Butcher Babies – Leaving California

BUTCHER BABIES, who have evolved from underground favourites into an internationally recognised force in modern metal, have unleashed their new single and official music video, ‘Leaving California’, available now via Judge & Jury Records.

Produced by acclaimed hitmaker Howard Benson, the track marks the fifth single from the band’s highly anticipated new album, NIGHTBLOOM, due out 2nd October.

‘Leaving California’ captures the emotional conflict of leaving behind a life that once felt permanent in pursuit of an uncertain future. The song is both deeply personal and universally relatable, reflecting on the courage it takes to embrace change.

The track serves as a key chapter in an album that functions as a deeply personal love letter to vocalist Heidi Shepherd’s past reflecting on the experiences, relationships, heartbreaks, and hard-earned lessons that have shaped her over the last 25 years. It’s a record rooted in self-reflection and growth, honoring where she’s been while embracing the strength and clarity of who she has become today.

Heidi Shepherd shares:

“The writing of this song began in July of 2020 as I saw my industry, family, and friends all one-by-one leaving California; a place I truly believed would be my forever home. I built my life there. I traded in my 20 year comfort of sandy beaches, ocean air, and the walk of fame for the big unknown. During that time, I wasn’t only breaking up with California, I was moving on from a life that I am so grateful to have experienced, but needed a change. I was leaving a relationship that gave me so much for so many years, but had run dry. On the drive out of town, I found myself humming this chorus melody into my voice notes, documenting in real time, my shedding of that skin. ‘Leaving California’ is about that bittersweet moment where new beginnings seem daunting, yet, oh so, exciting.”

Producer Howard Benson immediately connected with the song’s message. He said:

“I really relate to Heidi’s lyrics on ‘Leaving California.’ It’s very of the moment and timely, but the lyrics are also deeply personal. On the track, the band captures the conflicting emotions of the lyrics with their scorching performance!”

Neil Sanderson of Three Days Grace also praised the new material, saying,

“I knew the sky was the limit when I heard the new BUTCHER BABIES record. I said, ‘This is a decades-long band out there being OG’s in a time when people are worried about AI. They are what rock is supposed to be—dangerously human.’ And ‘Leaving California’ just jumps outta the speakers for me.”

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