BRITISH METALCORE ACT SHIELDS ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM DEATH & CONNECTION OUT JANUARY 30 — PRE-ORDER

SHARE VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE "WOLFSKIN" (FEAT. TAYLOR BARBER OF LEFT TO SUFFER) OUT NOW!

Shields are a band whose resilience stands as a testament to their ability to persevere through some of life's most difficult experiences.

Acclaimed British metalcore band Shields have announced their new studio album, Death & Connection, set for release on January 30 via Long Branch Records.

"Death & Connection is a body of work born from the absence of the people who no longer hold space in our lives," comments Shields. "This record was created from a necessity to express and soothe our deepest losses. However, that was never the intention. We simply set out to make an album we wanted to hear."

In conjunction with today's album announcement, Shields have released the video for new single "Wolfskin." The song features guest vocals from Left To Suffer's Taylor Barber.

Watch the video below.

Stream "Wolfskin" and pre-order the album here.

Founded in 2012 by primary songwriters Joe Edwards (vocals) and Samuel Kubrick Finney (guitar/vocals), Shields quickly made an impact in the heavy music scene with their viral single "I Just Feel Hate" — a track they re-released in a newly reimagined version in April 2025. Their EP GUILT cemented their refined sound, blending brutal instrumentation with poignant, emotionally driven lyrics. With this release, they demonstrated an aggressive adaptability to the ever-evolving alternative music landscape, winning over fans from across adjacent genres. The momentum of their powerful breakthrough led to tour cycles alongside acts such as Loathe, Ice Nine Kills, and Escape the Fate.

Shields' debut full-length album Life in Exile (2018) received critical acclaim for its raw honesty and musical maturity. However, the album cycle was tragically cut short by the sudden passing of guitarist George Christie — an event that ultimately led to the band's untimely and abrupt disbandment.

Their return marks a bold decision, given the tragic circumstances surrounding their 2018 split. Yet, Shields re-emerge with powerful new tracks, inviting audiences to witness the next evolution of their sound - matured, refined, and fearless. This new chapter is supported by a fortified lineup, featuring founding members Edwards andl Kubrick Finney, now joined by Alastair Wain (drums) and Krishan Pujara (bass).

If Shields' discography is any indication of what lies ahead, audiences can expect a torrent of unrelentingly bold strides into new sonic territories.

More info about Shields on tour in the UK here.

SHIELDS ARE:
Joe Edwards — Vocals
Samuel Kubrick Finney — Guitar + Vocals
Alastair Wain — Drums
Krishan Pujara — Bass

"I'd rather drown than speak another lie to you // It seems the feeling is not mutual //Anger fills my heart..."

Those are lyrics from "I Just Feel Hate" by British metalcore band Shields, who stirred up the UK metal scene more than 12 years ago with the backing of a YouTube video that since has been streamed millions of times.

All these years later, the song is leaving the underground and has been officially released for the first time — with a twist.

Stream the single here.

Watch the visualizer for "I Just Feel Hate" below.

"This song was and still is hugely important to us. It put us on the map when we were still a small local band, and to this day, people have been asking for it to be released properly on streaming platforms. We decided to finally get our act together and do just that, and as a token of our appreciation for those that care about our band, we have recorded a new version of the track that stays true to the original song but with the sonic make-up and delivery of the band we have become in 2025. This is the first release of many — people will not have to wait much longer to see what else we have been quietly cooking up for the past year," says Shields' Sam Kubrick Finney.

Forming in 2012, Shields rapidly made a good impression on the metal community with "I Just Feel Hate," which was followed by their EP GUILT. 2018 saw the release of Shields' debut album Life In Exile, which included the singles "Black Dog" and "It's Killing Me." After a five-year hiatus, Shields returned in the summer of 2023, set to release a brand new song "Bury Me," just before they took the stage again at Burn It Down Festival UK. Throughout the band's career, Shields toured with bands such as Ice Nine Kills, Born Of Osiris, Chelsea Grin, Veil Of Maya, Escape the Fate, and Loathe.

CATCH SHIELDS LIVE:
April 5 — UK, Portsmouth— Takedown Festival

Shields Announce "Death & Connection" Album + Share "Wolfskin"(Feat. Taylor Barber) Video

Shields Surprise Fans With Official Release of Iconic Single "I Just Feel Hate" From 12 Years Ago!