1914

The Ukrainian blackened-death formation 1914 returns with relentless power on their fourth studio album, Viribus Unitis. The title – Latin for "With united forces" – is much more than a historical reference to the personal motto of Franz Joseph I, Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. It reflects the band's resilience in the face of war, loss, and upheaval – a powerful symbol of survival and solidarity. Viribus Unitis, which will be released on November 14, 2025, via Napalm Records, builds on the band's acclaimed conceptual approach and delves even deeper into emotional and musical intensity. 1914 continues their chronicle of World War I, shifting their focus somewhat from the raw depiction of death and destruction to themes such as camaraderie, endurance, and the emotional landscape of those who had to endure the horrors. While earlier releases like The Blind Leading the Blind (2018) and Where Fear and Weapons Meet (2021) centered on the futility and finality of war, Viribus Unitis explores the human bonds forged in fire and the strength of those who returned: broken, changed, but still alive.