German gothic metal pioneers Crematory have announced the release of their Greatest Hits album, set to arrive on 15 May via ROAR – A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music. Marking 35 years of the band's influential career, the collection will be available as an expansive three‑CD edition as well as limited double‑vinyl formats.
The 3‑CD set comprises English Hymns (CD1), Deutsche Hymnen (CD2), and Engulfed In Darkness Demo (CD3). The vinyl editions will be issued as a neon‑green double LP (English Hymns) and a turquoise double LP (Deutsche Hymnen).
Alongside the announcement, the band have unveiled a new video single, "Born". Built around the haunting refrain "I was born in a wrong time / wrong world" and driven by heavy guitars and atmospheric synth layers, the track captures the emotional depth that has long defined Crematory's sound.
Frontman Felix Stass explains: "'Born' is about feeling out of place in your own time and world. It's for everyone who has ever felt they don't belong - yet keeps standing".
Formed in 1991 in Mannheim, Germany, Crematory have become one of the most enduring and influential acts in European gothic metal. Over more than three decades, they have evolved from their early death‑metal roots into a distinctive blend of heavy riffs, melodic keyboards, industrial textures, and contrasting vocal styles.
Throughout their career, the band have explored themes of life, pain, introspection, and atmosphere, often combining deep growls with clean vocals to create a sound that is both powerful and haunting. Their rise in the 1990s brought them widespread recognition across Europe through relentless touring and appearances at festivals.
The forthcoming Greatest Hits album reflects the band's bilingual legacy, gathering key tracks from across their catalogue in both English and German. It also includes their earliest demo recordings, offering fans a comprehensive retrospective of Crematory's long and influential journey.
To support the release, the band will embark on an extensive European tour throughout 2026 (see dates below).
With 35 years of history, countless tours, and a legacy that helped shape European gothic, death, and industrial metal, Greatest Hits stands as both a celebration of Crematory's past and a powerful reminder that the band remain as vital as ever. Link
Greatest Hits tracklist:
English Hymns LP:
The Eyes Of Suffering
Shadows Of Mine
Tears Of Time
Lost In Myself
For Love
Fly
The Fallen
Greed
Pray
Shadowmaker
Ravens Calling
Rise and Fall
Inglorious Darkness
Destination
The Future Is A Lonely Place
Born (Exclusive Bonus Track)
Wrong Side of the Mirror (Exclusive Bonus Track)
Deutsche Hymnen LP:
Ist Es Wahr
Ewigkeit
Tick Tack
Kaltes Feuer
Höllenbrand
Kein Liebeslied
Auf Der Flucht
Haus mit Garten
Falsche Tränen
Kommt Näher
Virus
Tränen der Zeit
Trümmerwelten
Welt Aus Glas
Das Letzte Ticket
Blind (Exclusive Bonus Track)
Flammenmeer (Exclusive Bonus Track)
* Crematory tour dates 2026:
25.04. – Hartenrod, DE – Hinterland Metal Meeting
01.05. – Andernach, DE – Metal Days Festival
02.05. – Bad Friedrichshall, DE – Lemmys Bar & Liveclub
14.05. – Mannheim, DE – 7er Club
15.05. – Erfurt, DE – From Hell
16.05. – Zwickau, DE – Club Seilerstrasse
17.05. – Potsdam, DE – Lindenpark
22.05. – Oberhausen, DE – Kulttempel
04.06. – Selb, DE – Rock Club
05.06. – Salzburg, AT – Rock House
07.06. – Pilsen, CZ – Metal Fest
25.06. – Oschersleben, DE – Metal Dayz Festival
26.06. – Leipzig, DE – Hellraiser
04.07. – Mülheim / Ruhr, DE – Castle Rock Festival
31.07. – Wacken, DE – Wacken Open Air
22.08. – Pindelo Dos Milagres, PT – MMOA Festival
28.08. – Barcelona, ES – Ripollet Rock Festival
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"You know, the music and songs just come, and we don't distance ourselves from the music that comes out." - Jyrki 69
"Art isn't meant to always be pretty and make us feel comfortable and good about ourselves. I'm not afraid to broach difficult emotions and to express the beautiful ones too." - Martin Saint
"We only make an album when we feel genuinely inspired. You can't just say, "OK, I'm going to record a new album", because without inspiration, it would be boring." - Gregor Mackintosh
"I'm quite obsessive, and when I work on music, I can overwork and get myself in trouble. I always had a breakdown when I finished an album, because I drove myself to the brink." - Mick Moss
