Bad Wolves aren’t just turning a page — they’re setting the whole book on fire. The multi-platinum, chart-topping hard rock outfit have returned with “Paint It Red,” their first release of 2026 and the official debut of new vocalist Killboy (Sara Skinner). Out now via Better Noise Music, the single and its accompanying music video arrive on the night of the Strawberry Moon, a fittingly primal backdrop for a band whose identity has always been tangled up in myth, muscle, and the imagery of wolves.

Stream and watch “Paint It Red” here: https://BadWolves.lnk.to/PaintItRed/youtube

From the first bar, “Paint It Red” makes it clear that this next chapter isn’t about replacing anyone — it’s about kicking the door in. Pummeling drums lock into a head-nodding groove, an airtight polyrhythmic riff coils around Killboy’s dynamic delivery, and the whole thing detonates on a chorus that’s equal parts ominous and hypnotic: “And watch the blood flow down like a river from my mouth…’Cause they won’t miss you when you’re dead, so paint it red.” It’s the sound of a band pushing further into stadium-size melody without sacrificing an ounce of the crushing instrumentation that made them a multi-platinum name in the first place.

Founder, drummer, and songwriter John Boecklin says the search for the band’s next voice was never about filling a slot. “The first time I heard Sara sing, I knew she was different. She has an incredible voice, undeniable presence, and the kind of versatility that allows us to take our songwriting to places we’ve never gone before,” he shared. “Sara isn’t here to recreate the past, she’s here to help us build the future.”

Killboy, for her part, wrote “Paint It Red” as a manifesto for tearing it all down and starting again. “‘Paint It Red’ is about being unafraid to tear everything down and start over — again and again if that’s what it takes,” she explains. “To live authentically and follow your heart, you have to be willing to rebuild when something no longer serves who you are. Sometimes growth means letting go of what you’ve built so you can create something even better.”

Boecklin frames the song as a broader gut-check — a metaphor for those moments when polite and diplomatic just don’t cut it anymore. “There are moments when it’s time to stop asking for permission and start making decisions for yourself,” he adds. “Burn it down. Tear it apart. Cause some chaos if that’s what needs to happen.” On “Paint It Red,” art is very clearly imitating life.

The current Bad Wolves lineup is Derek Bolman (bass), AJ Rebollo (guitar), Sara “Killboy” Skinner (vocals), and John Boecklin (drums). With billions of streams, a 3x-Platinum single, two Gold singles, and six No. 1 radio entries already in the rear view — plus tours alongside Papa Roach, Volbeat, and Hollywood Undead — the Nashville-based quartet have quietly built a résumé most rock bands would kill for. “Paint It Red” suggests they’re nowhere near finished.

The band promises much more music is on the way, so consider this your official notice: the Wolves are back, they’ve got a new voice, and the color of the year is red. Hit play, turn it up, and keep an eye on badwolvesnation.com for what’s next.