MAN WITH A MISSION have released the video for their latest single ‘Against the Kings and Gods’, arriving just as the masked Japanese rock superstars begin the UK leg on the HOWLING ACROSS THE WORLD tour.
Directed by Kensuke Endo with illustrations from Daisuke Yamamoto, the lyric video leans into dark, mythological imagery, depicting wolves and a fallen angel breaking from flames. The track, one of the band’s darker cuts, draws on heavy guitar riffs, thunderous drums and dramatic breakdowns.
Speaking about the track, guitarist and vocalist Jean-Ken Johnny explained:
“What sparked this song was the desire to create something, both in sound and in lyrics, that we had never really attempted before, either as a band or personally.
In shaping a dark, heavy, and majestic track, I chose mythology as the motif, envisioning the image of a human facing supernatural beings.
Even in the real world, we all experience days of struggling against overwhelming powers and the impermanence of life. We hope that those who listen to this song can find themselves within its story-like world, and that it awakens a spirit and strength that refuse to yield to anything or anyone. We hope you enjoy ‘Against the Kings and Gods’.”
The release comes as MAN WITH A MISSION prepare to play London’s Shepherds Bush Empire tomorrow (October 2nd), followed by dates in Manchester and Birmingham. After the UK, the band will continue across Europe before heading into Asia in November.
RELATED: MAN WITH A MISSION mark 15 years with ‘XV e.p.’ and 2025 UK/European tour
Fans can expect ‘Against the Kings and Gods’ to feature in the set alongside material from their ‘XV e.p.’, released earlier this year to celebrate the band’s 15th anniversary. A UK and European exclusive edition, ‘XV e.p. Across The Globe’, is available now on CD and vinyl.
Dates and tickets
| Date | Location | Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Oct 2025 | O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, UK | |
| 3 Oct 2025 | O2 Ritz, Manchester, UK | |
| 5 Oct 2025 | XOYO, Birmingham, UK | |
| 8 Oct 2025 | Metropol, Berlin, Germany | |
| 10 Oct 2025 | Effenaar, Eindhoven, Netherlands | |
| 11 Oct 2025 | Salle Pleyel, Paris, France | |
| 14 Oct 2025 | Batschkapp, Frankfurt, Germany | |
| 15 Oct 2025 | Le Transbordeur, Lyon, France | |
| 17 Oct 2025 | E-Werk, Cologne, Germany | |
| 18 Oct 2025 | Markthalle, Hamburg, Germany | |
| 21 Oct 2025 | Lucerna Music Bar, Prague, Czech Republic | |
| 23 Oct 2025 | Backstage Werk, Munich, Germany | |
| 24 Oct 2025 | Simm City, Vienna, Austria |
MAN WITH A MISSION
Against the Kings and Gods
Release Date: 29/08/2025
Label: Sony Music Labels Inc.
Stream: Links
MAN WITH A MISSION
XV e.p.
Release Date: 12/03/2025
Label: Sony Music Labels Inc.
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music
CD: Regular | Limited Edition
