Right then, butt… strap in, crack open a cold one, and prepare for some proper rock ‘n’ roll chaos — because Europe have just gone and dropped a bombshell that’s got the whole scene buzzing 🤯
The Swedish icons are BACK with their 12th studio album Come This Madness, landing this September… and they’re not coming quietly. Oh no. They’ve invited some absolute heavy hitters along for the ride 😈
👑 THE GUEST LIST IS FILTHY (IN THE BEST WAY)
This isn’t just an album announcement… this is a Scandi supergroup energy moment:
- 🎭 Tobias Forge (the masked mastermind behind Ghost)
- 🎸 Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth fame
I mean… come on. That’s not a feature list — that’s a festival headline clash crammed into one record 🔥
⚡ WHAT’S THE VIBE THEN?
Let’s be real for a second — Europe could’ve just coasted forever on legacy status and still packed arenas.
But nah… these lads have been quietly building a grittier, heavier, blues-soaked sound over the years — and now they’re about to throw:
👉 Ghost’s theatrical darkness into the mix
👉 Opeth’s prog wizardry and emotional depth
👉 Classic Europe swagger and massive hooks
Translation?
This thing could go OFF.
💿 ALBUM DETAILS (SO FAR)
- Title: Come This Madness
- Release Date: September 2026
- Guests: Forge & Åkerfeldt (aka chaos merchants of the highest order)
No tracklist yet, no singles (as of now)… just pure anticipation building like a drop before a breakdown 😤
🎤 RIFF REPORT TAKE
This isn’t just another album cycle — this feels like Europe stepping back into the ring swinging.
We’re talking:
🔥 Potentially their heaviest modern-era record
🔥 A crossover moment for rock, metal, and prog fans
🔥 Tracks that are gonna hit HARD live (festival crowds, get ready 👀)
And let’s be honest — seeing these influences collide could give us some seriously weird, wild, and wonderful moments.
🍺 FINAL WORD – GET READY FOR MADNESS
September’s shaping up nicely, isn’t it?
Between the legacy of Europe and the sheer creative madness of their guests, Come This Madness already feels like one of those albums you have to hear the second it drops.
Now the real question is…
👉 Are we getting arena rock anthems?
👉 Dark theatrical bangers?
👉 A full-blown prog curveball that melts our brains?
Whatever happens — we’re in. Front row. Pint in hand. Voice already gone. 🤘🍺
YESS MUN — THIS ONE’S GONNA BE BIG.
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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