SOLUTION .45 Parts Ways With Keyboardist

Swedish/Finnish progressive metal "supergroup" SOLUTION .45, which features in its ranks former SCAR SYMMETRY vocalist Christian Älvestam, and Jani Stefanovic (MISERATION, ESSENCE OF SORROW),has parted ways with keyboardist Mikko Härkin (ex-SONATA ARCTICA, KOTIPELTO). The band states, "Mikko, unfortunately, did not want to contribute to SOLUTION .45 as a full time member and since this is a full-time band, we decided to part ways with him. Mikko still contributed keyboards to the [debut SOLUTION .45 album], but he will be regarded as a guest musician on the album rather than a band member."

The group adds, "We are not quite sure what the future will hold as far as the keyboard situation, but we will back-track Mikko's parts for the live setting and continue as a five-piece for now."

SOLUTION .45's debut CD was recorded at Panic Room studios in with producer Tomas "Plec" Johansson. The album, which features lyrics written entirely by Mikael Stanne of DARK TRANQUILLITY, will be released in Europe via AFM Records and in Japan through Marquee/Avalon. The cover artwork was created by Pär Olofsson.

Commented the band: "We are beyond relieved to have finished this album, which took about three months of pre-production, three months of recording and an extremely hectic month of mixing and mastering. However, we are very pleased with the results."

Regarding Mikael Stanne's contribution to the CD, Älvestam previously stated, "I've personally been a huge fan of [Stanne's] earlier work and writing skills for quite some time now, so it's a great honor and privilege to have him aboard. However, I still compose[d] the vocal arrangements and melodies for the album, so do not fear in that regard.

"Why don't I write the lyrics myself, you may wonder? The thing is, over the years I've kind of lost the spark, or the driving force (or whatever you'd like to call it),needed in order to write lyrics good enough to satisfy my inner critic. However, on an impulse, I can still write some decent stuff every now and then, but unfortunately, these occasions have grown further and further apart over the last couple of years. Therefore I rather delegate this duty to more suitable people nowadays, who I know can deliver the goods, so to speak."

Älvestam previously stated about SOLUTION .45: "Since I'm responsible for introducing the multi-vocal style in SCAR SYMMETRY, as well as writing like 75% of all the vocal-melodies and 90% of all the growled parts, you will most likely recognize the style and hooks in SOLUTION .45. I've been writing and doing these multi-vocals since the early '90s in several bands (such as UNMOORED, SOLAR DAWN and SCAR SYMMETRY, to name a few) and since this style very much reflects who I am, musically, I have no plans abandoning it any time soon! All the aforementioned bands have vocally been a lengthening of my urge to write and experiment with these different vocal styles and hooks and SOLUTION .45 feels very much like the next natural step, in this 15-year long journey, starting back in 1993 with the birth of UNMOORED! It's been a while since it felt this inspiring and rewarding though!"

SOLUTION .45 is:

Christian Älvestam (SCAR SYMMETRY) - Vocals
Jani Stefanovic (MISERATION, ESSENCE OF SORROW) - Guitar
Tom Gardiner (HATEFORM) - Guitar
Anders Edlund (ANGEL BLAKE) - Bass
Rolf Pilve (MISERATION, ESSENCE OF SORROW) - Drums