ANCIENT SETTLERS have released “Through The Ruins”, a stand-alone single and official video introducing new vocalist Mylena Monaco. Scarlet Records issued the track on 3 November, following Monaco’s arrival in the Spain and Venezuela-based melodic death metal band earlier this year. She has already made her live debut with the group.
The song focuses on the less visible side of life as an independent touring metal band. Its lyrics describe sleeping in a van, travelling through rain, using borrowed equipment and playing empty rooms, while returning to the stage despite uncertainty and financial strain. The refrain turns that experience into a statement of persistence: “When the world said let it die / We answered with louder nights.”
A song from the road
Carlos Chiesa-Estomba and Herman Riera wrote the music, while Chiesa-Estomba wrote the lyrics. The band recorded at Abracadabra Studios in San Sebastián, with Riera providing additional audio engineering. Chiesa-Estomba and Riera produced the single, Agustin Martinez mixed it at Rockline Studios in Alicante, and Jens Bogren mastered it at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro. Scarlet Records published the release.
Ruben Rosinos directed the video and Guilherme Toledo edited it. Its road-focused visuals follow the song’s account of touring, setbacks and the friendships that help keep a band active.
Mylena Monaco joins
Mylena Monaco sings on “Through The Ruins” and joined ANCIENT SETTLERS in 2026. Before joining the band, she worked with Hardgainer, Metallic Crucifixion and Sinaya. She appears in the current line-up alongside guitarists Carlos Chiesa-Estomba and Agustín Martínez, bassist Enric Juan and drummer Herman Riera.
ANCIENT SETTLERS formed in San Sebastián in 2020 and had previously released the albums “Our Last Eclipse - The Settlers Saga Pt. I” in 2022 and “Oblivion’s Legacy - The Settlers Saga Pt. 2” in 2024, as well as the EPs “Transition” and “Tales From The Earth”. The band has also shared stages with Dark Funeral, Soen, Infected Rain, Sirenia and Exumer.
Two French shows ahead
The band played dates in Figueira da Foz on 3 October, Faro on 4 October and Bilbao on 9 October. Its remaining announced 2026 shows are 12 November at Brinc de Linc in Barberaz, France, and 13 November at Monster’s Art in Frejus, France.
