ELUVEITIE Checks In From The Studio

On March 7, Swiss folk metallers ELUVEITIE were awarded one of Switzerland's most prestigious recognitions in music: a Swiss Music Award in the category "Best Live Act National." ELUVEITIE was chosen to receive the honor after a highly competitive fan voting, marking the very first time ever for a metal band to receive this award.

ELUVEITIE has now returned to the New Sound Studio to begin work on the follow-up to 2012's "Helvetios", once again with producer Tommy Vetterli (CORONER) at the helm.

Says the band: "As always, working with Tommy Vetterli is as efficient as it is creative: both drum and guitar tracking is already completed!

"We have now begun work on the folk instruments and vocals at New Sound Studio, Lucerne's Soundfarm Studio, and Chrigel's [Glanzmann, vocals] home simultaneously.

"We are extremely proud of the new material and can't wait to present yet another big step in the evolution of ELUVEITIE later this year!

"We were also able to secure a bunch of exciting guest performers, the first of which we have recorded last week: the wonderful Christine Lauterburg.

"Not only is Christine one of the most original musicians in Switzerland, but she's really a living legend! Like no other, she has practiced and perfected the age-old tradition of Swiss jodel over many decades. She has set many milestones in the history of Swiss folk music, and delivered valuable contributions to the research and preservation of a tradition that may reach back all the way to the early ages, and originated with the Helvetian celts.

"We are proud to have Christine in our ranks. Her singing adds just that much more archaic authenticity to our sound, and contributes to the primeval rawness that will define our new album!"

ELUVEITIE recently announced the addition of violinist Nicole Ansperger to the group's ranks.

ELUVEITIE's latest album, "Helvetios", sold 4,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 143 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 3 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Helvetios" was released in Europe on February 10, 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records. The effort was recorded at New Sound Studio in Pfäffikon, a municipality in the canton of Zurich in Switzerland, with producer Tommy Vetterli (a.k.a. Tommy T. Baron; CORONER/ex-KREATOR guitarist).