DARK FUNERAL Guitarist Issues New Album Update

Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL entered the Abyss studio on July 10 with producer Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, PAIN) to begin recording their as-yet-untitled new album.

Commented guitarist Lord Ahriman: "It's been a really tough and hectic schedule for us during the past couple of weeks, but I shall not complain. It actually feels amazingly good to be super-busy again with the band, and especially spending time in the studio recording a new album.

"On the weekends, we have played festivals around Europe. It's been a blast indeed! And on the weekdays we have, and are still, located at the Abyss Studio, recording what surely will become yet another masterpiece, no doubt!

"I must admit that while I/we have been writing for this album my personal impression has been that the material is somewhat slower, not as technical etc., compared to our previous albums. And I actually thought it would become like a 50/50 split with fast and non blast beat songs. I couldn't have been more wrong.

"BPM-wise [beats per minute], we have, in all honestly, toned it down a bit compared to it precursor, but now, when all the music is recorded, my impressions have changed drastically. This is for sure our most intense and technical album to date. It is also our most varied album. And each song surly offers its own unique and personal touch.

"Dominator, our new drummer, offers the most amazing drum work ever on a DARK FUNERAL record. And whether you like our kind of music or not, I'm absolutely sure that you will be totally stunned when you hear what this beast can, and do behind the kit.

"At this very moment E.M Caligula is working on the vocals. Unfortunately I can't tell much about that just yet, but for what I know he will put on his best and most varied vocal performance ever. And I'm as curious as all of you to hear the final result. I'm however totally confident that he'll blow us all away!"

Romania's Metalhead TV conducted an interview with DARK FUNERAL at this year's Brutal Assault festival, which was held August 6-8, 2009 in Pevnost, Josefov, Czech Republic. Watch the chat at this location.

DARK FUNERAL recently obtained the rights to its back catalogue (including the publishing rights) — "The Secrets Of The Black Arts" (1996),"Vobiscum Satanas" (1998),"Teach Children To Worship Satan" (2000) and "Diabolis Interium" (2001) — following a lengthy legal battle with the band's previous record label, MNW/No Fashion Records.

DARK FUNERAL released "Attera Orbis Terrarum - Part II", the second DVD recorded during the band's world tour in support of the "Attera Totus Sanctus" album, on October 20, 2008. A trailer for the set can be viewed below.

Released in 2005, DARK FUNERAL's latest album, "Attera Totus Sanctus", was recorded and mixed by Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, IN FLAMES, BEHEMOTH) and Örjan Örnkloo at Dug-Out studios in Uppsala, Sweden. Mastering duties were handled by Tomas Eberger at the Cutting Room in Stockholm, Sweden. The album features a guest appearance by former MESHUGGAH bassist Gustaf Hielm.

Video footage of DARK FUNERAL performing at this year's edition of the Party.San Open Air festival — which was held August 6-8, 2009 in Bad Berka, Germany — can be viewed at this location. One of the clips can be viewed below.