The Gems announce new album ‘Year Of The Snake’

November 25, 2025 James Weaver

THE GEMS have announced a brand new album!

Titled Year Of The Snake, the second full-length from the Swedish hard rock trio is scheduled to be released on March 13th, 2026 via Napalm Records. The record serves as the follow-up to their 2024 debut Phoenix.

Speaking about the upcoming album, the band shares, “Year Of The Snake is about facing previous hardships in your life, letting go and moving forward to a brighter chapter. It’s packed with strong and empowering themes, just like a snake shedding its skin and now standing strong in its own power!

Year Of The Snake is a homage to our fans at our live shows. We wrote the songs envisioning an excited festival crowd; from our loyal diamonds in the front row, knowing all lyrics by heart – to the crazy headbangers in the back. The album is packed with VAN HALEN and EUROPE-inspired hard-hitting grooves and riffs that will take you back to the 80s. Yet, the production is modern and fresh. In an increasingly artificial world, we want to stay true to our roots – solid musicianship and songwriting from the heart. Our aim is to always create a great sounding album with the live show in mind. The future is live and heavy glam rock is here to stay!”

Alongside the album announcement, the band have released a new single, Hot Bait. The new song is the second single to be released from the upcoming album, following on from the title track which was released Speaking about the song, the band says, “Hot Bait is a playful shuffle track in a ZZ TOP-oozing vibe about our days as single ladies. It’s the excitement of when you finally get what you want, told from a foodie’s perspective. Cause food is always better than sex :P”

Watch the official lyric video for Hot Bait here: