Italian death metal project EYES OF AGONY have announced November 20 as the release date for their debut album, “When They Return”. The album will be released via AWAKENING RECORDS, with ‘Resuscitation Failed’ serving as the first track to be unveiled.

At the center of EYES OF AGONY is Danny Cinicolo, founder of EXCIDIUM and MALEFICARUM, whose histories stretch back to the mid-1980s. Cinicolo began writing the material for the project years ago, with some of those tracks also appearing on his own YouTube channel, Danny Cynic. The interest generated by those recordings encouraged him to turn the project into a full-length album.

Vocals are handled by Andrea Zanetti, Cinicolo’s former MALEFICARUM bandmate. Known for his work with ICONOCLAST, SCHIZO, SINOATH and MONUMENTUM, Zanetti joined the project after hearing some of Cinicolo’s new material. The lineup was subsequently completed by Davide Billia, known for his work with BEHEADED and HOUR OF PENANCE, among others. Billia recorded the album’s drum parts at his own MK2 Recording Studios.

Massimo Boffa (MIND CONTROL, HALLEY) handles guitar, while Fabrizio Biondi (Jesus), formerly of MECHANICAL GOD CREATION, takes care of bass. The resulting five-piece lineup has produced an album intended to retain the feel of a band playing together as a unit, despite its members recording their parts from different locations.

Running for approximately 36 minutes across nine tracks, “When They Return” is presented by AWAKENING RECORDS as a firmly old-school death metal release. Drawing on influences including INCANTATION, NILE, CANNIBAL CORPSE, AT THE GATES and DEATH, the album brings together guitar harmonies and solos, hard-hitting riffs and a forceful rhythm section. The album was mixed and mastered by Luca Nicolucci at Comet Broadcasting Studio.

The first track released from the album is ‘Resuscitation Failed’:

“When They Return” will be released on CD via AWAKENING RECORDS on November 20, 2026. Pre-order information is available. The cover artwork was created by Julian Mortuus, while the album’s nine-track listing is as follows:

  1. The Blackening of the Skies

  2. Infected Lands

  3. Altars of Hate

  4. As Angels Fall

  5. And Life Slips Away

  6. Resuscitation Failed

  7. Underworlds of Atrocity

  8. Eyes of Agony

  9. When They Return

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