DARK RIDE Announce new album "Blade Manor" New Single "Rewind" Out Now
 | Fri, January 23, 2026 at 7:41 AM |
California-based melodic punk rock band DARK RIDE are set to return with their new full-length album "Blade Manor", due out March 13th, 2025 on digipak CD, vinyl LP and digital formats via Fiend Force/Massacre Records. To mark the announcement, the band have unveiled the album's first single and official music video, "Rewind", available now.
The lead single "Rewind" serves as a love letter to the video store era of the '80s and '90s, packed with lyrical nods to cult classics such as Evil Dead, Rocky Horror, The Shining and Psycho. Musically, the track combines urgent punk drive with a razor-sharp guitar solo by guest musician Carlos Cofino (Gotham Road), capturing both nostalgia and adrenaline in equal measure. The accompanying video expands on the song's cinematic themes, bringing Dark Ride's horror-infused universe vividly to life.
"Blade Manor" represents a bold new chapter for DARK RIDE, blending high-energy melodic punk with horror, fantasy and cinematic storytelling. Across 12 tracks, the album delivers infectious anthems, dark humor and atmospheric elements, drawing inspiration from classic horror films, '80s and '90s pop culture, and West Coast punk rock, while incorporating subtle metal influences.
Created by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Emilio Menze, DARK RIDE have steadily carved out a distinctive identity within the modern punk scene. Beyond his work with Dark Ride, Emilio is widely regarded as one of the most visible and respected figures in the global horror punk community - a scene-builder who has spent years setting up shows, supporting other bands, and helping keep the culture alive both in the U.S. and abroad.
Before forming Dark Ride, Emilio toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe with his previous bands, appearing on bills alongside major genre acts and bringing horror punk to new audiences. His work with Stellar Corpses was particularly influential, earning international attention and positioning him as a recognizable presence within the scene. Emilio also fronted Plan 9, considered the world's most renowned Misfits tribute act - further cementing his reputation as a charismatic and theatrical performer with deep roots in the genre's legacy.
For fans outside the horror punk niche, Emilio functions as a rare bridge between underground subculture and broader alternative music, combining a cinematic sensibility with melodic songwriting and an unmistakable visual identity. Comparisons to artists such as AFI, Misfits and Alkaline Trio only touch the surface - his creative voice stands firmly on its own.
Produced by Randy Moore and Olav Tabatabai, with mixing by Olav Tabatabai and mastering by Zack Ohren (Castle Ultimate Productions), "Blade Manor" showcases DARK RIDE at their most focused and ambitious to date. The album also features a range of guest musicians from across the punk, horror-punk and metal scenes, further enriching its dynamic and collaborative spirit.
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Following acclaimed performances across the US and Europe, including a debut appearance at Germany's legendary Wave-Gotik-Treffen festival, DARK RIDE continue to build momentum as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary melodic punk.
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