FINNTROLL Signs With CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS

Finnish folk metallers FINNTROLL have inked a three-album, worldwide deal with Century Media Records. The band entered Sonic Pump studios in Helsinki in late July to begin recording its as-yet-untitled fifth album for an early 2010 release.

Commented Jens Prueter, head of A&R at Century Media Europe: "We started working with [FINNTROLL] in 2001 when we licensed 'Jaktens Tid' and the following two albums from their previous label Spinefarm for release in Germany, Benelux and North America. Since then we became good friends going through great times like a massive co-headline show at Wacken 2006 (to be seen on the 'Ur Jordens Djup' bonus DVD),the experience of a Fisherman's Friend Vodka Cocktail and many other great moments blurred by further alcohol abuse. And we also went through bad times like Teemu 'Somnium' Raimoranta's funeral, the day we had to bring Tundra to a doctor because his infected feet was already smelling bad and the Earthshaker Roadshock Tour 2007 that was cancelled after a few shows because of disastrous organization. Apart from that, we just love FINNTROLL for their unique dark blend of traditional Finnish hoedown music and folky black metal. There are only a few bands in metal that have such a unique style and we can't wait to hear the upcoming album."

Added FINNTROLL: "Yeah, that's right peeps. We're most enthusiastic to announce our signing with Century Media Records. We decided to continue our long co-op with CM, thanks to Jens 'very special' Prueter and Mr. Rosie of King Foo. FINNTROLL felt it's time to work directly with CM this time as we have all the trust with them and they have never let us down in the past. Our new album will be released worldwide through CM in early 2010, and with that said we're gonna do some heavy touring, that’s gonna start in February in Europe and after that we're gonna sail across the ocean to North America."

Keyboardist Henri "Trollhorn" Sorvali previously stated about the follow-up to 2007's "Ur Jordens Djup". "I personally think this will be our best album ever. Overall I can sense there's a lot 'punk' on it, lots of weirdness, a load of *riffs* instead of chord progressions, quite a bit of folkish parts and a lurking, evil atmosphere. In the terms of 'heaviness,' it's probably the heaviest album we've done, at least judging from the song material.

"I could pretty much safely say this sounds like a meaner and more wicked version of 'Ur Jordens Djup' with an occasional hint of the first album. For the disappointment for those who were waiting for songs sounding like 'Trollhammaren' or 'Jaktens Tid', I have to say that you probably should pick up the new KORPIKLAANI instead."

FINNTROLL's fifth album, "Ur Jordens Djup", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 91. The CD, which was recorded by Nino Laurenne at Sonic Pump studios in Helsinki, is the group's first release with Mathias Lillmåns following the departure of Tapio Wilska (SETHIAN, ex-WIZZARD, former session vocalist for NIGHTWISH) in January 2006.