POWER QUEST: U.K. Tour, Festival Appearances Announced

U.K-based metallers POWER QUEST will return to Prestatyn, North Wales on Saturday, March 19 as part of Hammerfest III. In addition, the band has announced a headlining U.K. dates tour in May promoting its eagerly anticipated new album, "Blood Alliance". The group will showcase a handful of new tracks in London, Derby, Manchester and Glasgow.

Commented keybaordist Steve Williams: “We are really excited to hit the road again. It's been way too long for our U.K. fans and we finally return to Glasgow as well! The demand was so high, we couldn't miss that. And we are also working on a few European dates. So 2011 will see a lot of us, that's for sure!!"

"Blood Alliance" tour schedule:

Festivals:

Mar. 19 - Hammerfest III, Prestatyn, Noth Wales
May 29-Jun. 8 - Hard Rock Hell Roadtrip, Ibiza
Aug. 13 - Bloodstock Open Air, Derby, UK

U.K. headlining tour:

May 05 - London, UK - Purple Turtle
May 06 - Derby, UK - Redemption Club
May 07 - Manchester, UK - Satan's Hollow
May 08 - Glasgow, UK - Classic Grand

"Blood Alliance" will be released via Napalm Records on the following dates:

Japan, Southeast Asia: January 26 (through Marquee/Avalon)
Spain, Finland, Sweden: March 23
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, Italy: March 25
Rest of Europe: March 28
USA, Canada: April 5

"Blood Alliance" was recorded at Foel Studios (PAUL RODGERS, NAPALM DEATH, THE WILDHEARTS) in Wales next . Eleven songs were laid down for the follow-up to 2008's "Master Of Illusion", including one bonus track. The CD cover artwork was once again designed by Felipe Machado (BLIND GUARDIAN, SILENT FORCE) and can be viewed below.

Commented keyboardist Steve Williams: "Well, it has been a long time coming but finally the fifth POWER QUEST album is done and I don't think I have ever been so excited about releasing an album. All the guys have given 110% to this record and I'm proud of them all. It's without doubt the heaviest POWER QUEST album yet but without sacrificing the POWER QUEST melodic tradition. I just can't wait for you all to hear it!"

"Blood Alliance" track listing:

01. Battle Stations
02. Rising Anew
03. Glorious
04. Sacrifice
05. Survive
06. Better Days
07. Crunching The Numbers
08. Only In My Dreams
09. Blood Alliance
10. City Of Lies
11. Time To Burn (Japanese bonus track)

POWER QUEST in May 2010 announced the addition of vocalist Chitral "Chity" Somapala and guitarist Gavin Owen (of Welsh metallers TRIAXIS) to the group's ranks. The band stated at the time, "Chity is well known and highly regarded worldwide in the rock and metal scene and has recorded, toured and made guest appearances with the likes of AVALON, FARO, FIREWIND and RED CIRCUIT, as well as fronting his own band CIVILIZATION ONE. His unmistakable style has been compared favorably with Ronnie James Dio, Klaus Meine and Johnny Gioeli."

POWER QUEST in March 2010 parted ways with singer Pete Morten and guitarist Ben Randall due to "musical differences."

POWER QUEST's last album, "Master of Illusion", was released in 2008 via Napalm Records/Avalon Marquee (Japan). Guest musicians on the CD include keyboardist Richard West from the U.K. progressive metal band THRESHOLD, Jorn Viggo Lofstad from the Norwegian power metal act PAGAN'S MIND and FOURWAYKILL singer Chris Neighbour.

POWER QUEST is:

Chity Somapala - Vocals
Steve Williams - Keyboards
Andy Midgley - Guitars
Gavin Owen - Guitars
Paul Finnie - Bass
Rich Smith - Drums

Photo credit: Dijana Capan