Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 04/24/2026
Photo by Ville Malja
Helsinki-based dandy punk band Dharma Guns return with their scorching second album, declaring themselves the kings of action rock and delivering a dark, feverish take on the state of the world. Nightmares and Broken Dreams was released on April 24, 2026.
Dharma Guns planted their flag firmly on the flaming map of action rock with their debut album Ex-Generation Superstars, which tackled generational divides. The new album turns its focus to the legacy we leave for future generations.
The sheer joy of rock 'n' roll runs deep in the band's DNA. It sparks throughout the album, and tracks like "King of Action Rock" kick the engine into overdrive.
"Writing 'Shock O'clock' marked the beginning of Nightmares and Broken Dreams. The lyrical world of the song set the tone for the entire album, and the guitar riff carries a hint of Nirvana. There's something delicious about opening the record with the most hopeless track, featuring the line 'we've had our chance / humankind won't last'," says vocalist-guitarist Pete, and continues: "But so it's not all despair, the closing track 'The Voice of the Underdogs' carries a glimmer of hope and a message for humanity: be fucking kind."
The album was released not only on digital platforms, but also on vinyl and CD.
Dharma Guns have refined their rock 'n' roll into a distinctive sound, carrying forward the legacy of bands like MC5, The Hellacopters and The Lords of the New Church. The second album is a tight, focused statement from the very heart of action rock. Song titles like "Devil's Beat", "Fear of Getting Bored" and "Clowns in the Castles" set the tone, but the band also explores new shades: "Bruised Body and a Broken Knee" leans heavily into blues, while "Black Cloud" even features acoustic guitars.
"'Black Cloud' is our grunge ballad. It's a slowly building ode to a planet struggling with the climate crisis and denialism. It could have been born on the rainy streets of Seattle in the early '90s. Our drummer Olli even calls it our 'Stairway to Heaven'. And the recording process got emotional too — during mixing we were on the verge of falling apart over a single shaker. Some wanted it gone, others insisted it had to stay. In the end, everyone won: we re-recorded it and kept it in," Pete laughs.
"'Bruised Body and a Broken Knee' was written while I was recovering from knee surgery last year. At its core, it deals with our relationship to the physical body — a temple of love for some, a temple of doom for others. The chorus swings like a drunken schlager band playing Tom Waits," Pete describes.
The album has been preceded by the singles "King of Action Rock", "Devil's Beat", "Scale of the Universe" and "The Voice of the Underdogs". Dharma Guns' debut album Ex-Generation Superstars was released in 2024.
Following the release, Dharma Guns will head out on a UK tour with glam punk legend Steve Vincent. The two will also share the stage in Helsinki and Turku at Dharma Guns' album release shows.
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