UK metal band, Cage Fight – fronted by vocal powerhouse, Rachel Aspe – have released a new single, ‘Pick Your Fighter’, featuring Julien Truchan of Benighted. This is taken from their second studio album, Exuvia, on 1st May via Spinefarm.

Rachel Aspe explains: "We wanted to write a fun, sing-along party song with themes of determination and fighting spirit, and the result is ‘Pick Your Fighter’. I also wanted to pay tribute to a French artist who marked my teenage years, and my dad suggested Nâdiya, an R&B singer who is huge back home. Musical and lyrical motifs in ‘Pick Your Fighter’ nod to Nâdiya's hit ‘Et C’est Parti’, a motivational party song that was a huge hit. The crowning touch is some very heavy guest vocals from my French friend Julien Truchan of the band Benighted. And there are pig squeals, many pig squeals!"

Inspired by the 'Et C'est Parti' video, which uses a boxing ring as a metaphor for the song's message, the 'Pick Your Fighter' clip is in the style of an 8-bit combat video game.

Watch ‘Pick Your Fighter’ here: https://youtu.be/4EWC-z6pTmI

Pre-order Exuvia here: https://cagefight.lnk.to/exuvia

To create this video, Cage Fight collaborated with Enemy of Boredom Academy, which supports neurodivergent young people in becoming media professionals.

Cage Fight drummer, Nick Plews, runs one of the sites for EOB Academy, and had the idea to give EOB’s Video Game Design students – currently sitting their Level 3 qualifications – the opportunity to take part in an exciting work experience project, which they can reference in their portfolios, helping them gain exciting opportunities in the future.

Nick comments, “That lightbulb moment, which came in the back of the van after a gig, was so exciting. I couldn’t wait to get back and rally the troops to get this looking awesome! On a personal note, this is definitely a special moment for me, and I am beyond impressed with what the students have achieved.”

In celebration of the forthcoming release of Exuvia, Cage Fight will host an album release party on 1st May at legendary London dive bar, Blondies.

Radio City Beer Works are also brewing a new batch of ‘Pick Your Fighter’ beer, which will be available on tap at the event.

Recorded by Sam Bloor at Lower Lane Studios and mixed by Jim Pinder (Sleep Token, Malevolence), Exuvia retains the raw, old school hardcore heart of Cage Fight – vibrating with meaty grooves, pummelling rhythms, plus a wave of furious anger that feels like a punch to the gut. At the same time, it also explores more multi-layered terrains, atmospheres and melodies, making Cage Fight sound bigger, tighter and more epic than ever before.

Throughout the 11 pieces of music, the band prove they aren’t afraid to experiment… and have a bit of fun – ‘Pick Your Fighter’ being a prime case in point, inspired, as Rachel says, by French pop number ‘Et C'est Parti…' by Nâdiya, though you’d never guess it from the song’s crushing heaviness.

The rest of the lyrics on Exuvia are written by Rachel herself – the first time she has expressed her feelings in this way, and the results are deeply personal, taking in anxiety, assault and having to deal with grief. Expansive final track, ‘Élégie’, is about losing her grandfather and the regret that can come from things left unsaid.

On ‘Pig’, meanwhile, she calls out the creepy men who send women unsolicited messages online, while the title track was inspired by her grandmother, currently battling cancer, who also contributed to the lyrics.

The album’s cover art, shot by photographer Manuel Acquualeni, depicts a radiation mask, establishing a connection both to Rachel’s experience with her grandmother and to the album’s title – Exuvia can be defined as a cast-off skin or outer shell. It also represents healing, something Rachel feels she has achieved by opening up in the lyrics.

Since their inception, the band has become known for their visceral, high-energy live performances; already, they’ve toured with acts such as Sepultura and Cromags, supported the likes of Napalm Death and Employed To Serve, and played numerous festivals, including Summer Breeze and Bloodstock.

Next, they head out on a UK tour with Employed To Serve.

UK dates with Employed To Serve:

20-Mar - Shipley, Kirkgate Community Centre
21-Mar - Edinburgh, Mash House
22-Mar - Newcastle, ThinkTank
23-Mar - Sheffield, Yellow Arch
24-Mar - Norwich, The Waterfront Studio
25-Mar - Milton Keynes, The Craufurd Arms
26-Mar - Wolverhampton, KK's Steel Mill
27-Mar - Southampton, The Joiners
28-Mar - Cardiff, Clwd Ifor Bach

01 May – London, Blondie’s (Exuvia album launch party)

Festivals:

02 May - Dark Reign, UK
27 Jun - Basinfire Festival, CZ
26 Jul - Mozhell Open Air, FR
31 Jul - Radar Festival, UK
01 Aug - Xtreme Fest, FR
02 Aug - Sylak Festival, FR
14 Aug - Motocultor Festival, FR
21 Aug - Furiosfest, FR
22 Aug - Barbeuk Festival, FR

Footage of Cage Fight on the main stage at Bloodstock 2025 is right now receiving a storm of appreciation across socials; check out Rachel performing ‘Pig’ HERE

The video clip for previous single, ‘Un Bon Souvenir’, can be viewed HERE

Cage Fight are:
Rachel Aspe - vocals
James Monteith - guitar
Will Horsman - bass
Nick Plews - drums

Cage Fight online:
facebook.com/cagefightldn
instagram.com/cagefightldn
https://linktr.ee/cagefightldn

Cage Fight release new single 'Pick Your Fighter' feat. Julien Truchan of Benighted with nostalgic 8-bit beat 'em up style video

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