The progressive alternative metal band’s fifth studio album arrives October 23 through Metal Blade Records following its North American tour with Jinjer.
ENTHEOS has announced its next studio album, Empty On The Inside, which is scheduled for release on October 23 through Metal Blade Records. The band has also released the album’s first single, “Golden Crown,” alongside an official music video.
The announcement arrives as ENTHEOS completes its North American run supporting Jinjer on the Duél Tour. The tour’s final scheduled date takes place July 24 at the House of Blues in Las Vegas, concluding what the band has described as its highest-profile touring opportunity to date.
“Golden Crown” introduces the direction of Empty On The Inside through a combination of progressive metal instrumentation, synthesizers, melodic hooks, and a breakdown-driven finale. Vocalist Chaney Crabb said the track developed over several years, beginning with a chorus written in 2020.
“‘Golden Crown’ is a song that we spent a few years writing and re-writing until we felt that we really had it right. The chorus of the song was originally written in 2020, long before we began working on this album, and it was so strong that we knew we had to include it on the album. Once the song was finished, it became obvious to us that this was what we wanted to release as our first single.”
Crabb explained that the band drew from its favorite 1990s rock and metal artists while writing the song, aiming to pair the structure of a heavier rock track with unsettling synthesizers, a large chorus, and an aggressive closing section.
Lyrically, “Golden Crown” examines the loss of identity within a destructive attachment. The song presents that relationship as something capable of feeling powerful while simultaneously becoming restrictive and damaging.
“Lyrically, the song is about losing yourself in a deeply destructive attachment that feels both empowering and imprisoning. The formed relationship has become inseparable from your identity. The lyric, ‘I’ve worn you like a golden crown year after year,’ represents a burden that is destroying you, but has also become how you define yourself.”
The single is currently available through digital streaming platforms and serves as the first preview of the album’s 10 tracks.
Empty On The Inside features Crabb and multi-instrumentalist Navene Koperweis, alongside guitarists Scott Carstairsof Fallujah and Michael Stancel of Allegaeon. The record also includes a guest appearance from Michael Lessard on the track “Tomblight.”
According to the band, the album was approached as a collaborative project built around the individual identities of its musicians. While ENTHEOS retains the technical playing and progressive arrangements associated with its earlier work, the new material places additional emphasis on concise songwriting, melodic passages, and recognizable hooks.
The band described Empty On The Inside as a record shaped by the directness of 1990s rock and metal rather than the heavily polished production often associated with contemporary heavy music.
“Empty On The Inside is a statement piece for us. From the start, our goal was to capture the raw, visceral energy that made ‘90s rock and metal so impactful and timeless by prioritizing authentic performances and our individual voices as musicians over hyper-polished modern production.”
Mark Lewis, whose credits include work with The Black Dahlia Murder, Fallujah, and Whitechapel, produced the album. Justin Sturtz handled mastering at Sterling Sound, while Zac Shiffer created the artwork.
The announcement follows a period of growing live activity for ENTHEOS. Before joining Jinjer and Crystal Lake, the band completed its first North American headlining tour in 2025. According to the release, that run included sold-out performances and venue upgrades.
The current Jinjer tour began before the album announcement and has included festival and club appearances across the United States. By the July 24 publication date, the Mansfield, Chicago, Denver, and Albuquerque performances had already taken place. The final Las Vegas show is scheduled for July 24 without Crystal Lake.
Empty On The Inside will be released digitally, on CD, and across several vinyl editions. Worldwide preorders and album merchandise are currently available through Metal Blade Records and the band’s online store.
Tour Dates
ENTHEOS with Jinjer and Crystal Lake
7/17/2026 — INKarceration — Mansfield, OH ^
7/19/2026 — House of Blues — Chicago, IL
7/21/2026 — Summit — Denver, CO **
7/22/2026 — Revel — Albuquerque, NM **
7/24/2026 — House of Blues — Las Vegas, NV **
** No Crystal Lake
^ Festival date
Album Information
Artist: ENTHEOS
Album: Empty On The Inside
Release Date: October 23, 2026
Label: Metal Blade Records
Formats: CD jewel case, digital, and gatefold vinyl with insert
Track Listing
Hell Is A Part Of Me
Empty On The Inside
Hollow
Call My Name
Golden Crown
Undone
Tomblight (Feat. Michael Lessard)
Pale Faith
Never Let Me Go
The Earth Will Move
Release Information
Empty On The Inside will be available in the following vinyl variants:
Bloodlust Red — US
Grey with Black Splatter — US
Neon Green and Yellow Marble — US, Metal Injection exclusive
Green and Blue Marble — EU
White with Red Splatter — EU
Neon Pink with Black Dust — EU
Fluorescent Pink — Band exclusive
Worldwide preorders are currently available through Metal Blade Records. Additional album merchandise is available through the ENTHEOS online store.
Special Guests
Michael Lessard — Featured on “Tomblight”
Band Lineup
Chaney Crabb — Vocals, lyrics
Navene Koperweis — Drums, guitar, synth
Michael Stancel — Guitar, synth
Scott Carstairs — Guitar
Production Credits
Mark Lewis — Producer
Justin Sturtz — Mastering at Sterling Sound
Zac Shiffer — Album artwork
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