Green Day uses photo from the Troubles in Belfast for upcoming album cover

The album artwork for legendary American pop punk band Green Day's recently announced 14th studio album Saviors includes a picture taken during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The black-and-white photograph was reportedly shot during a 1978 riot on the Falls Road in Belfast. It was taken by photographer Chris Steele-Perkins and depicts a young boy holding a rock and grinning as a car behind him is engulfed in flames. Green Day's logo appears above the photograph in a pink font, and the album title 'Saviors' below.

The usage of the photograph has invited speculation on whether it will have significance within the album. Some have pointed out that Green Day has taken influence from the Northern Ireland punk scene, with bands like Protex, Rudi and Stiff Little Fingers among them.

Green Day further elaborated on the record. "What is Saviors about, you ask?" they posted to Twitter. "Power pop, punk, rock, indie triumph. disease, war, inequality, influencers, yoga retreats, alt right, dating apps, masks, MENTAL HEALTH, climate change, oligarchs, social media division, free weed, fentanyl, fragility..."

What is Saviors about, you ask?

Power pop, punk, rock, indie triumph. disease, war, inequality, influencers, yoga retreats, alt right,  dating apps, masks, MENTAL HEALTH, climate change, oligarchs, social media division, free weed, fentanyl, fragility,,.. 

What would Andy…

— Green Day (@GreenDay) October 24, 2023

The album was announced yesterday, Tuesday 24th October, and is due to release on 19 January 2024. Alongside the announcement, the band shared a new single titled ‘The American Dream Is Killing Me’.

Green Day teased the track last week when they gave the then-unreleased song its live debut in an intimate Vegas show at the 1,000-capacity Fremont Country Club.

The film-noir-inspired music video – directed by Brendan Walter and Ryan Baxley – depicts the band in the midst of a zombie apocalypse.

New album ‘Saviors' out January 19th, 2024 

Pre-order: https://t.co/cFN02gBSNZ
Limited exclusive vinyl: https://t.co/qTWVEJQhKB 

The first single “The American Dream Is Killing Me” is out now 

Watch the epic video: https://t.co/sXEUgrXw7X
Stream the song:… pic.twitter.com/SnnzfD1bCT

— Green Day (@GreenDay) October 24, 2023

Saviors will see the Cali trio team up with Grammy-winning producer Rob Cavallo, who previously worked with them on the iconic albums Dookie (1994) and American Idiot (2004). The album will be available in limited-edition vinyl colourways, alongside other physical and digital platforms.

News of Green Day’s upcoming album coincides with the 30th anniversary of the band’s 1994 classic Dookie. Celebrations for the milestone have so far included the release of a massive deluxe edition of the album.

Elsewhere the band announced details of a US headline tour, due to kick off next year and feature support from The Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid and The Linda Lindas. They teased that UK and EU dates will be revealed at a later date.