German prog metal trio The Hirsch Effekt announce new album, Der Brauch, and stream title track

Photo Credit: Freakshot

Since their formation The Hirsch Effekt have carved out a unique niche in heavy music, embracing limitless possibilities. Yet, despite - or perhaps because of - their elusiveness, the band has captivated a devoted audience.

Today, the trio from Hanover, Germany, announced their seventh studio album, Der Brauch, due 30th January 2026, via Long Branch Records. In conjunction with the album news, the band are giving fans a taste of the new work with the release of the title track. 

Watch the visualizer to 'Der Brauch' here: https://youtu.be/J2HpL73RrEg

Stream the new single and pre-order the album here: https://thehirscheffekt.lnk.to/derbrauch

While earlier works, despite their diversity, were still labelled “metal albums,” this new record explores paths first hinted at on the multi-layered second album, Holon : Anamnesis - the same album regarded as one of the best German-language records of all time. Der Brauch can be seen as a return to that pivotal point - and simultaneously as a bold step forward. Drummer Moritz Schmidt doesn’t entirely forgo blast beats, but the record demands a new heading. In the end, though, there is only one truth: it unmistakably sounds like The Hirsch Effekt.

The Hirsch Effekt are:
Nils Wittrock - Guitar, Vocals
Ilja John Lappin - Bass, Vocals
Moritz Schmidt - Drums

For more information:
http://www.thehirscheffekt.de/
https://www.facebook.com/thehirscheffekt
https://www.instagram.com/thehirscheffekt
https://www.youtube.com/thehirscheffekt

Tracklisting:

1 Der Brauch
2 Der Faden
3 Das Seil
4 Brauch Reprise
5 Der Doppelgänger
6 Die Lüge
7 Die Brücke
8 Das Nachsehen
9 Die Heimkehr
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Vinyl Exclusive - Bonus Tracks
1 Agitation (acoustic)
2 Die Brücke (acoustic)
3 Stegodon (acoustic)