Colorado thrash practitioners Havok have announced their signing with BLKIIBLK and officially began their new label campaign with the release of the searing first single, "Fifth Generation Warfare."
The track marks the band's return following their 2024 EP release, New Eyes and signals the start of the band's long-awaited next chapter following the 2020 full length, V. The arrival of the first single on BLKIIBLK also showcases the band's latest configuration, with the addition of Havok's new guitarist, Brett Rechtfertig.
The band explained the enthusiam in working with their new team, "We’re excited to sign with a new label that is hungry and eager to make a name for themselves, while still being led by a seasoned veteran. The music we’re releasing with BLKIIBLK is a continuation of HAVOK’s history of fast and tight heavy metal and we can’t wait for everyone to hear what we’ve been working on."
The band further explained the weight of this first offering, "'Fifth Generation Warfare' is the first release with our new guitarist, Brett Rechtfertig. The song showcases a wide variety of HAVOK sounds; incorporating guitar harmonies, punk attitude, pummeling drums, bass lines that deviate from the guitar parts, and a message about a gnarly topic, while still leaning into optimism. A lot of HAVOK lyrics discuss negative topics, but we always try to put a positive spin on things."
BLKIIBLK Label Head Mike Gitter spoke about the signing and the optimism of the forecast, "BLKIIBLK is proud to chart a new chapter for thrash metal as an international force with HAVOK. [HAVOK leader] David Sanchez continues to reenergize his music with the ferocity, technicality, and incisive lyrical word-fare that makes HAVOK not just accolytes but masters of their steely game."
In addition to working on their label debut, Havok will be relentless on the road in the coming months. Havok will join Killswitch Engage, Machine Head and Iron Reagan next month for an extensive summer trek across North America. The band will then trek to Latin America before leaving to Europe for a run with Blood Red Throne, Xonor and Eradikated. A current list of dates and cities can be found below.
"Fifth Generation Warfare," the new single from Havok is now available via BLKIIBLK. Get the release - HERE
HAVOK TOUR DATES
w/ Killswitch Engage, Machine Head and Iron Reagan
June 1, 2026 - Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge*
June 2, 2026 - St. Louis, MO @ Fubar*
June 3, 2026 - Detroit, MI @ Fillmore
June 5, 2026 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fillmore
June 6, 2026 - Milwaukee, WI @ Milwaukee Metal Fest
June 7, 2026 - South Bend, IN @ Four Winds Field
June 9, 2026 - Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz
June 11, 2026 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount
June 12, 2026 - Boston, MA @ Roadrunner
June 13, 2026 - Bethlehem, PA @ Wind Creek Event Center
June 14, 2026 - Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819**
June 16, 2026 - Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
June 17, 2026 - Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
June 19, 2026 - Dallas, TX @ South Side Ballroom
June 20, 2026 - Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Center
June 21, 2026 - San Antonio, TX @ Boeing Center at Tech Port
June 23, 2026 - Albuquerque, NM @ Revel Entertainment Center
June 24, 2026 - Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee
June 25, 2026 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
June 26, 2026 - Bakersfield, CA @ Temblor Brewing*
June 27, 2026 - San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
*Havok w/ local support
**Havok & Iron Reagan
Latin America 2026
July 2, 2026 - Mexico City, Mexico @ Fu*k Off Room
July 3, 2026 - Mexico City, Mexico @ Fu*k Off Room
July 4, 2026 - San Salvador, El Salvador @ Simmer Down
July 5, 2026 - San José, Costa Rica @ Mercado La California
July 9, 2026 - Montevideo, Uruguay @ Sala Live Era
July 10, 2026 - Buenos Aires, Argentina @ The Roxy Club
July 11, 2026 - Santiago, Chile @ Sala RBX
July 13, 2026 - São Paulo, Brazil @ Manifesto
w/ Blood Red Throne, Xonor and Eradikated
September 10, 2026 - Frankfurt, Germany @ Das Bett
September 11, 2026 - Bochum, Germany @ Matrix
September 12, 2026 - Eindhoven, Netherlands @ Dynamo
September 13, 2026 - Brussels, Belgium @ Botanique
September 15, 2026 - Bristol, UK @ The Fleece
September 16, 2026 - Nottingham, UK @ Rescue Rooms
September 17, 2026 - Dublin, Ireland @ Whelans
September 18, 2026 - Manchester, UK @ Rebellion
September 19, 2026 - London, UK @ The Dome
September 21, 2026 - Paris, France @ Petit Bain
September 22, 2026 - Nantes, France @ Ferrailleur
September 23, 2026 - Madrid, Spain @ Revi Live
September 24, 2026 - Barcelona, Spain @ Salamandra
September 25, 2026 - Lyon, France @ O Totem
September 26, 2026 - Aarau, Switzerland @ Kiff
September 27, 2026 - Milan, Italy @ Lime Club
September 29, 2026 - München, Germany @ Backstage
September 30, 2026 - Budapest, Hungary @ Durer Kert
October 1, 2026 - Prague, Czech Republic @ Futurum
October 2, 2026 - Warsaw, Poland @ Hydrozagadka
October 4, 2026 - Berlin, Germany @ SO36
October 5, 2026 - Hamburg, Germany @ Logo
October 6, 2026 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ Stengade
October 7, 2026 - Oslo, Norway @ John Dee
October 8, 2026 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Kollektivet Livet
October 10, 2026 - Helsinki, Finland @ Ääniwalli
