UFO are busy with studio sessions in Germany, recording their new album, due out later this year.

Drummer Andy Parker has written a diary update with news and photos from the recording sessions:

"Hi all, Andy here.

Thought it was about time that I brought you up to date with what's been happening on the UFO front recently. As most of you know, we finished touring at the end of August '08 and after some well deserved rest we began collecting material for a new album. Everyone pitched in ideas so there was plenty of stuff to chose from.

We all met up in Hannover towards the end of January and after a few days in a rehearsal room we came up with a short list of thirteen songs. At this point Phil and Vinnie headed home to work on their parts while myself, Paul, our surrogate bassist (oddly enough also called Peter) and drum tech extraordinaire Andre headed to Area 51 studios in Celle to record drum tracks with our old pal Tommy Newton. This was my first time at Tommy's studio and I have to say I am extremely happy with the results. I had already decided that for this album I wanted to try and "get back to my roots" a bit, as far as the drum sound was concerned and I was not disappointed. Thanks to the combined efforts of Andre and Tommy the kit sounded amazing and the whole experience was thoroughly enjoyable. Interspersed with cups of Andre's special tea and large doses of Rab C. Nesbitt ( one of Tommy's favourites ) our work days were fun and productive - as you can see from the photos! I for one can't wait to hear the finished tracks. Special mention must also go to my 'home from home' Bohemia Hof. The owner is Peter (yet another one) and the two young ladies are Sarah and Steffie.

Of course the one downer in all of this was the absence of Mr. Way. Those of you who have read the news release will already know the reason so I won't go into it again. Suffice to say that we all wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on top very soon.

That is about all for now, Phil is heading to Germany once again to begin recording vocals. We are hoping that the album will be released some time in May/June to coincide with the start of our touring schedule. It only remains for me to thank you all for your continued support and to say that I am looking forward to seeing you all in the near future. Oh and BTW, I still haven't found a replacement for my missing 18" tom (details below) so please keep your eyes open. Thanks to all who contacted the website with info, even the guy who thought that he had seen Mick Fleetwood using it. Seems doubtful but we will leave no stone unturned!

All the best.

Andy."

The band recently announced that bassist Pete Way has been dealing with a medical condition which affects his liver, and he's currently undergoing treatment to cure it. He is forced to take some time out from UFO until he is recovered.

UFO are confirmed for the Wacken Open Air Festival 2009, which is scheduled to take place from July 30th - August 1st in Wacken, Germany.

Confirmed acts for the festival include: AMON AMARTH, BORKNAGAR, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, CALLEJON, CATHEDRAL, DRAGONFORCE, EINHERJER, EPICA, GWAR, HAMMERFALL, HEAVEN AND HELL, IN EXTREMO, IN FLAMES, KAMPFAR, KINGDOM OF SORROW, KORPIKLAANI, LACUNA COIL, MACHINE HEAD, MOTÖRHEAD, NAPALM DEATH, NEVERMORE, AXEL RUDI PELL, SARKE, TESTAMENT, TRISTANIA, TURISAS, UFO, WALLS OF JERICHO, WHIPLASH.

Organizers recently announced that the Wacken Open Air Festival 2009 is officially sold out.

For more info visit www.wacken.com.