NEEDLEYE: The Beast Has Been Put To Sleep

London-based metal band NEEDLEYE, whose most recent recording/touring lineup included drummer Adrian Erlandsson (CRADLE OF FILTH, AT THE GATES, THE HAUNTED),has called it quits. The group's official statement on the matter reads as follows:

"And so it came to pass that the NEEDLEYE beast would be put to sleep.

"NEEDLEYE was formed through a desire to create an unrelenting assault on the senses, to push the boundaries and deliver head-crushing metal to the masses. Not wanting to water-down the music or dilute the passion that drove the band, we have all decided that NEEDLEYE has reached its logical conclusion.

"NEEDLEYE was always a strong band and as such we want it to have a strong ending. The new tracks that we have just finished in the studio will still be put up [on the band's MySpace page] as a testament to the cause and as a thank you to all those that have served under NEEDLEYE and helped us along the way.

"To all the members past and present, to all of you that tore shit up at the gigs, to all the bands we have played with, to all the blown PAs, broken stages and all those that ever believed in us — we salute you."

NEEDLEYE last year completed work on a new album, "Ode to None", at Hateswitch Inc. in London's Camden Town. The CD, which also features guest vocals from ex-MATTER vocalist and BOWLRIDER bassist Dom Lawson, contains "ten tracks of furious, genre-defying metal that redefines the NEEDLEYE sound and is set to establish them within the metal elite," according to a press release. "Ode to None" also features the skills of multi-talented instrumentalist Matt Hart of TEAR MY STRINGS, who adds a unique classical finale to the unrelenting fury of "This Machine" with his 250-year old, hand-built viola, which is worth a reported £20,000.

NEEDLEYE was the brainchild of Duncan Wilkinson (vocals) and also included Mike Fletcher and James Howard on guitars, and Ray Holroyd on bass.