American pop legends Duran Duran have announced their 16th studio album «Danse Macabre», set for release on October 27th via Tape Modern (BMG).

Catalyzed by one special live performance that Duran Duran filmed in Las Vegas on October 31st of last year, «Danse Macabre» is the soundtrack to their ultimate Halloween party. Across 13 tracks the band unearth bright melodies from the darkness, threading together new songs, themed covers, and newly reimagined versions of their own ‘spooky’ classics.

Title track «Danse Macabre» is released August 30th as the first of three brand new songs. Anxious percussion sets the tempo against a distorted, growling synthesizer as Simon Le Bon’s swaggering verses give way to a handclap-laden and hypnotic hook. Teaming with producer Mr Hudson, channeling the chemistry they unlocked together on the «Paper Gods» album, the song also features former band-mate Warren Cuccurullo on guitar in his first collaboration with the band since 2001.

«The song ‘Danse Macabre’ celebrates the joy and madness of Halloween. It is the title track of our forthcoming album, which gathers together an unusual mix of cover versions, reworked Duran Duran songs and several new compositions. The idea was born out of a show we played in Las Vegas on October 31st, 2022. We had decided to seize the moment to create a unique, special event… the temptation of using glorious gothic visuals set to a dark soundtrack of horror and humor was simply irresistible. That evening inspired us to explore further and to make an album, using Halloween as the key theme. The record metamorphosed through a pure, organic process, and not only was it made faster than anything since our debut album, it has also resulted in something none of us could have ever predicted. Emotion, mood, style and attitude have always been at the heart of Duran Duran’s DNA, we search for light in the darkness and darkness in the light, and I feel we have somehow managed to capture the essence of all of that in this project.»

«It’s about a crazy Halloween party. It’s supposed to be fun!»

«After all these years, ‘Danse Macabre’ offers an interesting insight into the personality of the band. The music packs a real punch.»

«I hope you take a journey with us through the darker side of our inspirations into where we’re at in 2023. Maybe, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how Duran Duran got to this moment in time.»

Fans can also look forward to Duran Duran’s Halloween covers of Billie Eilish’s «Bury A Friend», Talking Heads’ «Psycho Killer» (feat. Victoria De Angelis of Måneskin), The Rolling Stones’ «Paint It Black», the Rick James-inspired «Super Lonely Freak», Siouxsie and the Banshees’ «Spellbound», Cerrone’s «Supernature» and The Specials’ «Ghost Town».

As well as Warren Cuccurullo, the album includes more special collaborations with former Duran Duran band member Andy Taylor, producer, guitarist and composer Nile Rodgers, Victoria De Angelis of Måneskin, and producers Josh Blair and Mr Hudson.

«Danse Macabre» is not just an album for Halloween. Elsewhere, «Black Moonlight» sees the band’s timeless song writing break into dance-rock glamor with the addition of Nile Rodgers and Andy Taylor on guitar, where epic coda «Confession In The Afterlife» finds Duran Duran reunited with producer Mr Hudson anew.

As well as a second collaboration with Warren Cuccurullo on «Love Voudou», «Danse Macabre» will feature newly recorded versions of «Nightboat» and fan favorite «Secret Oktober 31st» (both featuring Andy Taylor on guitar). The song made its first appearance as b-side to the 7” single «Union of The Snake» and is now, 40 years later, seeing its first ever physical release on a Duran Duran studio album.

The origin of «Danse Macabre» begins in Las Vegas, October 31st, 2022. Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor donned full fancy dress, cast a horde of ghouls on a stage complete with 20 foot high skeletons, tombstones, cobwebs and coffins. The set included a parade of rarities and special covers - Duran Duran’s first live performance of «Secret Oktober» since 2011, their first of «Love Voodoo» since 2017, and first of «Nightboat» since 2005. Covers of Siouxsie and the Banshees’ «Spellbound», Cerrone’s «Supernature» and The Specials’ «Ghost Town» were also debuted in what has gone down in Duran Duran history as a Halloween show for the ages. The band and their audience had so much fun that they decided to put the set to tape, creating a worldwide Halloween event for all Duran Duran fans to enjoy.

«Danse Macabre» will be released on October 27th via Tape Modern (BMG) with artwork featuring images adapted from a collection of authentic vintage séance photos sourced by Nick Rhodes at auction. It will be available on Black 2LP and CD, Limited Edition Translucent Galaxy 2LP and high res Blu-ray Audio.

Complete information about Duran Duran «Danse Macabre» tracklist and formats - here.

Info taken from official Duran Duran website.