally a four-piece band, established in Sarpsborg, Norway, in 2006. Today, Tonic Breed is constantly reinventing itself in songwriting and guest collaborations, which already include Chris Adler (Lamb of God), Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Björn Strid (Soilwork), and Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam).

Tonic Breed Discography:​
– 2026 – Close In (single) (ft. guest drums Charlie Engen (Five Finger Death Punch, Scale The Summit, Idealogy)
– 2025 – Anew (single) (ft. guest drums Chris Adler (Lamb of God)
– 2025 – The Die Is Cast (single) (ft. guest guitar solo Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam)
– 2025 – The Charge (single w/ Darkroot)
– 2024 – Outsold – LP – 10th Anniversary Edition
– 2022 – Fuel the Fire – EP (ft. guests Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Bernt Jansen (Artch/Wig Wam), Björn Strid (Soilwork), Martin Skriubakken (Endezzma), Oliver Palotai (Kamelot)
– 2018 – Install Memory – LP
– 2014 – Outsold – LP
– 2008-2012 – Various demos

Tonic Breed, the metal project led by Norwegian musician Patrik K. Svendsen, is set to release its highly anticipated new single, “Anew,” on June 19, 2025. This high-octane track features Chris Adler, the iconic drummer of Lamb of God, lending his blistering rhythms to the song. The collaboration is expected to set the metal world on fire as Tonic Breed blends its signature thrash sound with Adler‘s unmatched drumming prowess. The song was also mixed and mastered by acclaimed producer Machine, who also handled Lamb of God’s “Ashes of the Wake” and “Sacrament”.

Chris Adler comments:

“I was quite curious when I got an email — and some riffs — from Patrik. He’s done some cool shit and I was flattered to be on his radar… I researched it for a minute and agreed. We did have to take a minute to both feel good about what this would be — meaning I beat up his song like a fucking Rocky movie — but I knew it had the parts and strength. It’s been a privilege to work with Patrik. Humbling. You’ll know what I mean when you hear it.”

Svendensen adds:

“I originally sent over a rough demo of the song, a storm of riffs strung together with placeholder drums and a suggested structure. We worked together on a new structure for the song, and Chris took the lead on shaping it into something far more unique and effective than my original draft. To me, this is the most Lamb of God-style drumming I’ve heard from Chris since he was in Lamb of God. I’m sure some metal guitarists would kill to hear Chris Adler’s drumming behind their riffs — I’ve been lucky enough to experience that firsthand.”

“Anew” will be available for streaming across all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, on June 19th, 2025. The release of “Anew” marks a new milestone in the band’s career, as they prepare for their upcoming album, which promises more collaborations and even more explosive metal tracks to follow past high-profile collaborations, which already include Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Björn Strid (Soilwork), Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam).

Listen to “Anew” at the following links:

YouTube – https://youtu.be/wx-8n9qs5cY​

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/3EfUNCw79sf52xSX4KwbU4​

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For more info:​
​https://tonicbreed.com​
​https://facebook.com/tonicbreed​
​https://instagram.com/tonicbreed​

About Tonic Breed:​
Tonic Breed is a Norwegian thrash and heavy metal one-man music project by Patrik K. Svendsen. Until 2019, Tonic Breed was originally a four-piece band, established in Sarpsborg, Norway, in 2006. As of 2022, Tonic Breed has released three albums and one EP. Today, Tonic Breed is constantly reinventing itself in songwriting and guest collaborations.

About Chris Adler:​
Chris Adler is a world-renowned drummer and founding member of the legendary American heavy metal band Lamb of God. With a career spanning decades, Adler is recognized for his technical precision, groundbreaking style, and massive influence on the heavy metal genre.

Discography:​
– 2025 – Anew (single)
– 2025 – The Die Is Cast (single) (ft. guest guitar solo Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam)
– 2025 – The Charge (single w/ Darkroot)
– 2024 – Outsold – LP – 10th Anniversary Edition
– 2022 – Fuel the Fire – EP (ft. guests Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Bernt Jansen (Artch/Wig Wam), Björn Strid (Soilwork), Martin Skriubakken (Endezzma), Oliver Palotai (Kamelot)
– 2018 – Install Memory – LP
– 2014 – Outsold – LP
– 2010 – On the Brink of Destruction

Tonic Breed, the metal project led by Norwegian musician Patrik K. Svendsen, is gearing up to release “Anew” on June 19th, 2025, a crushing new single featuring none other than legendary drummer Chris Adler (Lamb of God, Megadeth).

“I was quite curious when I got an email — and some riffs — from Patrik,” says Adler. “Clearly he’s done some cool shit and I was flattered to be on his radar… I researched it for a minute and agreed.”

Patrik originally sent over a rough demo of the song, a storm of riffs strung together with placeholder drums and a suggested structure. “Chris was actually on board right away,” Patrik explains. “We worked together on a new structure for the song, and Chris took the lead on shaping it into something far more unique and effective than my original draft.”

“His riffs are fucking sick,” Adler continues. “We did have to take a minute to both feel good about what this would be — meaning I beat up his song like a fucking Rocky movie — but I knew it had the parts and strength.”

The final version of “Anew” is a precision-crafted, high-energy track that fuses Patrik’s Norwegian riff work with Adler’s unmistakable rhythmic drive. “To me, this is the most Lamb of God-style drumming I’ve heard from Chris since he was in Lamb of God,” Patrik says. “I’m sure some metal guitarists would kill to hear Chris Adler’s drumming behind their riffs — I’ve been lucky enough to experience that firsthand.”

