Carrion Vael reveals details for new album, ‘Slay Utterly’

Carrion Vael reveals details for new album, ‘Slay Utterly’; unleashes first single/video, “19(fucking)78”

Cover artwork by Justin Abraham @artofjustinabraham

On January 16th, technical melodic death metal outfit Carrion Vael will release their fifth full-length, Slay Utterly, via Unique Leader Records. For a first preview of the record, the new single “19(fucking)78” can be streamed now here; watch the video here: https://youtu.be/95SKFahGA64

Regarding their upcoming album, Carrion Vael comments: “‘Slay Utterly’ is our 3rd release on Unique Leader Records, and it’s our best work to date. The stories told within these songs mimic the chaos that is each individual song. It’s brutal, it’s fast, and its moments of reprieve are relatively short lived, before the barbarism starts all over again.”

On first single “19(fucking)78”, the band adds: “To live in California during the 1970’s was to live within a cloud of terror cast by The Hillside Stranglers. The details about the abductions, torture, and public disposal of bodies upon the hillsides of southern California were gruesome and unsettling, and with each news report, a darkness seeped into the aspect of everyday life for citizens of the Golden State. The Captures of Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono offered some closure, but the scars remained.

“The Hillside Stranglers case became a chilling reminder of the capacity for human cruelty, and forced Californians to confront the darkest aspects of their reality. ’19(fucking)78′ dives into the most brutal aspects of this case and holds nothing back in the process.”

Pre-order Slay Utterly in various formats now via: https://orcd.co/slayutterly

Photo credit: Danny Tilson (@dannyytilsonn)

Formed in 2008, Richmond, Indiana’s Carrion Vael return with their most ambitious and punishing release to date: Slay Utterly was recorded and mixed by Jack Daniels and Elisha Mullins at The Armory Studios, then mastered by Jeff Dunne (Alluvial, Veil of Maya, Chelsea Grin, etc) — the resulting 8 tracks are a relentless display of precision, violence, and razor-edged melodic craft. A sharpened step forward from one of the USA’s fastest-rising extreme metal acts, Carrion Vael’s new record promises to solidify their place among the technical melodic death metal elite.

Slay Utterly track-listing

1. 19(fucking)78

2. Truth or Consequences

3. 1912

4. 30 on 9

5. 40 Echoes Upon the Parlor

6. Lord of 74

7. Bisection 47

8. Black Chariot

Upon Slay Utterly’s release, Carrion Vael will hit the road with the mighty Summoning The Lich and Demon King for a stacked 4-show run. See below for all dates!

Carrion Vael tour dates

w/ Summoning The Lich, Demon King

Jan. 16, 2026 – E Street Pub – Richmond, IN

Jan. 17, 2026 – Diesel Concert Lounge – New Baltimore, MI

Jan. 18, 2026 – WC Social Club – West Chicago, IL

Jan. 19, 2026 – MagBar – Louisville, KY

Carrion Vael line-up:

Travis Lawson Purcell – Vocals

Alex Arford – Bass

Trenton Limburg – Guitars

Ryan Kuder – Guitars

Matt Behner – Drums

Carrion Vael online:

https://www.instagram.com/carrionvael

https://www.facebook.com/CarrionVael

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6FUd4s6HqtYH5qDLxjvQ7n

https://www.youtube.com/@carrionvael8395