Europe have completed recording of their next studio album, due early 2015. Singer Joey Tempest posted this update earlier today:
"Hi Friends
Well, you always hear it here first. We have finished the recording of our 10th album! Twelve songs were recorded at the the brand new PanGaia studios in Stockholm where we were the very first artist to record. We loved it! The studio is absolutely top of the range and the staff was incredibly helpful. Of course we packed the place full of vintage microphones and "gear" to create an atmosphere on this record and to warm the sound up. Dave Cobb, our producer, really brought something amazing to this album and made us play from heart and soul. He will now mix it in his studio in the US. This record sounds truly enigmatic! what a great vibe! As always we're on a new journey with every record we make and this time we have really gone for it. We can't wait for you guys to hear it! We did film some stuff during the recording and will put something together for you guys in a little while."
Last month the band announced a new record deal with label UDR:
EUROPE SIGNS WITH UDR RECORDS
German-based label delighted to announce signing of Swedish rock legends
Swedish rock group Europe have signed with UDR Records for the release of their as-yet-untitled forthcoming album in early March 2015. The recording commences this month in Stockholm.
Europe’s front man Joey Tempest “We’re really excited to be working with the people at UDR. A very credible label and I am impressed with their work building a future and a solid foundation for their Artists”
UDR President/owner Ulrike Rudolph expressed her delight in capturing the band for the label.
“We are always looking to expand the label’s stable of bands with quality, not quantity, and Europe represent the finest in supremely written hard rock music,” said Rudolph. “They are a group who refuse to rest on their past and continue to grow as artists and musicians, so we are absolutely delighted they have come to us.”
Production on the new material will be handled by Dave Cobb (Rival Sons).
“He is one of few producers out there who is saving rock ‘n’ roll,” said Joey Tempest, “when we first heard Pressure and Time by Rival Sons, we just went ‘who the hell produced this stuff? It’s got tons of heart and soul, it’s cocky, it’s got that swagger, it’s alive and real.’ That’s the journey we’re on with Europe, trying to dig deeper to find more soulful expressions and play straight from the core! So we’re extremely excited to bring this guy into our team.”
The multi-platinum, 20-million-plus selling quintet, recorded 1986’s smash-hit The Final Countdown and toured the World playing sold-out concerts while cementing their place as one of the biggest rock bands of the ‘80s.
After re-grouping in 2004 with the ‘classic’ line-up, the band continued their success into the 21st century with Classic Rock Magazine stating upon the release of their last album in 2012, ‘Europe are one of the greatest rock bands on the planet right now.’
In 2015, Europe will once again take to the road as they begin a UK/Ireland tour in Dublin on March 2nd (their first visit to Ireland in 25 years). More dates to co-incide with the albums cycle will be announced shortly including territories the band has not visited in some time.
Europe are
Joey Tempest – Vocals
John Norum – Guitars
John Leven – Bass
Mic Michaeli – Keyboards
Ian Haugland – Drums
