In a moving celebration of life, legacy, and sound, Phoenix-based nü-metal-ish band Dropout Kings is set to release their most personal and powerful work to date: Yokai, dropping digitally on August 8, 2025 via Napalm Records. The album serves as a heartfelt tribute to the band's co-founder and lead vocalist, Adam Ramey, who tragically passed away on May 19, 2025, at just 32 years old.
Hailed as the driving force behind the band's rise, Adam Ramey was instrumental in shaping Dropout Kings' signature fusion of rap, metal, and raw emotion. Just weeks before his untimely passing, Adam completed the final recordings and production for Yokai — a record he described as the band's most meaningful and complete work.
“It's with an incredible mix of emotion and devotion that we announce the release of our new album, Yokai, on August 8th! However, so much more than just new music, this album is our greatest dedication to the late legend, new father and cherished brother, Adam Ramey," said Dropout Kings of the new record.
"Not just entertainment, but a testimony to the ambition, struggle, pain and indomitable will that has made the Dropout Kings who they are. Not only a journey into the hearts and souls of the band during a time of their greatest loss as well as the experience of Trap Metal's evolution, but the soundtrack to the realization of dreams and the defeat of nightmares across the world.
"We ask that you to listen, enjoy and join us in the mission of not just uplifting and remembering the spirit of one of the best men we'll ever know, but in creating a better world so that those like you, him and us can LIVE better and with brighter futures ahead."
Yokai runs as follows:
- "Black Sheep"
- "Brace Yourself"
- "Baka"
- "F.T.W."
- "Devil Fruit"
- "First Day Out"
- "Guillotine"
- "Fake It"
- "Yokai"
- "Eye Bleach"
- "Deadname"
Physical editions of Yokai will be released later in fall 2025, each curated to reflect Ramey's creative direction and passion for design. Pre-saves for the digital version are available here. There's also a GoFundMe available to donate to here that supports Ramey's wife Jamie and son Jude.
