D-A-D, the revered Danish glam rock band are back and defying the odds once again. Forty years in, and rather than slowing down, they’re revving up with a vengeance. Their 13th studio album, Speed Of Darkness, marks yet another milestone for a band that's always been more than just riffs and hooks - it’s a force.

Most bands at this point are content to coast, releasing a single or two like breadcrumbs leading to an album drop. Not D-A-D. They’ve doubled down, treating fans to back-to-back releases - first with "The Ghost" and "1st, 2nd & 3rd," followed by two more, "Keep That MF Down" and "Head Over Heels." Each track exemplifies the band's relentless evolution, even after four decades in the game.

Frontman Jesper Binzer has described "Keep That MF Down" as one of the most "crystal-clear rockers" on Speed Of Darkness. It’s a pure, unapologetic rocker, driven by Jacob Binzer's colossal riffs and Laust Sonne's undeniable swing. Jesper gets real with the lyrics, too, saying it’s about keeping your worst instincts in check - "we’re all carrying baggage, but we’re in this together." It's a punch in the gut but with a message that resonates: Don’t be the jerk that drags everyone else down.

Then there's "Head Over Heels," a ballad-esque gem, which Jesper frames as a reflection on the vulnerability of love. He asks a poignant question - can you truly dive into love without a care, or is carelessness the antithesis of it? "Sometimes we fall in love, sometimes we just fall," he muses. The song’s emotional weight is amplified by its groove, making it one of the standout tracks from the album.

This year, D-A-D not only celebrated their 40th anniversary but also saw their career immortalized in a museum exhibit. Yet, they’re nowhere near finished. If anything, they’re hitting a new creative stride, having penned an impressive 40 songs since their last release, 2019's A Prayer For The Loud. From that meaty pool, 14 tracks made the cut for Speed Of Darkness - and by all accounts, these are some of the strongest songs they’ve crafted in years.

Bassist Stig Pedersen sums it up best: "Turning 40 as a band is crazy. We’re a social experiment!" It’s true - not many bands hit this milestone without losing momentum, let alone their chemistry. D-A-D is proving that age is just a number when it comes to rock 'n' roll, and their fan base, which has grown well beyond Denmark’s borders, agrees.

The band’s energy and excitement for this new chapter is palpable. Jesper has been buzzing about the quality of the material, claiming he’s never been more eager for fans to hear an album. Sonne echoes that enthusiasm, calling Speed Of Darkness their strongest work in years. He credits the band’s growth not just musically, but in terms of production and attention to detail, ensuring that this album hits with both power and finesse.

The album was masterfully produced by longtime collaborator Nick Foss and mastered by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Amaranthe, Powerwolf). Jacob notes the album surprised even him during recording: “Some of these songs just took on a life of their own, and that’s a good sign.” Jesper adds, "For the first time in several albums, I was excited to hit the studio every day. We’ve got more songs and ideas than we know what to do with, and that’s a great place to be."

Forty years in, the band formerly known as Disneyland After Dark (don't mess with "The Mouse," as they say) isn’t just surviving, they’re thriving. Pushing boundaries and proving that rock 'n' roll is far from a young man’s game. Speed Of Darkness is shaping up to be a defining moment in their storied career, and you can bet the ride’s far from over.