Dark Funeral Unveil ‘A Beast To Praise’: A Resurrection of 90s Live Intensity

Swedish black metal icons capture their post-pandemic resurgence in a gritty new live record ahead of a massive European tour.

The sweat-drenched walls of Stockholm’s Fållan venue in 2022 served as a pressure cooker for Dark Funeral. Emerging from the global silence of the pandemic, the Swedish black metal stalwarts were ready to remind the world why they remain architects of the genre. Now, that visceral energy is being immortalised on their upcoming live album, A Beast To Praise, slated for release on August 21, 2026.

Spanning 13 tracks and nearly 70 minutes, the record acts as both a victory lap for their We Are The Apocalypse tour and a definitive bridge to their next studio chapter. Lord Ahriman, the band’s guitarist and mastermind, describes the recording as a document of a pivotal moment—when the band reclaimed the stage with renewed ferocity. Fans can get their first taste of this raw intensity via the newly released live video for “The Arrival of Satan’s Empire.”

Why it matters: The return of the 90s live aesthetic

For a band with roots stretching back to the 90s, A Beast To Praise feels like a deliberate recalibration. While the modern metal landscape is often polished to a fault, there is currently a tangible hunger for the unvarnished "90s live" sound—a style that prioritises the chaotic, unfiltered connection between a band and the crowd over studio perfection. By choosing to document a full, uninterrupted set, Dark Funeral is tapping into the tradition of the high-stakes live album, proving that their particular brand of darkness is best experienced in a room where the air is thin and the amps are screaming.

The road ahead

The release of the album is perfectly timed to fuel the momentum for an ambitious October run. The band will join forces with heavyweights Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir for the “In League With Satan” tour. The trek kicks off in Zurich on October 9 and will snake through major European hubs, including stops in Germany, France, Italy, and a homecoming show in Stockholm on October 29.

Whether you are a long-time devotee or a newcomer to their grim discography, A Beast To Praise offers a comprehensive look at the band's current lineup: Heljarmadr on vocals, Lord Ahriman and Chaq Mol on guitars, Adra-Melek on bass, and Jalomaah on drums. With pre-orders now open for CD, vinyl, and digital formats, the band is positioning this release as a definitive document of their current power. They are not merely looking back at their legacy; they are using it as a launchpad for the next phase of their blackened crusade.