# Despised Icon Release ‘Death Of An Artist’

**New Music** — On Your Markus  
**Published:** 15 September 2025  
**Author:** Markus Hamence  
**Source:** https://onyourmarkus.au/new-music-releases/despised-icon-release-death-of-an-artist/

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**DESPISED ICON Release Music Video For New Single ‘Death Of An Artist’**

![Despised Icon band logo in jagged black lettering against white background.](https://media.onyourmarkus.au/originals/30025/Unknown.jpeg)

Canadian deathcore pioneers **DESPISED ICON** return with their seventh full-length album, ***Shadow Work ***which will be released on October 31, 2025 via **Nuclear Blast Records**. Their first new music in six years, the album stands as the band’s most fine-tuned and dynamic effort to date, balancing relentless speed, crushing grooves, and morbid melodies, while remaining true to their signature blend of extreme death metal and hardcore grit. 

Driven by **DESPISED ICON**‘s trademark fusion of explosive blast beats and crushing breakdowns, ‘**Death of an Artist**‘ is a merciless journey through the psychological turmoil of self-doubt, ego death, and rebirth. Defined by raw intensity and unyielding resolve, the lyrics follow a powerful journey of transformation: an artist confronts fading dreams and broken promises before emerging stronger through ruin and redemption. Watch the music video directed by **Jessy Fuchs**,here: **[https://youtu.be/cgbhoxa2sAc](https://nuclearblast.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f52be22febdeb73950b267672&id=c407c4d29a&e=8eb7da516a)**

**DESPISED ICON**‘s **Alex Erian** comments, *“We promised a rollercoaster with this record, and it’s time to deliver. Where ‘Over My Dead Body’ leaned into crushing grooves and dissonance, ‘Death Of An Artist’ pushes the pedal down with pure speed and technicality. This one is not only my favorite track on the album, it’s also the most personal. You can hear the echoes of the classic Death Metal bands that shaped us running through some of these riffs. We’re just getting started. Thanks for listening.”*

Pre-order/pre-save ***Shadow Work***:   
**[https://despisedicon.bfan.link/shadow-work](https://nuclearblast.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f52be22febdeb73950b267672&id=c27a216f37&e=8eb7da516a)**

Stream ‘**Death Of An Artist**‘: **[https://despisedicon.bfan.link/death-of-an-artist](https://nuclearblast.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f52be22febdeb73950b267672&id=4c8dd9c749&e=8eb7da516a)**

[Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/embed/cgbhoxa2sAc)

***Shadow Work ***was produced by the band’s own **Alex Erian** and **Eric Jarrin**, while **Christian Donaldson** (**CRYPTOPSY**, **SHADOW OF INTENT**, **SIGNS OF THE SWARM**) handled mixing and mastering. The album marks a significant chapter for a band whose core lineup has remained largely unchanged since its inception. It’s a deeply introspective record that reflects both personal growth and the turbulence of the world around us. The artwork for the album was created by **Eliran Kantor** (**HATEBREED**, **THY ART IS MURDER**, **CAVALERA**).

![Distressed figure with open mouth clawing at own head against deep red background with "Shadow Work" and "Despised Icon" text.](https://media.onyourmarkus.au/originals/30021/image006-1.jpg)

**Shadow Work** Tracklisting:

1. Shadow Work  
2. **[Over My Dead Body](https://nuclearblast.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f52be22febdeb73950b267672&id=dd4752ff5a&e=8eb7da516a)**  
3. **[Death Of An Artist](https://youtu.be/cgbhoxa2sAc)**  
4. Corpse Pose  
5. The Apparition  
6. Reaper  
7. In Memoriam  
8. Omen Of Misfortune  
9. Obsessive Compulsive Disaster  
10. ContreCoeur  
11. Fallen Ones

**DESPISED ICON’**s line-up is:

**Alex Erian** | Vocals  
**Steve Marois **| Vocals  
**Eric Jarrin** | Guitars  
**Ben Landreville **| Guitars  
**Sébastien Piché** | Bass  
**Alex “Grind” Pelletier** | Drums

![Despised Icon album artwork featuring a distressed figure with hands raised against a dark red background, displayed alongside vinyl and CD formats.](https://media.onyourmarkus.au/originals/30022/image005-2.jpg)