Billy Talent deep into writing process

Billy Talent are deep into the follow-up to their last full studio outing Dead Silence, they’ve confirmed.

Last month they launched Hits, a 14-track recording charting their career so far, which included two new tracks. Now frontman Benjamin Kowalewicz says they’re writing more fresh material for a new release and describes the process as a “new chapter” for the band.

He tells Canoe.ca: “I think we have seven to nine songs that we’re flirting with at this point. It’s been a really fun and nostalgic process putting this whole Hits thing together but I’m really excited to get down to something brand new – a new chapter.”

They released new track Kingdom Of Zod last month and Kowalewicz says they wrote it following the death of drummer Aaron Solowoniuk’s brother.

He adds: “It was awful and it shattered us. Through that, guitarist Ian D’Sa ended up writing this acoustic kind of song and sent it to us. I just remember it moved me to tears. We’ve never done that before in our 21 years.

“It’s perfect because Kingdom of Zod is kind of a representation of where we’re at that we can still throw down but there’s also this whole other side of us that we are exploring as well.”

Hits tracklist

  1. Try Honesty 2. River Below 3. Nothing To Lose 4. Devil In A Midnight Mass 5. Red Flag 6. Fallen Leaves 7. Surrender 8. Devil On My Shoulder 9. Rusted From The Rain 10. Viking Death march 11. Surprise Surprise 12. Stand Up And Run 13. Kingdom Of Zod 14. Chasing The Sun
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Scott has spent 36 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 11 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.