Published: July 12, 2026
The Hamburg glam ’n’ sleaze metal band will release Rats In The Cradle on September 25, 2026 through Steamhammer, with Johnny Gioeli appearing on the first single
Night Laser have announced Rats In The Cradle, a new album scheduled for release on September 25, 2026 through Steamhammer. The Hamburg-based glam ’n’ sleaze metal band have also released the video for the album’s first single, “Heart Of The Desert Rose,” featuring Johnny Gioeli of Axel Rudi Pell and Hardline.
The album follows Call Me What You Want, released two years earlier, and continues the development of the band’s sound after European touring alongside Axel Rudi Pell.
“Heart Of The Desert Rose” is the first single from Rats In The Cradle. The source material describes the song as a blues rock ballad centered on beauty, grace, strength, love, courage and hope.
The song features guest vocals from Johnny Gioeli, known for his work with Axel Rudi Pell and Hardline. According to the announcement, Night Laser dedicate the song to women who never surrender, continue moving forward and bring light into the world.
Night Laser released the official video for “Heart Of The Desert Rose.”
Rats In The Cradle was produced and arranged by Eike Freese, whose credits include work connected to Deep Purple and Saga.
The album was also developed with pre-production support from Dirk Schlächter of Gamma Ray.
Singer Benno Hankers described the album as a turning point for the band.
“Night Laser have become the band we've always wanted to be,” Hankers said. “The handbrake is off and the turbo has been ignited. This is our most diverse album to date and it breathes rock, metal, blues, funk and, above all, friendship and fun!”
Bassist Rob Hankers added:
“With this new album, we've definitely found our unique style.”
The band also emphasized the collaborative nature of the album.
“Every track bears our individual signatures and is the result of days and nights spent in the rehearsal room,” the band stated. “Each one of us contributed a piece of their soul to our latest album!”
TRACKLIST
1. S.T.F.U.
2. Make You Mine
3. Defenders — featuring Sebastian Zierof
4. Blueberry Gin — featuring Sascha Paeth
5. Heart Of The Desert Rose — featuring Johnny Gioeli
6. Rats In The Cradle
7. Into The West
8. 19CR490
9. Get Out — featuring Lars Rettkowitz
10. Goddess Of The Sky
11. You And Me
FORMATS
Rats In The Cradle will be available in the following configurations:
CD DigiPak including poster
2LP Gatefold, 140g marbled green/yellow black vinyl, padded inner sleeves and coloured insert
Exclusive CD/LP bundles with shirt through the Steamhammer shop
Download / Streaming
NIGHT LASER ON TOUR 2026
June 26, 2026 — Brande, Denmark — Street Art Festival
July 10, 2026 — Ehndorf, Germany — Rock Area A7 Open Air
July 11, 2026 — Bornemannshausen, Germany — Wipfelbeben Open Air
July 26, 2026 — Wolfsburg, Germany — Autostadt Porsche Stage Open Air
August 7, 2026 — Kiel, Germany — Bootshafen Sommer Open Air
August 22, 2026 — Handeloh, Germany — Wini Macken Open Air
August 29, 2026 — Brockhöfe, Germany — Farmfest Open Air
September 19, 2026 — Hamburg, Germany — Markthalle — with Hardbone
SPECIAL GUEST FOR AXEL RUDI PELL
September 23, 2026 — Pratteln, Switzerland — Z7
September 25, 2026 — Cologne, Germany — Live Music Hall
September 26, 2026 — Osnabrück, Germany — Hydepark
September 27, 2026 — Bochum, Germany — Zeche
September 29, 2026 — Ulm, Germany — Roxy
September 30, 2026 — Mannheim, Germany — Capitol
October 2, 2026 — Gelnhausen, Germany — Warehouse Seven
October 3, 2026 — Stuttgart, Germany — Longhorn
October 4, 2026 — Regensburg, Germany — Eventhall
October 6, 2026 — Vienna, Austria — Szene
October 7, 2026 — Nürnberg, Germany — Hirsch
October 8, 2026 — Kortrijk, Belgium — De Kreun
October 9, 2026 — Heerlen, Netherlands — Nieuwe Nor
October 10, 2026 — Zoetermeer, Netherlands — Boerderij
HEADLINE SHOW
December 11, 2026 — Oberhausen, Germany — Helvete
NIGHT LASER LIVE 2027
January 16, 2027 — Braunschweig, Germany — KuFa Haus
January 23, 2027 — Hameln, Germany — Regenbogen
February 6, 2027 — Hamburg, Germany — Bahnhof Pauli
May 8, 2027 — Lübeck, Germany — Rider’s Cafe
LINEUP
Benno Hankers — vocals
Felipe Zapata Martinez — guitars
Rob Hankers — bass
Ingemar Oswald — drums
Night Laser are a Hamburg-based glam ’n’ sleaze metal band. The announcement frames Rats In The Cradle as a continuation of the growth heard on Call Me What You Want, shaped by the band’s recent touring experience and a stronger internal creative identity.
The album also features several guest appearances across its tracklist, including Sebastian Zierof, Sascha Paeth, Johnny Gioeli and Lars Rettkowitz.
With “Heart Of The Desert Rose,” Night Laser introduce Rats In The Cradle with a song that places blues rock emotion alongside the band’s glam ’n’ sleaze metal identity. The album also connects the band’s Hamburg foundation to a wider hard rock network through guest appearances, production by Eike Freese, pre-production support from Dirk Schlächter and a 2026 live schedule that includes dates as special guest for Axel Rudi Pell.
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
Photo Credit: Franz Schepers
Watch the official video for “Heart Of The Desert Rose” featuring Johnny Gioeli below.
