ALTARIA Sign With AOR HEAVEN RECORDS

Finnish melodic metal band ALTARIA, featuring SONATA ARCTICA guitarist Jani Liimatainen, have signed a two-album contract with the German label AOR Heaven. The group's 11-track debut album, entitled Foundation, will be recorded at Sonic Pump studios in Helsinki during September for a February/March 2003 release through the AOR Heaven sub-label Metal Heaven. A Finnish tour will take place in November.