BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE Unleash Ferocious New Single ‘Scissormouth’ Ahead Of Upcoming Album ‘Lore’

British heavy rock trio Black Orchid Empire return with their explosive new single “Scissormouth,” released February 13th, as they build momentum toward their forthcoming album Lore, set to drop on May 8th, 2026 via Year Of The Rat Records. Known for crafting huge, memorable rock anthems that fuse heavy-hitting savagery with soaring melodic beauty, the band continue to sharpen their dynamic sound with their fifth single from the upcoming record.

“Scissormouth” draws inspiration from the chilling Japanese urban legend of Kuchisake-Onna, translating the myth’s terror into razor-edged riffs, intricate grooves, and towering choruses. The track showcases BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE’s technical precision and fearless complexity, balancing punishing rhythmic shifts with the kind of colossal hooks that have earned them a loyal and ever-growing fanbase. The single reinforces why the band stand at the intersection of progressive ambition and arena-sized accessibility.

Speaking on the track, vocalist and guitarist Paul Visser explains: “The myth of Kuchisake-Onna is so dark and unsettling we immediately knew it had to be a song. The Slit-Mouthed Woman of Japanese folklore is a scissor-carrying malicious demon who asks ‘do you think I’m beautiful?’ There is no answer that doesn’t result in horror. We love this tune and had so much fun with the imagery. The ending is especially brutal. Check it out.” His words underline the band’s ability to transform folklore into something visceral and sonically devastating.

A ferociously tight live act, BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE have toured extensively across Europe and the UK, sharing stages with Skunk Anansie, HED P.E, INME, Cellar Darling, and Black Map, alongside festival appearances at Download Festival and Tech-Fest among others. With previous releases through Long Branch Records and Season Of Mist, and recent support from BBC Radio 1, Spotify, Apple Music, Kerrang!, and Knotfest, the band are charging toward Lore with unstoppable momentum. “Scissormouth” is brutal, bold, and unmistakably BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE.

Catch the band on their upcoming UK shows 

21 May 2026 – Derby, UK – The Victoria Inn 

22 May 2026 – Leeds, UK – Boom

23 May 2026 – Birmingham, UK – Scruffy Murphys

24 May 2026 – Cheltenham, UK – Frog and Fiddle

28 May 2026 – Cardiff, UK – Fuel

29 May 2026 – Guildford, UK – The Star

30 May 2026 – Bournemouth, UK – Bear Cave

31 May 2026 – London, UK – New Cross Inn