So, it is time to reveal some things about the new album!

We are entering Fascination Street studios in Sweden, Orebro on June 15th to record our fifth album which will be called 'New Moon'. The album will be produced and mixed by Jens Bogren, who has worked with such names as Katatonia, Opeth, Paradise Lost and Amon Amarth, just to name a few. And as we announced earlier, Kai Hahto (Wintersun, ex-Rotten Sound) will be playing drums on the album. We are thrilled and looking forward to working with such professionals.

Here is the initial track listing for the album (although we reserve the right to change it if we feel like it)

1. These Woods Breathe Evil
2. Falling World
3. Sleepless Swans
4. And Heavens Cried Blood
5. New Moon
6. Lights on the Lake (Horror pt. III)
7. Servant of Sorrow
8. Weight of the Dead

The album will be released in early November 2009 around the world; we'll let you know the exact dates as soon as possible.

We are glad to announce that Kai Hahto (Wintersun, ex-Rotten Sound) will be playing drums on our forthcoming album and live shows next summer.

We have known Kai for years, and we have worked with him earlier when he played with us on our North American tour back in 2007. Knowing what he's capable of behind the drum set we are really excited about working with him again. We are confident that he can deliver drum parts that will not only perfectly fit the trademark Swallow the Sun -sound, but take it even further. We'll start rehearsing with him at the end of this month, and we'll keep you posted on how the album is coming up!

There is no easy way to phrase this, so let's get straight to the point: due to a mutual decision Pasi Pasanen will no longer be playing with Swallow the Sun.

Pasi, as one of the founding members, has been an integral part of the development of the band and it's sound since the beginning back in 2000. We have had good times, recorded 4 excellent albums and done unbelievable amounts of touring together, but now it's time for us to go on our separate ways.

Here's Pasi's comments on the situation:

"Lately, I've been having a lack of motivation towards this kind of music and touring. The guys have felt it too and there's no point for me to deny it. It just affects the chemistry in the band too much, so it is time for me to step aside. I've gotten many good friends and some of the best experiences ever touring with StS. About 200 shows in 21 countries is something I never thought I'd get to do, so I want to thank & hail all the great people, friends, bands we've toured with and especially Juha, Jämy, Martti, Aleksi and Mikko for these years. And I'm sure you fans wont be disappointed with the future StS. Me and Juha will continue working together in Plutonium Orange, and you never know what other things the future brings, so: cheers everyone, see you somewhere!"

We wish him well in everything, and Pasi will continue to play with Juha in Plutonium Orange - which is the band that got Swallow the Sun started in the first place - and they are just finishing their debut album.

For what it comes to upcoming shows and the new album nothing will change. We won't cancel any shows, and we will enter Fascination Street studios 15th of June to record our next album. More information about everything will follow soon.

Mikko, Markus and Aleksi are going to play two very special acoustic shows in Inferno Bar & Nightclubs in Jyväskylä and Tampere. The dates are:

15.5.2009 Jyväskylä, Inferno Bar & Nightclub
16.5.2009 Tampere, Inferno Bar & Nightclub

We've only played a unplugged set like this once before, so these are not going to take place too often - make sure you get there! We'll play a selection of special unplugged arrangements of our songs and some songs we've never even played before. See you at the shows!