Mountmellick, Laois Feb 1, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - Irish-based rock artist Damien Cain has reached a major international milestone: his latest album Standarte has climbed to No. 6 on the American Alternative Charts, mirrored by an identical Top-10 position in the German Alternative Charts.
Cain, a German-born songwriter and producer now based in County Laois, describes the achievement as “unexpected and deeply encouraging,” especially for an independent artist operating outside the major-label system.
“It’s surreal to see an album created across several countries resonate so strongly overseas,” Cain says. “To have it chart in the US while living and working quietly in Laois means a lot.”
Released in December 2025, Standarte blends alternative rock, melodic metal and gothic atmospheres with cinematic storytelling. The album marks Cain’s return under his own name after years of work under the project CAIN, best known for the cult classic Age of Darkness, which sold over 250,000 copies and received an IMPALA Diamond Award.
Since release, the album's first single 'Fascinating Face' has received regular radio airplay across Ireland, the UK and Europe, North- and South-America, and even Hong Kong and Australia. The album’s videos have also surpassed 100,000 YouTube views within four weeks.
International press has praised the record’s emotional depth and stylistic range. Italian 'ProgRockJournal' described Standarte as “a testament to the enduring power of emotion, atmosphere and narrative in rock,” while the Orkus! Magazine highlighted its “coherent, harmonious and entertaining” nature despite its stylistic breadth.
Cain lives and works in Mountmellick, Co. Laois, where he continues to write and produce music with an international network of collaborators. While Standarte is currently receiving global radio support, Cain remains closely connected to the Irish music community.
Media Contact
Damien Cain *****@damiencain.com http://www.damiencain.com
