Swedish symphonic metal band Zornheym have released their second single and accompanying music video, ‘Deus Rex’, taken from their upcoming studio album ‘Descending Into Madness’, which is due for release on 2 October via Noble Demon. Following the first glimpse into their new chapter with ‘Somewhere Far Beyond’, the band now presents a track that opens the album in a fast, hard-hitting and cinematic manner. ‘Deus Rex’ serves as a prologue to the overarching narrative of ‘Descending Into Madness’ and delves deeper into the dark history of the Zornheim Asylum universe.
‘We knew we wanted a fast, powerful track to open “Descending Into Madness”’, explains mastermind Zorn. “The first idea that came to mind was an unreleased Devian song that had originally been written for the third album. So this track was created in collaboration with Emil Dragutinovic (ex-Marduk, ex-Devian, ex-The Legion). It started with his original idea, mixed with some of my own. We kept the core of the song but completely “Zornheymified” it – I wrote new parts, and Scucca added the chorus break. The result is absolutely stunning.“
He continues: “From a narrative perspective, this song serves as a prologue to the entire prequel. It takes us back to a time when the asylum served as a field hospital during the Thirty Years’ War, and to that terrible night when a group of deserters were brutally executed on the shores of Lake Sêla (the lake near the asylum) and hanged from the old oak tree. It also briefly touches on the time when the place served as a sanatorium for the dying.”
With ‘Descending Into Madness’, Zornheym expand their complex narrative universe, which revolves around the infamous Zornheim Asylum. Each release adds new layers to a story that blurs the line between horror, storytelling and madness – though it is never entirely clear who the real inmates are.
Zornheym was founded in Stockholm by multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Zorn (ex-Dark Funeral) and has built its identity on a fusion of symphonic metal, cinematic orchestration and influences from melodic death metal. Their work is complemented by visual storytelling, graphic novels and music videos in the style of short films, turning every release into a multidimensional experience.
On stage, Zornheym transforms into a theatrical experience, led by frontman Bendler, whose charismatic presence draws the audience deep into the spell of the institution. On special occasions, actors also become part of the performance, elevating the show beyond a traditional concert to a dark, immersive spectacle.
‘Descending Into Madness’ is due for release on 2 October via Noble Demon and is available for pre-order now. The album will be available in a range of exclusive formats, including coloured marbled vinyl, a limited-edition collector’s edition CD, a digipak and an A5 book.
CD and vinyl editions of the album ‘Descending Into Madness’:
CD Digipak with Booklet
CD in Special Limited Digipak with Booklet
1x LP Black Vinyl Gatefolder Edition
1x LP Blue Marbled Vinyl Gatefolder Edition
All physical editions of the album ‘Descending Into Madness’ can be pre-ordered from Shop, amongst others. Please note the estimated delivery times given.
More information about the band: Zornheym
More information about the label: Noble Demon
