THUNDERSTONE: New Album Title, Record Label, Release Date Announced

Finnish metallers THUNDERSTONE have inked a deal with Sony Music Finland. The band's fifth studio album, "Dirt Metal", will be released in the group's home country on September 9. A video for the CD's first single, "I Almighty", was recently filmed and is expected to make its online debut this summer.

THUNDERSTONE was originally hoping to release the new album in April,
but decided to push back the effort because they wanted to take their time creating what bass player Titus Hjelm has called teh band's "heaviest, grooviest and all-around best album yet."

THUNDERSTONE recently posted a new song, "Star", on the band's MySpace page. The track showcases THUNDERSTONE at its heaviest so far and features guest vocals from AMORPHIS frontman Tomi Joutsen. The song was also released on Playground Music's "Dark Playground" compilation, which was made available for free at the Finnish Metal Expo on February 13-14.

THUNDERSTONE last year announced the addition of singer Rick Altzi from Sweden to the group's ranks. Rick has contributed his wonderful voice to many metal albums, most recently with German group AT VANCE (a band which he is still a member of).

August 2007 saw THUNDERSTONE part ways with vocalist Pasi Rantanen and keyboard player Kari Tornack, leaving fans wondering about the future of the band. The group, however, did not rest on its heels and did a full European tour in October-December 2007, recruiting vocalist Tommi "Tuple" Salmela from TAROT and keyboardist Jukka Karinen. The temporary lineup created a flood of speculation, which has been put to rest with the announcement of the band's new formation. On the keyboards the band enlisted Jukka Karinen, who already handled the keyboard duties on the European tour.