We Stood Like Kings unleash ‘Assassins’ ahead of new concept album Pinocchio

Belgian post-rock collective We Stood Like Kings return with ‘Assassins’, the first glimpse of their forthcoming sixth album, Pinocchio, arriving April 10 via Kapitän Platte.

Marking their first new material in four years, ‘Assassins’ sets the tone for an ambitious nine-track, 50-minute record that reinterprets the classic tale of Pinocchio through a far darker perspective. Rather than focusing on whimsy or innocence, the band delve into themes of deception, manipulation and shifting power dynamics.

Running just over four minutes, the single wastes no time establishing its intensity. Crushing, post-metal-inspired guitar work collides with thunderous percussion, while a sweeping, emotionally charged piano performance anchors the chaos. The track balances ferocity with elegance, showcasing the group’s signature blend of cinematic atmosphere and weighty instrumentation.

Pianist Judith Hoorens describes the new era as a reinvention, calling it “We Stood Like Kings 2.0.” With 15 years behind them, the band appear to be refining their sound rather than reinventing it entirely, sharpening their attack while preserving the poetic sensibility that has defined their catalogue to date.