The Darkness explore how “the life of an artist is gruelling endeavour” on resilient new single ‘Walking Through Fire’

The Darkness have shared a new single called ‘Walking Through Fire’, which explores the “gruelling” aspects of being an artist. Check it out below.

• READ MORE: In praise of The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins’ genius YouTube channel

Shared today (February 24), the new track marks the latest preview of the band’s forthcoming album ‘Dreams On Toast’. Set for release on March 28 – and available to pre-order here – the record has already seen singles  ‘The Longest Kiss’, ‘Rock And Roll Party Cowboy’ and ‘I Hate Myself’ shared.

Now, Justin Hawkins and co. have shown another angle of the forthcoming release, dropping the uplifting track ‘Walking Through Fire’.

With the single, the band hone in on the sound of the iconic rock singers of the ‘70s, and pair it with modern production, massive riffs and tongue-in-cheek lyrics.

“Our next long player, it’s coming out soon / I’ll be honest, I’m under the moon / We’re only doing this‚ ‘cause it’s fun / Don’t even think my mum bought the last one,” Hawkins sings before bursting into the chorus: “I can’t help falling in love with rock and roll.”

Recalling the inspiration for the single, the frontman said: “The life of an artist is a gruelling endeavour, leavened with rare moments of shining success. We wade through sweet treacle every day, to make things for others to love.

“For we chosen few, this is akin to climbing a mountain for the glorious view, whilst studiously avoiding looking at the discarded condom that has attached itself to our stylish yet practical hiking footwear,” he added. “To rephrase in less oblique tones, nothing worthwhile is ever easy, and that is why we, The Darkness, are WALKING THROUGH FIRE… thinking of you.”

Check out the song, along with a new music video, above.

As for the record as a whole, ‘Dreams On Toast’ is produced by Dan Hawkins, and is described in a new press release as one that “flawlessly captures The Darkness at their peak, celebrating their influences and strengthening their sound, while also embarking on avenues never before heard from the band.”

Next month, The Darkness are set to embark on a UK headline tour, with the dates beginning at Ipswich’s Regent’s Theatre and ending with a gig at the OVO Arena Wembley in London on March 29. Find any remaining tickets here for the tour here.

The band will then embark on a number of shows across Europe, and head back to the UK this summer for a slot at Download Festival 2025.

In other news, Hawkins has locked in a guest appearance on The Stylistics’ first new album in nearly two decades. He contributed to the upcoming record’s opening and title track, ‘Falling In Love With My Girl’, and other names who have collaborated on the record include The Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood, ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons, KISS’ Gene Simmons and Steve Lukather of Toto.

The post The Darkness explore how “the life of an artist is gruelling endeavour” on resilient new single ‘Walking Through Fire’ appeared first on NME.