Full Breakdown
Europe's "Come This Madness": First Album in Nine Years Marks a Modern Hard Rock Return
4/28/2026, 9:18:40 PM
Album Announcement and Release Details
Swedish hard-rock band Europe announced that their twelfth studio album, Come This Madness, will be released on September 25 2026 through Silver Lining Music / Hell & Back Recordings. The record contains eleven tracks and will be issued on vinyl, CD, and digital formats. Pre-orders opened alongside the announcement, and the band has slated a series of European dates from June through October, including a Final Countdown 40th-anniversary tour that kicks off in Glasgow on September 30.
Production, Guest Contributions, and Recording Venue
The album was recorded at RMV Studio in Stockholm, a facility founded by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Ludvig Andersson. Production was overseen by Tom Dalgety (Ghost, Rammstein, The Cult), who also co-wrote several songs. Mixing duties were handled by veteran engineer Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Van Halen, Metallica). Guest appearances feature Tobias Forge, frontman of Ghost, and Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth, linking Europe’s classic sound with contemporary metal voices.
Lead Single “One on One”: Composition and Visual Presentation
The first single, “One on One,” opens the album and serves as a “stadia-ready anthem.” Built around a “muscular bassline” and “soaring melodic hooks,” the track begins with an orchestral swell before shifting to a riff-driven core. Its accompanying video, directed by Patric Ullaeus, stars Swedish actor Peter Stormare (Fargo, The Big Lebowski) in a stark, cinematic setting that emphasizes emotional exposure over typical rock spectacle.
Official Statements from Frontman Joey Tempest
In interviews, vocalist Joey Tempest described the album as a “powerful, uncompromising statement” that reflects current times rather than the escapism of earlier releases. He highlighted the collaborative dynamic with Dalgety, noting the producer’s “creative, musical and incredibly intuitive” approach that made him feel like a “sixth member” of the band. Tempest also emphasized the band’s commitment to the single, explaining that the song “started as a demo, we never gave up on it, and elevated it to a place where it belongs.” Regarding the tour, he framed the upcoming shows as a celebration of the band’s legacy while showcasing the renewed energy of the new material.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The power and feel is fresh, but some of the melodies bring me back to where it all began.” — Joey Tempest, Frontman, Europe
- “The power and feel is fresh, but some of the melodies bring me back to where it all began. Lyrically, it's perhaps not filled with as much escapism as early EUROPE. These lyrics automatically ended up being more of a reflection of the times we live in today. Ever since 'One On One' was just a demo, we've stayed with it… never gave up on it, and elevated it to a place where it belongs: a high-flying, classic hard rock track.” — Joey Tempest
- “We always knew Peter loved rock music, and when his name came up it just felt right,” — Joey Tempest
- “He’s creative, musical and incredibly intuitive – he really became a sixth member of the band during the writing and recording of this album.” — Joey Tempest (about Tom Dalgety)
Tour and Live Plans
Europe will support the album with an extensive live schedule, including headline slots at Stonedead Festival (August 29) and indoor concerts in Glasgow, Wolverhampton, and London. The Final Countdown 40th-anniversary tour is positioned to bridge the band’s historic hits with the modern direction of Come This Madness, offering fans both nostalgia and fresh material.
Data Summary
- Album: Come This Madness (11 tracks)
- Release date: September 25 2026
- Formats: Vinyl, CD, digital
- Guest artists: Tobias Forge (Ghost), Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth)
- Producer: Tom Dalgety; Mixer: Mike Fraser
- Lead single: “One on One” (video starring Peter Stormare)
This release marks Europe’s first full-length studio effort in nine years, positioning the band within contemporary hard-rock while honoring their three-decade legacy.
