Veteran death metal band Jungle Rot will release its 12th full-length album, “Cruel Face of War,” on May 15, 2026, via Unique Leader Records. Pre-order the album here, and watch the music video for the new single “Apocalyptic Dawn” below.
“Let’s start off by saying what an amazing accomplishment it is to hit 12 releases in my career,” vocalist/guitarist Dave Matrise said. “Never would I think I’d still be doing this 30-plus years later. I guess be careful what you wish for. I’m very grateful to all of our fans that have supported us for so many years and for never giving up on us. To my bandmates for all of their hard work and dedication to me and JRot over all these years. ‘Cruel Face of War’ will not disappoint. It’s full of crushing grooves and violent hooks that will surely break anyone’s neck.”
“Cruel Face of War” track listing:
1. Intro
2. Apocalyptic Dawn
3. Cruel Face of War
4. Maniacal
5. Suffer in Silence
6. Radicalized
7. Blade of Betrayal
8. When the Elders Rise
9. Horrors Vile (featuring David Ingram of Benediction)
10. Legacy of the Damned
11. Rot Riffs
12. Hollow Husk
Kenosha, Wisconsin’s Jungle Rot delivers a blend of old-school thrash metal, death metal, crossover, crusty punk and is known to integrate slow stomp melodies into its style. Having garnered a loyal following over the past 30-plus years, Jungle Rot never tried to be the goriest or most technical band in the extreme underground, but instead focused on flowing grooves and catchy songwriting.
“Cruel Face of War” was produced by Chris Djuricic at Bell City Sound Company, and mixed and mastered by Dan Swano at Unisound Studio.
“We have stood the test of time,” Matrise said. “We are still here playing our trademark style of old school death metal that has carved a legendary name for us in the underground scene today. ‘Cruel Face of War’ continues that legacy.”
After the album release, Jungle Rot will appear across Europe this summer, headlining the Back to the Old School Tour with KHNVM and Rats of Gomorrah as support, in addition to performing at some of the biggest festivals on the continent.
Jungle Rot tour dates:
With KHNVM
June 5, 2026 – Salvin, CZ – Karpaty Festival ***
June 6, 2026 – Emmen, NL – Pitfest Festival ***
June 7, 2026 – Göttingen, DE – Freihafen
June 8, 2026 – Bydgoszcz, PL – Over The Under Pub
June 9, 2026 – Vilnius, LT – Narauti
June 10, 2026 – Riga, LV – MCB Clubs
June 11, 2026 – Tallin, EE – Paavli Kultuurvabrik
June 12, 2026 – Turku, FI – Nirvana Fuusio
June 13, 2026 – Tampere, FI – Varjobaari
June 14, 2026 – Helsinki, FI – On TheRocks
With Rats of Gomorrah
July 3, 2026 – Trutnov, CZ – Obscene Extreme Festival ***
July 4, 2026 – Salzburg, AT – Rockhouse
July 5, 2026 – Vienna, AT – Escape
July 6, 2026 – Timisoara, RO – Nemesis Club
July 7, 2026 – Bucarest, RO – Encore Club
July 8, 2026 – Novi Sad, RS – SKCNS Fabrika
July 9, 2026 – Ljubeljana, SL – Menza Pri Koritu
July 10, 2026 – Val Resia, IT – eResia Festival
July 11, 2026 – Erba (como) Milano, IT – Centrale Rock Pup
July 12, 2026 – Barberaz, FR – Brin de Zinc
July 13, 2026 – Martigny, CH – SunsetBar
July 14, 2026 – Basel, CH – Valhalla Bar
July 15, 2026 – Lyon, FR – Rock n Eat
July 16, 2026 – Weinheim, DE – Cafe Central
July 17, 2026 – Bertingen, DE – RUDE Festival
July 18, 2026 – Münster, DE – Tryptichon
With KHNVM
Aug. 1, 2026 – Dortmund, DE – DortmundDeathfest ***
Aug. 2, 2026 – Diest, BE – HellCafe
Aug. 3, 2026 – Esch Belval, LU – MK Bar
Aug. 4, 2026 – Stuttgart, DE – Schwarzer Keiler
Aug. 5, 2026 – Berlin, DE – Lido
Aug. 6, 2026 – Schwerin, DE – Club Zenith
Aug. 7, 2026 – Schlotheim, DE – Partysan Festival ***
Aug. 8, 2026 – Kortrijk, BE – Alcatraz Festival ***
*** = Jungle Rot only
