Manic Street Preachers are set to release new album ‘Resistance is Futile’ in April 2018.
The Welsh rock trio – Nicky Wire, James Dean Bradfield and Sean Moore – surprised fans with the announcement of their first full record in four years – the follow-up to 2014’s acclaimed LP ‘Futurology’ – and a 2018 UK arena tour on Friday morning (17.11.17).
The ‘Design For Life’ hitmakers teased that their 13th effort will be a return to the band’s "obsessively melodic" roots, apparent on records such as 1996’s ‘Everything Must Go’ and 1992’s ‘Generation Terrorists’.
The group say they experienced a "surge of creativity" in recent months, which enabled them to finish the songs off after struggling to find a new studio.
A statement by the band reads: "The main themes of ‘Resistance is Futile’ are memory and loss; forgotten history; confused reality and art as a hiding place and inspiration.
"It’s obsessively melodic – in many ways referencing both the naive energy of ‘Generation Terrorists’ and the orchestral sweep of ‘Everything Must Go’.
"After delay and difficulties getting started, the record has come together really quickly over the last few months through a surge of creativity and some old school hard work."
The record – which they made at their Newport recording space Door to the River – comes as a surprise as bassist and lyricist Nicky recently admitted he was unsure if they’d release another full album.
Speaking about how they had lost their music-making mojo, he said: "It sapped us of our creative juices. It’s really frightening actually because I just don’t know [if we’ll have another record]. It’s hard to see one coming out at the moment."
However, hope was not all lost as the 48-year-old musician teased that new music could still be on the way should they feel inspired to complete it.
He added: "We might have a surge over the next few weeks and chuck something out. You never know."
‘Resistance in Futile’ will be released on April 6, and the band will kick off their tour in Newcastle on April 23, before wrapping up near to home in Cardiff, South Wales on May 5.
Manic Street Preachers 2018 tour dates are as follows:
23 April NEWCASTLE, Metro Radio Arena
25 April GLASGOW, The SSE Hydro Arena
27 April BIRMINGHAM, Arena
28 April MANCHESTER, Arena
1 May LLANDUDNO, Venue Cymru Arena
2 May LEEDS, First Direct Arena
4 May LONDON, The SSE Arena Wembley
5 May CARDIFF, Motorpoint Arena