DOWNSPIRIT, the German/Swiss bluesy/hard-rocking-metal-oriented band formed by ex-SYMPHORCE/ex-FREEDOM CALL guitarist Cedric "Cede" Dupont, has entered the studio to begin recording their new album. A release is expected for late summer via Metalville Records, followed by a tour in fall/winter.

Photos from the studio can be seen at the band’s Facebook page.

In other news, guitarist Cedric "Cede" Dupont has been part of the Help! for Japan project that just released an EP worldwide to help raise funds for the victims of the horrible earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan last year.

A trailer for the EP can be seen below:

This EP includes the following four songs:

'Help!'

'Help!' (Tommy Heart Version)

'Help!' (Guitar Version)

'Help!' (Extended Version)

Help! for Japan enlists numerous famous guest of Europe's metal/rock scene:

The musicians: Don Airey (keyboards and piano; DEEP PURPLE), Leo Leoni (guitar; GOTTHARD), Neil Murray (bass; ex-WHITESNAKE), Hena Habegger (drums; GOTTHARD)

The singers: Tobias Sammet (EDGUY, AVANTASIA), Bob Catley (MAGNUM), Andi Deris (HELLOWEEN), Torstein Flakne (STAGE DOLLS), Marc Storace (KROKUS), David Readman (PINK CREAM 69), Claus Lessmann (BONFIRE), Oliver Hartmann (HARTMANN), Bernhard Weiss (AXXIS), Michael Kiske (UNISONIC), Tony Mills (TNT), Carsten Lizard Schulz (EVIDENCE ONE) and Tommy Heart (Soul Doctor, Fair Warning),

The solo guitar players: Kyoji Yamamoto (BOWWOW), Helge Engelke (Fair Warning), Roland Grapow (MASTERPLAN), Leo Leoni (Gotthard), Henny Wolter (NITROGODS), Robert R. Rodrigo (AIRLESS)

All 'Help!' versions produced and mixed by Tommy Heart, Tommy Remm and Rene Schostak (VALICON).

Vocal arrangement by Tommy Heart.

Solo guitar arrangement for 'Help!' (guitar version) by Helge Engelke.

Audio mastering by TMM/Tom Müller Berlin/Germany.

Cover artwork 'Help! For Japan' designed by Kai Swillus.

For more details visit Facebook.