Day 40

History

Founded in 2003 by guitarist and vocalist Den Dimitrov, Day 40 has evolved from a one-man project into one of the UK's most forward-driven modern metal forces. Originally from Bulgaria, Dimitrov is recognized as one of the pioneers of Eastern European death metal, having cemented his early legacy with Pieces From Reality, the underground classic released with his former band Brainstorm.

After relocating to London, Dimitrov transformed Day 40 into a full live act by 2008. The band's core solidified in 2012 with the arrival of bassist/vocalist Stefan Minev, vocalist Dilian Arnaudov, and guitarist Dan Baune (Monument), leading to the release of the debut EP 'Circles' (2013) and the full-length 'Only the Stones Remain' later that same year. The album featured guest drummer Angel Angelov, known for his work with Absolute, Detonator, and Colobar.

Day 40 continued to expand their sound with the 2015 EP 'Naturicide', introducing drummer Svetoslav Dimitrov (Okovi, Paradox) and later guitarist Venelin Andreev, who replaced Baune. This lineup earned international recognition with their contribution to Therion's official compilation 'Blood of the Dragon' (2018), where their rendition of 'Invocation of Naamah' was praised as one of the standout covers on the release.

After a brief hiatus, Day 40 returned in 2020 with 'The Great Deluge', featuring guitarist/vocalist Charles Apps, followed by a Slayer cover for another international compilation. In 2022, the band released the single 'Slaves', showcasing what would become their most powerful formation yet: drummer Hugo Terva (Death Valley Knights, Savage Grace) and guitar virtuoso Nikolay Atanasov (Agent Steel, REZET).

The years 2024–2026 marked a period of renewed momentum. 'The Yellow Emperor' EP came out in February 2025. Following a legendary performance at London's Cart & Horses and a strong run of Bulgarian dates — including a headline appearance at Total Metal Open Air and a slot at Germany's Metal Militia Festival alongside Ektomorf — Day 40 launched their most ambitious touring cycle to date. Their 2026 European run, "March of the Emperor", conquered five countries and set the stage for the band's next major milestone.

On 12 June 2026, Day 40 released their long-awaited second full-length album, 'Phenomenon' - arriving twelve years after their debut. The album delivers ten tracks of razor-edged thrash aggression, atmospheric depth, and the band's signature melodic tension. Written and refined over several years marked by lineup changes, global disruptions, and creative reinvention, 'Phenomenon' represents the band's most focused and ambitious work to date. The album rollout included the singles 'Tunguska', 'Tyrant of Syracuse' (featuring guest shredder Kris Norris, ex-Darkest Hour, and keyboardist Nikolay Velev), and 'Lunar Enigma', each accompanied by visual content expanding the album's conceptual themes.

With 'Phenomenon', Day 40 steps into a new era — heavier, sharper, and more determined than ever. As they continue their 2026 touring cycle and expand their presence across Europe and beyond, the band stands poised to become one of the defining modern metal acts emerging from the UK underground.

(source: Day 40, June 2026)
(discography incomplete)