Ded are back and they are firing an opening salvo with their ferociously gritty new single “Rockstar.” The track is a welcome return for the band, who released their second full length, School of Thought, in October 2021.
DED ain’t got no time for that rock star bullshit, and the song makes that point with razor sharp riffs, industrial crunch, and Cotela’s guttural vocals, which will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.
The band is also revitalized by signing with indie powerhouse UNFD, home to ERRA, Crossfaith, In Hearts Wake, Invent Animate, and more.
“In a way, our new song ‘Rockstar’ could serve as the ‘Anti-Rockstar’ mentality anthem,” says vocalist Joe Cotela. “I’m not going to drop examples or point fingers about this topic to pigeonhole it. But I will simply say that I am personally drawn to and enjoy genuine and authentic music created genuine and authentic people. I have always been connected with stoicism and humbleness in all facets of life. To be clear, I am not against success, certain aesthetics, making money, or becoming popular if it is done correctly. Music is sacred to me, it’s my community, my religion, my vessel, my friend, my psychologist at times, and my safe place of artistic expression to get lost in. I respect it and appreciate it too much to watch it be exploited and used cheaply like it is sometimes by certain people with cringe vibes.”
He continues, “The boys gave me some of the grooviest and heaviest music that we have ever done in DED for me to get down on and I couldn’t be more confident and proud of this unfiltered direction of our band. We have been away for a while but we are definitely back and we are bringing hell with us.”