VIKING SKULL Rejoined By Original Guitarist For UK Tour

England's VIKING SKULL will be rejoined by original guitarist Darren Smith for the upcoming UK tour in December "due to Rich Vose [current VIKING SKULL guitarist] being missing and not being able to be contacted," according to a posting on the group's MySpace page.

For a list of upcoming VIKING SKULL shows, go to this location.

Powerage Records, in cooperation with Candlelight Records, has set a November 25 American release date for "Doom Gloom Heartache & Whiskey", the new album from VIKING SKULL. Recorded and produced outside Philadelphia, where Candlelight's American offices are located, the record is the first to feature new drummer Jess Margera (CKY).

Born to rock and rock hard they do, VIKING SKULL make their proper US introduction with the release of "Doom Gloom Heartache & Whiskey". Due to limited label support and resources, the band's two previous albums are hard-to-find items for the group's fast-growing fanbase. Vocalist Roddy Stone notes, "Being signed to a record company that actually wants to sell records and help us out a bit by splashing some cash so we can actually record an album and tour is a first for us. It's like upgrading from sails to a big jet engine on a battle ship armed with riffs and songs so dense they can crush planets. It's a perfect combination to rid the world of the piss weak metal we hear today; bands who spend more time doing their hair and chasing the latest fad than actually writing a decent tune. This is the year of the skull, our boots are heavy and your hinges are weak… Watch out!"

Stone, along with bassist Waldie, guitarists Dom and Brandwine Eel and Margera, take their love of SABBATH and add to it modern rock icons to create a good ole rock 'n' roll vibe that is contagious and fun. Already a noted live performer in Europe where the band have toured with the likes of DIO, HIM, CLUTCH, and two appearances at the prestigious Download festival, VIKING SKULL are looking forward to their first big performances in the U.S. "It's about time VIKING SKULL got to play some proper gigs in the U.S.," says drummer Jess Margera. "I was starting to get sick of always having to fly across the Atlantic Ocean every time I needed to get my fix. The United States needs VIKING SKULL! Maybe the country would be in better shape right now if we got John McCain and Barack Obama a beer, a shot of whiskey and the new VIKING SKULL album."

"Doom Gloom Heartache & Whiskey" is the first album from newly formed London-based Powerage Records. A joint venture between Classic Rock magazine and Plastichead Music Distribution, Powerage was intently formed to champion high-voltage rock and roll. A&R veteran Derek Oliver has been brought in to oversee artist liaison while the editorial and sales teams of Classic Rock and Plastichead Music tackle the marketing and sales for the artists. In the U.S., Candlelight Records will oversee and coordinate all efforts for Powerage with the help of Caroline Distribution/EMI Music Marketing.

"Doom Gloom Heartache & Whiskey" track listing:

01. Start a War
02. Doom Gloom Heartache & Whiskey
03. In Hell
04. Hair of the Dog
05. Shot Down
06. Double or Quits
07. In for the Kill
08. 19 Swords
09. Drink

Check out the CD's title track and "Hair of the Dog" at this location.