The Afghan Whigs have confirmed the launch of eighth album In Spades on May 5, and released lead song “Demon in Profile.”

The 10-track follow-up to 2014’s Do to the Beast was revealed in an unexpected tweet from frontman Greg Dulli, who posted an image relating to the LP’s artwork and said: “It’s on now.”

Three of the songs will be familiar to audiences who have seen the band since their 2012 reunion tour. “Into the Floor” has been performed a number of times, while “Toy Automatic” and “Oriole” were debuted at last year’s benefit show for guitarist Dave Rosser, who’s suffering from inoperable cancer. Dulli performed an acoustic version of “Demon in Profile” during his solo tour of 2016.

In Spades is describe as ”a searing and soulful rock effort that emphasizes its pop instincts while contrasting with the seductive themes found throughout. From its evocative cover art to the troubled spirits haunting its halls, In Spades casts a spell that challenges the listener to unpack its dark metaphors and spectral imagery.”

Dulli adds: ”It’s a spooky record. I like that it’s veiled. It’s not a concept album per se, but as I began to assemble it, I saw an arc and followed it. To me it’s about memory – in particular, how quickly life and memory can blur together.”

In Spades will be released via Sub Pop Records, like its predecessor, 1990’s
Up in It and 1992’s
Congregation. The Afghan Whigs have begun announcing a touring schedule for 2017, with five European shows listed to date. Further announcements are expected.

The Afghan Whigs In Spades Tracklisting
1. “Birdland”

2. “Arabian Heights”

3. “Demon in Profile”

4. “Toy Automatic”

5. “Oriole”

6. “Copernicus”

7. “The Spell”

8. “Light as a Feather”

9. “I Got Lost”

10. “Into the Floor”

The Afghan Whigs 2017 tour dates
5/26 – Manchester Cathedral, U.K.
5/27 – Glasgow O2 ABC, U.K.
5/30 – London KOKO, U.K.
6/01 – Barcelona Primavera Sound Festival, Spain
6/03 – Bologna Zona Roveri, Italy
6/04 – Zagreb Tvornica Kulture, Croatia
6/06 – Warsaw Palladium, Poland
6/07 – Berlin Kesselhaus, Germany
6/09 – Aarhus Northside Festival, Denmark
6/10 – Oslo Vulkan, Norway
6/12 – Hamburg Gruenspan, Germany
6/13 – Frankfurt Batschkapp, Germany
6/14 – Antwerp Trix, Belgium
6/15 – Brussels Ancienne Belgique, Belgium
8/04 – Vienna WUK, Austria
8/05 – Prague Lucerna Music Bar, Czech Republic
8/06 – Zurich Mascotte, Switzerland
8/08 – Munich Backstage Hallem Germany
8/09 – Amsterdam Paradiso, Netherlands

The Top 100 Albums of the ’90s

More From Diffuser.fm