London-based alternative progressive rock band Temples on Mars are back with their brand-new single “Safeword,” the latest track from their upcoming full-length album The Last Ship, set for release on 31 October 2025.
“We are over the moon to finally be back with our brand new single ‘Safeword,’” the band share. “This is our first release since July 2023 and we are very grateful to be able to return. We have had a lot going on outside of the band with births, family tragedy, illnesses, other projects etc, all on top of the realities of being in a small band in a highly competitive industry so our timeline just kept moving back.”
“Although lyrically the song is about having a safe word to make things stop, the reality is quite the opposite. Coming back with this single is a show of resilience which is very much part of the Temples on Mars DNA. So many times, it would have been a lot easier to just walk away but we have kept grinding. Musically it is a new direction for Temples on Mars and leans towards the electronic side of our sound more so than the heavy.”
Recorded between London and Los Angeles, “Safeword” was produced by Darren Carikas and James Donaldson, and mastered by Grammy Award-winning engineer Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, Nashville.
Frontman James Donaldson recalls the song’s unusual beginnings: “Believe it or not the original idea for ‘Safeword’ was a heavy Rammstein-esque riff. I just couldn’t get it to work overall so I left it alone for a while and decided to take it all apart and approach it from a completely different angle which became the ‘Safeword’ you hear today.”
“At that point in time there were lots of things going on in my life; kind of enough that I wished I had a safe word to make it all stop and just get a breather somewhere comforting and beautiful.”
Check out the music video for the track below:
You can buy/stream the track HERE.
More info about Temples on Mars
Formed in 2018, Temples on Mars have steadily carved out a name for themselves with their unique blend of progressive heaviness and electronic textures. Their self-titled debut album, released via Primordial Records, garnered international acclaim and led to tours across the UK, Europe, and South Africa.
Follow-up EP Parallels V.1 showcased the band’s darker electronic side, further expanding their sonic identity.
With a post-pandemic resurgence on the live circuit, including performances at Download Festival UK and Radar Festival, Temples on Mars are now gearing up for their most ambitious release yet.
The forthcoming album – featuring contributions from renowned drummer Josh Freese (Foo Fighters, A Perfect Circle, Nine Inch Nails, Guns N’ Roses) — continues to push boundaries, balancing accessible hooks with uncompromising heaviness.
Earlier singles “Sleepwalking into Extinction” and “Daydreamer” made waves internationally, breaking into the Radioscope Top 40 Rock Charts in New Zealand, while “Smile” added a grungy existential edge to their repertoire.
“Safeword” now marks the next chapter in the band’s evolution – a powerful statement of resilience, reinvention, and forward momentum.
Watch this space for updates in the Music Videos category on SA Music Zone.
To stay in the loop with all things SA Music, Subscribe to our newsletter.
Looking for something to do? Check out our Upcoming Events section or the SA Gig Guide.
Want to explore the SA Music Scene? Check out our Artist/Band/Group Profiles section.
Want to discover fresh music? Follow our editor's 2025 playlist on Spotify.
