PAIN: Eight Songs 'More Or Less Ready To Go' For Next Album

Swedish metallers PAIN, who are led by HYPOCRISY mainman Peter Tägtgren, have issued the following update:

"What the hell is going on?! Well… It's been a while since the last update and we thought it was about time to let you in on a couple of things.

"The last couple of months every one of us has been pretty busy with anything but PAIN. As you may know, Peter has been concentrating on HYPOCRISY this year and recently came home from a successful tour in South America. David [Wallin, drums], who just got signed up with Zildjian, is working for Unique Pyrotechnic along with doing a lot of different stand-in club shows in Sweden. Johan [Husgafvel, bass] became a dad in August [mother is his girlfriend, NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon. — Ed.] (best wishes from us all),and the more time spent away from PAIN means the more time spent with his family. Michael [Bohlin, guitar] is working with different side projects along with his work for Digidesign.

"Now, the following months will be dedicated to PAIN and to finish the new songs. Up 'till today eight songs are more or less ready to go, and at least three or four more are needed before we can start recording. Our plans are to start the recordings in late 2010 or early 2011, and have the album ready for a worldwide release sometime in May 2011. After that, we're about to hit the road and do as many of the summer festivals as we can. Of course, there will be a headline tour as well, and if everything works out we'll even break new grounds. Work has also begun with designing a new stage set that will be something out of the average.

"As you may understand we're more eager than ever to record this album, make it the best, and play it for you live. So stay tuned and visit our websites for continuous information, studio reports, album details, and the first show dates for 2011."

"Cynic Paradise", the latest album from PAIN, sold around 300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The effort was made available in North America on June 8 via Nuclear Blast Records. The North American version of the LP features an alternate cover and a bonus live CD recorded on March 23-24, 2009 at the Zenith in Paris, France during the band's European tour with NIGHTWISH.

"Monkey Business", the latest video from PAIN, can be viewed below. The clip was shot at the band's aforementioned March 2009 shows in Paris.

"Cynic Paradise" was released in Germany in October 2008 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to "Psalms of Extinction" (which was released in 2007 via Roadrunner) features "eleven gems offering a vast variety of styles and influences which are even new for PAIN," according to a press release. NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon makes a guest appearance on two tracks — "Follow Me" and "Feed Us". The artwork was created by renowned artist Travis Smith (AMORPHIS, OPETH, NEVERMORE).