IN THE STUDIO

Finnish melodic metallers Sonata Arctica have completed work on their new album, 'Unia' (Finnish for "Dreams"), due on May 25. The CD was mixed at Finnvox studio in Helsinki and was mastered at the Cutting Room in Stockholm, in Sweden.

Swiss hard rockers GOTTHARD have entered the studio to record their new album, entitled 'Domino Effect', which will be released in early summer 2007.

Next to guitarist Leo Leoni, Ronald Prent (who has already worked with the band on their last release, 'Lipservice) will take care of the production once again. Mix and mastering will happen in the Belgian Galaxy Studios (a.o. Rammstein).

Akercocke are gearing up for the recording of their fifth album. The suited ones plan to commence recording at their very own Goat of Mendes Studios.

Frontman Jason Mendonca describes the new material as "...a logical development from 'Words That Go Unspoken'. We are continuing to enhance and highlight the dynamics in our music. The contrast between light and shade is stronger in places although in essence, our new work promises to be our most violent. Expect hyperblast speeds that will shame the pretenders. Bludgeoning primitive death grooves, rancorous hate filled black metal and teutonic thrash assaults all seared with swathes of mind shredding electronica and dark, ancient textures."

Akercocke's last album was released on Earache in 2005. The forthcoming album to be released in May 2007 will be the band's third with Earache Records.