A Wilhelm Scream are back, and they sound exactly like a band that never forgot how hard they can hit. “Midnight Ghost” is the first single from their upcoming sixth full-length Cheap Heat, due out February 27, 2026 via Creator-Destructor Records, and it lands with the kind of precision and urgency that reminds you why this band still sits in a class of their own.
From the first seconds, “Midnight Ghost” feels restless. The guitars lock into that familiar hyper-tight riffing style, the drums snap with purpose, and the vocals move with a mix of control and aggression that few bands manage without sounding forced. It is fast, technical, and melodic without ever drifting into show-off territory. Everything is doing its job.
What stands out is how sharp the band sound. This does not feel like a comeback or a nostalgia lap. It feels current, focused, and hungry. The production, handled by Trevor Reilly at Anchor End Studio, keeps things crisp without sanding off the edges. You hear every detail, every turn, every hit, but the song still feels alive and physical rather than clinical.
“Midnight Ghost” carries that signature A Wilhelm Scream tension, the push and pull between melody and chaos, between structure and speed. It never settles into a comfortable groove. It keeps moving, shifting, challenging the listener to stay with it. That has always been part of their appeal, and it is fully intact here.
Knowing this is just the first glimpse into Cheap Heat makes it even more exciting. Ten new tracks, a band this locked in, and a release date set. This does not feel like a band checking boxes. It feels like a band with something to prove, even after all these years.
“Midnight Ghost” is not here to ease you back in. It is here to grab you by the collar and remind you exactly what A Wilhelm Scream do best. Fast, smart, relentless punk rock from New Bedford, delivered with clarity and conviction.
