DARKNESS & FRIENDS - Death Squad 2025 (Official Video)

40 Years of Thrash, One Legendary Anthem Reborn

German thrash metal wouldn’t be the same without Darkness. Formed in 1984 in the Ruhrpott, the band carved their name into the scene with a string of explosive releases during the golden era of Teutonic thrash. Among them, Death Squad (1987) stood as a defining statement — raw, relentless, and furious. Now, nearly four decades later, Darkness have resurrected their most iconic track for a new generation: Death Squad (2025).

But this isn’t just a re-recording. This is DARKNESS & FRIENDS — a massive thrash gathering that unites past members and some of the heaviest names in the underground and beyond.

The Darkness lineup today:

• Lee – Vocals

• Arnd – Guitar

• Dominik – Guitar

• Ben – Bass

• Lacky – Drums

And the Friends: an all-star roster including Bruno and Pierre from the band’s original days, scene legends like Ventor and Mille from Kreator, Tony & York from Sodom, Piotr Wiwczarek from Vader, Hellbutcher from Nifelheim, Ryan Waste from Municipal Waste, and many more. Even Darkness’ former tech, producers, and thrash comrades from Traitor, Smorrah, Teutonic Slaughter, Messiah, Fueled By Fire, Warrant, and others have joined forces in this celebration.

The result is more than a reimagining — it’s a tribute to 40 years of thrash metal history. Death Squad (2025) retains the grit and fury of the original, but with a fresh injection of power, precision, and camaraderie. It’s a reminder of why Ruhrpott thrash has always stood shoulder to shoulder with the Bay Area and remains one of the most influential forces in metal.

The official video drives it all home, showcasing the unity of the thrash community: old friends, new blood, and eternal riffs colliding in a firestorm of speed and aggression.

🔥 Death Squad lives again. Thrash never dies.