By the end of the collaboration, Adler described the finished product as “sounding like an action movie that’s fun to watch,” a nod to the song’s explosive dynamics and cinematic flow.

“It’s been a privilege to work with Patrik,” Adler says. “Humbling. You’ll know what I mean when you hear it.”

The track was mixed and mastered by acclaimed producer Machine, who also handled Lamb of God’s Ashes of the Wake and Sacrament. “The sound is brilliant,” says Patrik. “Machine absolutely nailed it.”

“Anew” will drop June 19th, 2025 as a stand-alone single and is also set to appear on the next full-length Tonic Breed album. The new release continues the project’s series of high-profile collaborations, which already include Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam), and Björn Strid (Soilwork).

Until “Anew” is released, check out Tonic Breed‘s latest collaboration with Flotsam and Jetsam guitarist Michael Gilbert for a guest solo on the new single “The Die Is Cast”.

Straight to the point. No fluff, no filler, “The Die Is Cast” is pure, hard-hitting thrash from start to finish, with a touch of melody woven in. The song is about a powerful war machine that lies broken and abandoned, surrounded by the wreckage of others like it. Its silence feels heavy, as if it’s aware of the destruction it once brought and the emptiness that followed.

“The Die Is Cast” was performed, written, and produced by Patrik K. Svendsen with mixing by Adrian Bjerketvedt in Sarpsborg, Norway, and mastered by Steve Kitch.

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/2AM7LfoyoTUL0VlZLYpXyE​

For more info:​
​https://tonicbreed.com​
​https://facebook.com/tonicbreed​
​https://instagram.com/tonicbreed​

About: Tonic Breed is a Norwegian thrash and heavy metal one-man music project by Patrik K. Svendsen. Until 2019, Tonic Breed was originally a four-piece band, established in Sarpsborg, Norway, in 2006. As of 2022, Tonic Breed has released three albums and one EP. Today, Tonic Breed is constantly reinventing itself in songwriting and guest collaborations.

Discography:​
– 2025 – The Die Is Cast (single)
(ft. guest guitar solo Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam)
– 2025 – The Charge (single w/ Darkroot)
– 2024 – Outsold – LP – 10th Anniversary Edition
– 2022 – Fuel the Fire – EP
(ft. guests Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Bernt Jansen (Artch/Wig Wam),
Björn Strid (Soilwork), Martin Skriubakken (Endezzma), Oliver Palotai (Kamelot)
– 2018 – Install Memory – LP
– 2014 – Outsold – LP
– 2010 – On the Brink of Destruction

Norway’s Tonic Breed, led by one man thrash machine Patrik K. Svendsen, has teamed up with Flotsam and Jetsam guitarist Michael Gilbert for a guest solo on the new single “The Die Is Cast”. This is the second collaboration of 2025 by Tonic Breed and follows the previously released track “The Charge” with Darkroot.

Straight to the point. No fluff, no filler, “The Die Is Cast” is pure, hard-hitting thrash from start to finish, with a touch of melody woven in. The song is about a powerful war machine that lies broken and abandoned, surrounded by the wreckage of others like it. Its silence feels heavy, as if it’s aware of the destruction it once brought and the emptiness that followed.

Svendsen adds about the track:

“I think the fans are gonna dig this one. Tonic Breed never releases a song that sounds too much like the previous one. Also, with guest appearances, the unique touch on each song is there all the time. I’m super excited about the response from the fans! I went for an ’80s thrash composition on this one! Having Michael on board is an absolute honor, as he was a part of that era and genre of music.”

Gilbert comments:

“It was an honor to be asked to do a guest solo appearance with Patrik and Tonic Breed. Some killer heavy music and a pleasure to be a part of. Cheers!”

Photo Credit – Evelina Szczesik

“The Die Is Cast” was performed, written, and produced by Patrik K. Svendsen with mixing by Adrian Bjerketvedt in Sarpsborg, Norway, and mastered by Steve Kitch.

Recommended for fans of Flotsam and Jetsam, Slayer, and Metallica, listen to “The Die Is Cast” at the following links:

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/2AM7LfoyoTUL0VlZLYpXyE​

Video – https://youtu.be/mAC4_K0Sqko​

​

For more info:​
​https://tonicbreed.com​
​https://facebook.com/tonicbreed​
​https://instagram.com/tonicbreed​

About:
Tonic Breed is a Norwegian thrash and heavy metal one-man music project by Patrik K. Svendsen. Until 2019, Tonic Breed was originally a four-piece band, established in Sarpsborg, Norway, in 2006. As of 2022, Tonic Breed has released three albums and one EP. Today, Tonic Breed is constantly reinventing itself in songwriting and guest collaborations.

Discography:
– 2025 – The Die Is Cast (single)
(ft. guest guitar solo Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam)
– 2025 – The Charge (single w/ Darkroot)
– 2024 – Outsold – LP – 10th Anniversary Edition
– 2022 – Fuel the Fire – EP
(ft. guests Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Bernt Jansen (Artch/Wig Wam),
Björn Strid (Soilwork), Martin Skriubakken (Endezzma), Oliver Palotai (Kamelot)
– 2018 – Install Memory – LP
– 2014 – Outsold – LP
– 2010 – On the Brink of Destruction