SCANDAL have announced that they will release their first-ever full length album from their private label her, entitled Kiss from the darkness, on February 12, 2020. This marks the band’s ninth album in total and two years since the release of their last, HONEY. They will promote the album with a 19-date hall tour in March.

Regular Edition CD Cover

The new record from Japan’s biggest all-female rock band contains 11 songs in total, including all the singles they have released from their private label her: Masterpiece, Mabataki, Fuzzy, and Saishuheiki Kimi.

Speaking about the new album, vocalist HARUNA commented: “I believe people have perceived our new songs as us having challenged ourselves to new things and having experimental parts, but that’s not really it. I can say with full confidence that this is seriously our best material yet. The creative energy from the four of us is just bursting at the seams.”

RINA, the band’s drummer and the member who has written a lot of the song lyrics, commented on the theme of the record: “The ups and downs in our hearts, our strengths, and our weaknesses all serve as seeds to our music and turn into songs. ‘No matter what, everything will be okay. Things will work out.’ That’s the kind of message we put into the title Kiss from the darkness.’

Limited Pressing Edition CD Cover

The album’s cover art was designed by collage artist Q-TA who also worked on the band’s CD artwork for their March single Masterpiece/Mabataki. Speaking about the new pieces, Q-TA commented: “I added a sense of the girls’ innocence which is hidden away inside all of the aggression. I wanted to express not only what’s on the outside, but the inside too.”

First Press Limited Edition A CD Cover

First Press Limited Edition B CD Cover

The album will be released in four editions: the Regular Edition, First Press Limited Edition A & B, and Limited Pressing Edition. Limited Edition A copies include a DVD featuring a documentary covering the band’s journey over the past year since establishing their private label her. B copies include volume 2 of the “her Magazine,” the first of which was included with their Masterpiece/Mabataki single and was thoroughly enjoyed by fans.

Limited Pressing Edition copies include a DVD featuring a collection of the band’s music videos and a t-shirt featuring the cover artworkーall packaged in a beautiful box. If you pre-order the album in Japan now, you can also get an original folder; and depending where you order from, each store has their own individual bonus items you can get your hands on.

SCANDAL will kick off their 19-date tour at Atsugi City Cultural Hall in Kanagawa on March 7, 2020. They will wrap it up with two shows at the Orix Theater in Osaka on March 5 and 6. More details below and on the band’s official website.