MIDNATTSOL Parts Ways With Guitarist, Announces New Album Release Date

MIDNATTSOL — the German-Norwegian band featuring vocalist Carmen Elise Espenaes (the younger sister of LEAVES' EYES singer Liv Kristine) — will release its third album, "The Metamorphosis Melody", on March 25, 2011. The CD was recorded at Studio E (THE VISION BLEAK, LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE, SECRETS OF THE MOON) with producer Markus Stock. The group states, "In addition to 11 brand new songs with almost an hour playtime, we have made a limited edition for you as well, this time with both a bonus DVD and a bonus track, sung by [guitarist] Daniel Droste."

In other news, guitarist Daniel Droste recently left MIDNATTSOL in order to concentrate on his other band, AHAB. MIDNATTSOL says in a statement, "We want to thank Daniel from the bottom of our heart for all the awesome and funny moments together with him in the rehearsal room, studio, tour bus and, of course, on stage and wish him all the best for the future, both regarding his musical career and private life."

The group adds, "In order to be a complete band again, we are now in search of a new guitarist."

Regarding the new album's title, Carmen stated in a recent video message (see below),"On one side it stands as a great symbol for what we in MIDNATTSOL have experienced in the last months since the release of our last album.

"We've gone through a big change regarding band structure, and like you know, we've got a fantastic new guitarist, Alex [Kautz], and this had an immense influence on our music; I think you can hear that in the new songs. And at the same time it stands as great symbol for the individual change that each single member of MIDNATTSOL has gone through, so it's like a personal change as well. But like on all our albums, there is a deeper meaning of the title as well, and the thing is that I don't want to reveal too much because I want you, the listeners, to make your own interpretations. But what I can say is that the new album should be an encouragement to change, both personally and globally.

"All of the bandmembers in MIDNATTSOL think that this album is the best album we have ever made, so I really, really hope that you feel that as well."

MIDNATTSOL's second album, "Nordlys" (translated: Northern Light),was released in March 2009 via Napalm Records. The CD was mixed by Tue Madsen and was mastered at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland with Mika Jusilla.

MIDNATTSOL's debut album, "Where Twilight Dwells", was released in 2005 via Napalm Records.