AMORAL: 13 Songs Written For Next Album

Guitarist Ben Varon of Finnish metallers AMORAL has issued the following update:

"The writing and fine-tuning of the new material has been getting along good. We have about 13 songs written as of now, and still more keep popping up. It looks like we'll be heading to the studio in April/May, with a possible late 2011 release. Yes, it's a bitch of a wait, we know, but we promise it's gonna be worth it! We'll try to post some more demo session/rehearshal footage as we go along, to give you guys an idea of where we are at.

"As for the new stuff: like I said, we already have more than an album's worth of material, so we're gonna have a lot to choose from by the time we hit the studio. The material is all over the place style-wise, from the chillest acoustic stuff to fast death metal, with lots of solid, hard-rockin' metal in between. So expect versatility!

"Some of you have noticed that the AMORAL boys have some other projects on the side: Ari [Koivunen, vocals] is at the moment touring with RASKASTA JOULUA ('Heavy Christmas'),Juffi [drummer Juhana Karlsson] is active with his other band SHEAR, and I have some side activities as well (Dimebag Beyond Forever tour 2010, GREASE HELMET).

"Me, Peksi [bassist Pekka Johansson] and Juffi are also part of TORNADO, a thrash-oriented group our friend/tour manager Joey Severance has been meaning to launch for years. But rest assured, these projects will NOT slow AMORAL down, or affect our recording and touring plans in any way. It's merely a good thing that everyone keeps themselves busy and in shape at all times, instead of sitting at home watching TV, waiting for new songs to drop in their email boxes..."

AMORAL earlier in the year parted ways with guitarist Silver Ots and replaced him with Valtteri Hirvonen.

AMORAL toured Europe last year with AMORPHIS and BEFORE THE DAWN.

The band's latest album, "Show Your Colors", entered the official chart in the band's home country of Finland at position No. 19.

"Show Your Colors" was released in the U.S. on June 9, 2009 through Spinefarm Records via Fontana distribution. Available in Finland since May 6, 2009, the CD was recorded at Sound Supreme Studios in Hämeenlinna, Finland.

An e-card for "Show Your Colors" can be accessed at this location.

"Year Of The Suckerpunch", the first AMORAL track to be released featuring singer Ari Koivunen, entered the national chart in the band's home country at position No. 19. In addition to the title cut, which was written and composed by guitarist Ben Varon, the single included a cover of the MISFITS song "Dig Up Her Bones".

Koivunen is best known as the winner of the 2007 Finnish national TV talent competition "Idols". He has released two solo albums thus far — 2007's "Fuel For The Fire" and 2008's "Becoming".

(Thanks: Melica / Night Elves)