“We talk about how rock ’n’ roll will never die, but we never really talk about how maybe the idea of the rock star should die": Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes share new single, album news and world tour plans

(Image credit: International Death Cult / AWAL)

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes have thrown fans a curveball with the release of a southern gothic-tinged ballad as the first taster of their forthcoming fifth album Dark Rainbow.

The single, Man of the Hour, pivots around the idea of rock stardom and where it fits in 2023, as Carter explains.

“We talk about how rock and roll will never die," he eleborates, “but we never really talk about how maybe the idea of the rock star should die. The whole concept and what it means has always been this glamorised moment, but ultimately when I put that suit on, it didn’t go very well for me.”

"I'm just witnessing the world change so quickly and I’m still trying to come to terms with who I am and what the authentic version of me is. By giving people what I thought they wanted I think I got further and further away from who I actually am.”

Watch the video for Man of the Hour below:

The 11-track Dark Rainbow will be released on January 26 via International Death Cult/AWAL. The album tracklist is:

1. Money
2. Man Of The Hour
3. Can I Take You Home
4. American Spirit
5. Happier Days
6. Brambles
7. Queen of Hearts
8. Sun Bright Golden Happening
9. Superstar
10. Self Love
11. A Dark Rainbow

Carter believes that this is the most authentic album he’s ever made, and that stems from he and his bandmates getting to know themselves and each other.

“We've lived a lot of life together,” Carter says. “A lot has rested on our shoulders. In a creative sense that’s a beautiful thing.”

In the wake of the album's release, the band will be embarking on their biggest tour to date, with headline shows in the UK, Europe, Australia and USA.

The UK dates, which go on sale on October 6, are:

Feb 06: The Great Hall, Cardiff
Feb 07: O2 Academy, Bristol
Feb 09: Academy, Manchester
Feb 10: Northumbria Uni Student's Union, Newcastle
Feb 11: Barrowland, Glasgow
Feb 13: O2 Academy, Leeds
Feb 14: Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton
Feb 15: Roundhouse, London
Feb 16: Roundhouse, London

The full world tour details are available on the band's website.

A music writer since 1993, formerly Editor of Kerrang! and Planet Rock magazine (RIP), Paul Brannigan is a Contributing Editor to Louder. Having previously written books on Lemmy, Dave Grohl (the Sunday Times best-seller This Is A Call) and Metallica (Birth School Metallica Death, co-authored with Ian Winwood), his Eddie Van Halen biography (Eruption in the UK, Unchained in the US) emerged in 2021. He has written for Rolling Stone, Mojo and Q, hung out with Fugazi at Dischord House, flown on Ozzy Osbourne's private jet, played Angus Young's Gibson SG, and interviewed everyone from Aerosmith and Beastie Boys to Young Gods and ZZ Top. Born in the North of Ireland, Brannigan lives in North London and supports The Arsenal.