Published: July 12, 2026
The long-running German thrash metal band will release Death Mask Messiah on August 28, 2026, with the title track issued as the first single and video
Exumer will release Death Mask Messiah, a new full-length album, on August 28, 2026 through Metal Blade Records. The German thrash metal band have also released the title track, “Death Mask Messiah,” as the first single and video from the album.
Death Mask Messiah marks the band’s first new studio output in seven years. It is also Exumer’s sixth album overall and fourth release for Metal Blade Records.
“Death Mask Messiah” introduces the album with a direct connection to the record’s lyrical and conceptual foundation.
According to vocalist Mem V. Stein, the song was chosen as the first single because it represents both the sound and the themes of the album.
“We deliberately chose this track as the first single, as the sonic assault of its main riff and the lyrical concept represent the totality of our intentions for this album,” Stein said. “It marks a clear step toward elevating the band to the next level of our career, leaving nothing to the imagination and reinforcing our place as one of the most powerful forces in the entire genre.”
Exumer released the official video for “Death Mask Messiah.”
Death Mask Messiah was produced by Dominic Paraskevopoulos, known for work connected to Kreator and Caliban. The album was mixed and mastered by Arthur Rizk, whose credits include Soulfly and King Diamond.
The album was recorded from December 2025 through January 2026. It is the first Exumer LP recorded with the rhythm section of drummer Jerome Reil and bass player Alex Voss.
Mem V. Stein described the new album as more aggressive than its predecessor, Hostile Defiance.
“We are a lot more aggressive than on Hostile Defiance and are returning to a more ‘in your face’ style on Death Mask Messiah,” Stein said. “We’re furthering the process that began with our first offering for Metal Blade, 2012’s Fire & Damnation, where we wanted to sound like a contemporary band while maintaining the spirit and our musical heritage of the 1980s.”
Speaking about the rhythm section, Stein added:
“They have formidably integrated themselves as musicians and friends into the EXUMER tapestry,” Stein said. “You can feel their young energy, coupled with our trademark aggression and experience. The band sounds more focused and yet raw, thanks to their addition to the lineup.”
The source material connects Death Mask Messiah to several themes, including United States politics over the last decade, the pandemic, misinformation, cultural division and the 30-year anniversary of the Waco, Texas standoff involving the Branch Davidians.
Mem V. Stein also referenced David Koresh as a central image behind the album’s title and concept.
“David Koresh was a false prophet and wore a death mask, manipulating and leading his followers to certain death,” Stein said. “Each song on Death Mask Messiah picks up an individual theme of these two strains of thought.”
The title track brings those ideas together through the Waco raid and siege while also addressing a broader image of charlatans, power and political collapse.
Death Mask Messiah includes a cover of “Unchained Angel” by Nasty Savage. The track features Nasty Ronnie of Nasty Savage.
The connection goes back to 1988, when Exumer supported Nasty Savage on the band’s first European tour.
“EXUMER is a legendary powerhouse with history to crush any stage they play,” Nasty Ronnie said. “There is great history from 1988 with Nasty Savage touring Europe and I am honored to be a part of this project!”
Death Mask Messiah features front art and layout by Björn Gooßes of Killustrations, known for work connected to Sodom and Vomitory.
TRACKLIST
1. Death Mask Messiah
2. Blinding Skies
3. Sin Bleeder
4. Eradication
5. Ravishing Waste
6. Allocated Savagery
7. Serpent
8. Fratricide
9. Scorcher
10. Frozen Ground
11. Unchained Angel
FORMATS
Death Mask Messiah will be released on CD-Digipak, digital formats and vinyl.
The vinyl color variants are:
180g Black
“Galaxy” Red/Black
“Saturn” Grey/Brown Ripple — limited to 250 copies
“Onyx” Black Ice with White Splatter — limited to 250 copies
LIVE DATES
October 23, 2026 — Hirschaid, Germany — Nuclear Winter Festival 2026
November 21, 2026 — Deinze, Belgium — Alcatraz & Pluto Festival
February 20, 2027 — Essen, Germany — Endzeit Festival 2027
Exumer are a long-running German thrash metal band built around co-founding vocalist Mem V. Stein and guitarist Ray Mensh. With Death Mask Messiah, the band continue their later-era run with Metal Blade Records, following Fire & Damnation, The Raging Tides and Hostile Defiance.
The source material presents the new album as a more brutal and direct record, shaped by the band’s 1980s thrash heritage while keeping a contemporary production approach.
Several musicians also commented on the album. Danny Lilker, known for his work with Anthrax, Brutal Truth, Nuclear Assault and S.O.D., described the material as a return to hard-nosed German thrash energy. Jeff Matz of High On Fire highlighted the band’s riffing, drums and vocal attack, while Brian “Mitts” Daniels, formerly of Madball, pointed to the way the modern production enhances the band’s aggression.
LINEUP
Mem V. Stein — vocals
Ray Mensh — guitars
Marc B. — guitars
Alex Voss — bass
Jerome Reil — drums
Through Death Mask Messiah, Exumer return with their first new studio album in seven years and continue their Metal Blade era with a record rooted in German thrash metal aggression, political unease and historical reference points. The title track introduces the album’s concept through the image of false prophets, power and collapse, while the inclusion of Nasty Ronnie on “Unchained Angel” connects the release to a relationship that reaches back to Exumer’s 1988 European tour with Nasty Savage.
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
Watch the official video for “Death Mask Messiah” below.
