After years of silence, speculation, and simmering creative energy, Montreal’s cult heavy rock outfit Paradise erupts back onto the scene with their first new music since their 2020 self titled album. The band announces their long awaited return with the upcoming single and music video “Queen of Mars,” marking the beginning of a bold new chapter in their cosmic, riff driven mythology.
Formed in 2002 during a lightning strike moment of inspiration, Paradise built their identity on what they call “volcanic rock”, a molten blend of heavy rock, classic metal, and stoner rock undertones. Their early albums “Rock Anthropologists on the Kon Tiki Voyage” (2002) and “Hotel” (2005) became underground favorites, fueled by wild creativity, tongue in cheek concept worlds, and collaborations with icons like Voivod’s Michel “Away” Langevin and the late Denis “Piggy” D’Amour.
Their 2020 self titled comeback album re established the band with a harder, sharper edge. Now, in 2026, Paradise resurfaces once more, this time with a fully realized retro futuristic vision inspired by the sci fi imagery of the ’60s and ’70s.
The band’s new single, “Queen of Mars,” introduces listeners to a cinematic, hypnotic space rock sound that expands Paradise’s sonic universe while staying rooted in their heavy rock DNA.
The track paints a vivid portrait of a timeless, wandering figure, the Queen of Mars, who embodies freedom, resilience, and cosmic sovereignty. Moving through a desert of memory and isolation, she becomes a mythic symbol of transformation and inner power. Musically, the song blends atmospheric guitars, ritualistic rhythms, and poetic, controlled vocals, landing somewhere between Hawkwind’s cosmic rock, Dozer’s desert space textures, and the dramatic sweep of Muse.
“It’s been a while since we’ve put something out, so I know some fans have been waiting. We’re close to the sound of our last record, but there are surprises. We used ’60s and ’70s sci fi imagery to inspire us, sounds and moods from far beyond,” says guitarist Frank Kelly.
Kelly remains the band’s primary music writer, working closely with vocalist R.L. Black on lyrics and melodies. For this new material, they also brought in Luc Bourgeois (Sandveiss) to elevate the songwriting even further.
“We just let it go, whichever song was ready first. We’re doing this for fun and to keep the creativity going. We hope people get it, but honestly, we’re having a blast,” adds Kelly.
Paradise has 8–9 new songs in the pipeline, all shaped by their signature approach: naming tracks early in the writing process to set the tone and guide the lyrical world. This time, that world is drenched in analog futures, cosmic psychedelia, and B movie sci fi charm, a natural evolution of the band’s long standing love for heavy music, from Judas Priest and Dio to Kyuss and Fu Manchu.
Paradise’s live reputation remains intact: high energy, high intensity, and unapologetically fun.
“We’re a party band. Just five guys having a blast. So many bands take this too seriously; it takes the fun out of it,” comments Kelly.
With their return, fans can expect a renewed sense of adventure, a deeper dive into their cosmic aesthetic, and a sound that continues to evolve without losing the volcanic spark that defined them from day one.