Takeda channel anger, betrayal, and emotional release into “Lion’s Den,” the visceral first single from their upcoming second album.
Norwich folk-grunge pioneers Takeda make their return with “Lion’s Den,” out September 25, 2026, via Drongo Records. The visceral new single offers the first glimpse of their forthcoming second studio album, due in 2027.
Since forming in 2022, the band has built a sound that refuses easy categorization. Takeda combines intricate British and American folk techniques with crushing riffs, fuzz-heavy guitars, and grunge-inspired breakdowns. Their music also draws from Bert Jansch’s fingerpicking style, creating a striking contrast between delicate instrumentation and heavy rock.
Turning Anger Into Release
“Lion’s Den” explores the emotional aftermath of leaving a doomsday cult. Vocalist and songwriter Josh Harrison drew heavily from his own experiences when shaping the band’s music.
Takeda’s debut album, In Venus’ Train, documented Harrison’s painful journey away from that world. The new single takes a different perspective. Instead of focusing on escape, it confronts the anger, resentment, manipulation, and betrayal that followed.
Harrison describes the track as his first song written entirely from a place of anger. He says the emotion gradually built as he wrote. The songwriting process eventually gave him a way to release feelings he had kept buried beneath shame.
Produced by Grammy-nominated producer David Pye, “Lion’s Den” delivers one of Takeda’s most direct and emotionally charged recordings. Birdwitch vocalist Raya Mhari-Iglesias also contributes additional vocals.
A Sound All Their Own
Takeda deliberately avoids sounding like another band. Harrison explains that whenever the group can clearly connect a new idea to another artist’s music, they often lose interest in it. Instead, the band continues to push toward a sound that feels distinctly their own.
That approach has shaped their unusual blend of folk and heavy music. The result feels both familiar and unpredictable, with traditional songwriting meeting distorted guitars and explosive arrangements.
Following the single’s release, Takeda will take “Lion’s Den” on the road. The band will perform across the UK throughout September and October, bringing their intense live sound to audiences ahead of their second album.
Experience Takeda’s raw blend of folk and grunge and stream “Lion’s Den” now.
Press Release
