t © Rob Blackham 2026
Fast-rising South London rockers The Karma Effect have shared yet another absolute banger today in the shape of brand new single ‘Ride Or Die.’
The third track to be released from the five-piece’s much-anticipated forthcoming album ‘Cruel Intentions’ (out on 15th May via Earache Records), ‘Ride Or Die’ follows acclaimed singles ‘Waiting On A Miracle’ and ‘Dangerous Love,’ both of which were voted Track Of The Week by Classic Rock Magazine readers as well as receiving extensive airplay from the likes of Planet Rock Radio.
Watch the ‘Ride Or Die’ video here.
The promo video for ‘Ride Or Die’ was directed by Rhys Taylor of Milc Creative and The Karma Effect’s powerhouse vocalist Henry Gottelier says of the new single; “’Ride Or Die’ was one of the standout tracks when we came to put this record together. It took us into slightly different territory as a band, built around a more stripped-back, laid-back groove and a feel reminiscent of bands like AC/DC. We’ve always been careful not to lean too heavily in that direction, but this song felt so natural from the very beginning – it had our feet tapping almost instantly.
“At its core, it’s a song about freedom,” explains Henry. “The freedom to be who you want to be, do what you want to do, and not let anyone stand in your way. It captures the rush of teenage lust and love, the thrill of exploration and passion, but also the bigger picture – that life is a journey for every one of us, and sometimes you just need to buckle up and enjoy the ride.”
The Karma Effect have recently confirmed a new UK headline tour for this autumn.Tickets are on-sale here for the band’s ‘Cruel Intentions Album Tour’ – full list of dates is;
29 October Hastings, The Carlisle
30 October Norwich, Waterfront Studio
31 October Guildford, Boileroom
1 November Cambridge, Portland Arms
5 November Edinburgh, Bannermans
6 November Glasgow, Classic Grand
7 November Nottingham, Beta Rock City
8 November Crumlin, The Patriot
12 November Blackpool, Waterloo Music Bar
13 November Sheffield, Corporation
26 November Wolverhampton, KK’s Steel Mill
27 November London, Water Rats
5 December Gravesend, Leo’s Red Lion
The band also just announced further details of next month’s highly-anticipated third album ‘Cruel Intentions.’ The new record boasts eleven rollicking new anthems (or twelve if you cadge the bonus edition) and follows 2024’s surprise Top 20 hit ‘Promised Land’, an album that saw the band striding confidently into their role as one of British guitar music’s most exciting outfits.
The album is available to pre-order now across a number of CD, vinyl & digital formats, all featuring eleven rollicking new anthems (with a twelfth track, ‘Chasing Sunsets,’ added to the exclusive USB bonus edition format) – tracklisting is;
01 Ride or Die
02 Dangerous Love
03 Lady Bohemian
04 Raised on Rock ‘n’ Roll
05 Bad Manners
06 Closest Thing to Crazy
07 Waiting on a Miracle
08 Better Luck Next Time
09 Long Gone
10 Cruel Intentions
11 One More for the Road
‘Cruel Intentions’ is a collection which captures the visceral atmosphere of the band’s lauded live performances and is without a doubt the most complete, crystal clear realisation of the band’s ambitions yet: leaner, louder, heavier and joyously larger-than-life. Exploring notions of love, lust and danger, with dark passion and flashes of cheekiness, Gottelier’s new songs maintain a fine balance of swagger and wit, further advancing the band’s ‘modern vintage’ ethic – polishing up the retro sounds they were raised on into something gleaming and modern.
The Karma Effect are: Henry Gottelier (vocals, guitar), Robbie Blake (guitar), Nathan Keevil (bass), Alan Taylor (drums) & Tom Pitt (keyboard).
The Karma Effect’s new album ‘Cruel Intentions’ is out 15th May 2026 – it is available to pre-order now on signed editions, limited alt artwork editions, limited coloured vinyl & more whilst stocks last via the Earache store here.
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