American progressive metallers DARK EMPIRE have announced the addition of Swedish vocalist Urban Breed (PYRAMAZE, BLOODBOUND, TAD MOROSE) to the group's ranks. Urban replaces Jens Carlsson (PERSUADER, SAVAGE CIRCUS), who split from the band on good terms in 2008.
Commented DARK EMPIRE bandleader/guitarist Matt Moliti: "I cannot express how thrilled I am to be collaborating with Urban. His vocals have the perfect blend of power and dynamics that I think will truly take DARK EMPIRE's music to the next level. I'm excited as hell for people to hear the material!"
Demo samples from DARK EMPIRE's forthcoming third album, "From Refuge To Ruin", will be posted to the band's MySpace page in the coming weeks.
Regarding the sound of DARK EMPIRE's new songs, Matt said, "The new material has the sound that was established on [2008's] 'Humanity Dethroned', but we've added some new elements, such as seven-string guitars, mellotrons, and a good deal of old-school doom metal and '70s prog-rock influence. I really think these were the missing puzzle pieces and what we're going to present on 'From Refuge To Ruin' is the ultimate culmination of what I started back in 2004. We're looking at nine songs, with two that are near or over the 10-minute mark. We'll also be doing two covers for bonus tracks. More details on all of that to come."
He added, "We will start recording in the fall with producer Jeremy Krull. We're also in talks with drummers, and we should be able to make a final announcement on who will be performing on the album soon. The plans are for a spring 2011 release.”
DARK EMPIRE released its sophomore effort, "Humanity Dethroned", in 2008 on Killzone Records.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/darkempireband.
Source: www.blabbermouth.net