Feature Photo: Frank Schwichtenberg, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Future Palace is a German rock band from Berlin consisting of vocalist Maria Lessing, guitarist Manuel Kohlert, and drummer Johannes Frenzel. The band came together at the end of 2018 after Kohlert and Frenzel, who had already worked in other projects together, connected with Lessing when she recorded a feature for their group at the time. The three saw potential in building something new, and what began as a simple WhatsApp group called Future Palace became the official name of their band. By March 2019 they released their first single “Maybe” followed in May by “Anomaly.” That same summer they stepped onto the stage for the first time with concerts in Berlin and Hamburg, quickly making a mark in their local scene.
In March 2020 Future Palace signed with Arising Empire, an important step that immediately raised their profile. On the same day the signing was announced they released the single “Illusionist” featuring Tobias Rische of Alazka, supported by a video that underlined their rising ambition. By September they unveiled their debut album Escape, led by the single “Ghost Chapter.” A nationwide headlining tour was announced for early 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation. Despite the setback the record began to build their audience far beyond Berlin and made them one of the most talked about new acts in their genre.
Momentum carried into 2021 and 2022 with a new wave of singles and videos. In November 2021 the release of “Paradise” opened the door to their second studio record. By December they confirmed Run, which landed in June 2022 and earned them their first placement on the German Album Charts, debuting at number 82. The album was supported by the “Take Me to Paradise” headlining tour in April 2022, a defining run that established them as a live force. Songs like “Heads Up,” “Flames,” and “Dead Inside” connected strongly with fans, showcasing the band’s blend of post-hardcore energy with synth-pop and electronic textures.
The next chapter came with the announcement of Distortion, their third studio album, released in September 2024. Leading up to the record they rolled out a series of singles including “Malphas,” “Uncontrolled,” “The Echoes of Disparity” featuring Charlie Rolfe of As Everything Unfolds, “Dreamstate,” and “Decarabia.” The album was met with strong reviews, with Distorted Sound Magazine giving it a 9 out of 10 rating and Heavy Magazine noting that Distortion elevated their sound to new levels. The record climbed even higher on the German Album Charts, reaching number 32, signaling the band’s continued rise.
Stylistically, Future Palace combines post-hardcore aggression with alternative rock sensibilities, often layered with 1980s-inspired synth-pop and electronica. They have cited Bring Me the Horizon, Pvris, The Midnight, and Mike Oldfield among their influences. The lyrics, written by Lessing, frequently deal with personal battles including depression, toxic relationships, and inner conflicts. This openness has resonated deeply with fans, who see the band not only as musicians but also as storytellers speaking honestly about emotional struggles.
To date, Future Palace has released three full-length albums: Escape in 2020, Run in 2022, and Distortion in 2024. Each has marked a distinct stage in their growth while building a catalog of songs that continue to find listeners across Europe and beyond. Their willingness to evolve their sound while staying grounded in raw emotional honesty has made them one of the most compelling younger bands in modern rock.
Future Palace has not yet been widely decorated with formal awards, but the acclaim for Distortion and their ability to chart in Germany highlight their growing stature. They are also notable for their visual presence, producing striking videos for nearly every major single, often directed by Maria Lessing herself or frequent collaborator Peter Leukhardt. This attention to visual storytelling has made them stand out even more in a crowded scene.
What makes Future Palace especially loved by their audience is their sense of authenticity. The group’s work is steeped in lived experience, and their commitment to confronting difficult emotional topics has turned their shows into cathartic gatherings for fans. They may be early in their career compared to long-established acts, but with three well-received albums and a loyal following, Future Palace has already written an important chapter in the story of modern German rock.
Complete List Of Future Palace Songs From A to Z
- A Fool On The Devil’s Reins – Distortion – 2024
- A World In Tears – Run – 2022
- Amethyst – Distortion – 2024
- Anomaly – Escape – 2020
- Break Free – Escape – 2020
- Dead Inside – Run – 2022
- Decarabia – Distortion – 2024
- Defeating Gravity – Run – 2022
- Dreamstate – Distortion – 2024
- Fever – Run – 2022
- Flames – Run – 2022
- Ghost Chapter – Escape – 2020
- Heads Up – Run – 2022
- Illusionist – Escape – 2020
- In Too Deep – Distortion – 2024
- Lately – Escape – 2020
- Loco Loco – Run – 2022
- Locked – Run – 2022
- Malphas – Distortion – 2024
- Maybe – Escape – 2020
- Maybe – Stripped – Escape – 2020
- My Air – Escape – 2020
- Panic Paralysis – Distortion – 2024
- Paradise – Run – 2022
- Parted Ways – Escape – 2020
- Rays Of Light – Distortion – 2024
- Roses – Run – 2022
- Sleep Tight – Run – 2022
- Something New – Escape – 2020
- The Echoes Of Disparity – Distortion – 2024
- They Take What They Want – Distortion – 2024
- Twisted – Escape – 2020
- Uncontrolled – Distortion – 2024
- Wounds – Run – 2022
Albums
Escape (2020): 11 songs
Run (2022): 12 songs
Distortion (2024): 11 songs
Check out similar articles and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com
Read More: Artists’ Interviews Directory At ClassicRockHistory.com
Read More: Classic Rock Bands List And Directory