Old Gods

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Old Gods
Studio album by
Released8 October 2021 (2021-10-08)
GenreAlternative metal
Length38:27
LabelADA, Warner
ProducerAdam Spark
Shihad chronology
FVEY
(2014)
Old Gods
(2021)
Singles from Old Gods
  1. "Tear Down Those Names"
    Released: 8 July 2021
  2. "Little Demons"
    Released: 30 July 2021
  3. "Feel the Fire"
    Released: 24 August 2021
  4. "Empire Falling"
    Released: 7 October 2021

Old Gods is the tenth studio album by New Zealand rock band Shihad, released on 8 October 2021. The album debuted at number one in New Zealand.

Production[edit]

Much of the album was inspired by Jon Toogood's experiences after his conversion to Islam, before his marriage to Dana Salih in Sudan in 2014, and the band's disgust at the rise of Conservative politicians in the world.[1][2] The song "Little Demons" was one of the first songs written for the album, inspired by a televised Australian political debate where a Liberal Party of Australia told an Aboriginal Australian woman to call the police when she experiences racist threats.[3]

Release and promotion[edit]

The album was announced on 8 July 2021, at the same time when the first single from Old Gods was released, "Tear Down Those Names".[1] This was followed by "Little Demons" on 30 July,[3] "Feel the Fire" in August[4] and "Empire Falling" on 7 October.[5]

The album was originally slated for release on 27 August,[1] however the album was postponed due to the 2021 COVID-19 lockdowns in New Zealand,[4] eventually released on 8 October.[6]

The album debuted at number one in New Zealand, scoring the band the record for New Zealand band with the most number one albums in history.[7]

The band intended to tour the album in Australia with a seven-date tour in October, and a planned five date tour of New Zealand in November,[3][2] however both were cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions in the countries.[8][9] Shihad held their This Is the Sound of an Empire Falling tour in New Zealand, performing four dates in September and October 2022.[10]

Track listing[edit]

All tracks are written by Jon Toogood, Karl Kippenberger, Phil Knight and Tom Larkin

Old Gods track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Tear Down Those Names"4:01
2."Old Gods"3:19
3."Mink Coat"4:04
4."The Hill Song"3:54
5."Feel the Fire"4:07
6."Little Demons"4:01
7."Empire Falling"3:37
8."Just Like You"4:17
9."Slow Dawning"3:47
10."The Wreckage"3:09
Total length:38:27

Credits and personnel[edit]

  • Tom Baker – mastering
  • Karl Kippenberger – bass, songwriting
  • Phil Knight – guitar, songwriting
  • Tom Larkin – drums, songwriting
  • Shihad – programming
  • Adam Spark – mixing, producer
  • Jon Toogood – guitar, songwriting

Charts[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Shihad Announce 10th Studio Album 'Old Gods'". new Zealand Music Commission. 8 July 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b Smithies, Grant (21 August 2021). "Shihad: Hear the anger, and the love". Stuff. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Shihad's new anthem Little Demons has dropped". Maniacs Online. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  4. ^ a b "New Song of the Day: Shihad – Feel The Fire". www.13thfloor.co.nz. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  5. ^ "New Aus Music Playlist – 08/10/21". Music Feeds. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  6. ^ Harris, Brenton (8 October 2021). "INTERVIEW - SHIHAD GUITARIST PHIL KNIGHT GOES DEEP ON 'OLD GODS', RIFFS AND TRYING TO LIVE UP TO AC/DC". Maniacs Online. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  7. ^ "SHIHAD'S NEW ALBUM 'OLD GODS' DEBUTS AT #1 AND MAKES CHART HISTORY". Warner Music. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  8. ^ Jenke, Tyler (14 December 2021). "Shihad Cancel 2022 Australian 'Old Gods' Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Jon Toogood: Shihad frontman on move back to NZ, postponed tour and in-studio performance". Newstalk ZB. 12 May 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  10. ^ C.C. (8 August 2022). "Shihad Announce Nationwide Tour of New Zealand". Under the Radar. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  11. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Shihad – Old Gods". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  12. ^ "Charts.nz – Shihad – Old Gods". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  13. ^ "Official Top 20 NZ Albums: End of Year Charts 2021". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 27 January 2022.