SPV/Steamhammer recently signed a worldwide deal with new melodic metal outfit ARTLANTICA. The group's debut album, Across The Seven Seas, will be released in Germany on May 24th, in Europe on May 27th and in North America on June 4th as CD and download (including bonus track 'Stormbringer').

Guitarist Roger Staffelbach says about the signing: "After all the blood, sweat and tears we've put into making that album, we're more than happy and excited to see our album getting released by one of worlds finest companies, SPV/Steamhammer. It's a true pleasure to work with Olly Hahn and all at SPV and we're confident that this is only the beginning. A big hello and thank you go out to Olly Hahn, all at SPV and Peter Knorn from our Management (UTM) for sharing our vision and making this happen."

A&R; Steamhammer Olly Hahn ads: "What do we have here: great melodies, awesome guitar virtuosity and a tight band which knows how to play melodic metal how it should be. We are more than happy to welcome Artlantica to the SPV family!"

Great vocal melodies with anthemic potential, virtuoso guitar and keyboard passages including spectacular solos, in addition to a blistering rhythm section which gives the songs their pace, groove and dynamics: the very ingredients which guaranteed seven brilliant releases in ten years from the American-Swiss cult act ARTENSION and caused a global stir on The End Of Never, the only album by Artension’s successor ANGEL OF EDEN, also inspire listeners on Artlantica’s debut album Across The Seven Seas. Which doesn't really come as a surprise: after all, Artlantica features three of the most important driving forces behind Angel of Eden in guitarist Roger Staffelbach, frontman John West and keyboardist Mistheria. In addition, Staffelbach and West (Artension, ROYAL HUNT) belonged to were the driving forces and founding members of Artension (together with Vitalij Kuprij , now TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA) and Mistheria has made a name for himself with his collaborations with Bruce Dickinson and Rob Rock. All three are without a doubt real masters of their trade who have combined their talents to present ten brilliant new songs. Staffelbach describes the result as...:"powerful, heavy occasionally majestic, grooving, melodious and timeless. Each instrument has its place, none of them sounds too dominant, everything has only one purpose, to serve the song."

Across The Seven Seas is a prime example of a diverse melodic metal album which combines compositional quality, great technical skill and charisma. Staffelbach comments enthusiastically about his two band colleagues: “John is a fantastic singer, everything he does is over the top, whether live or in the studio. An exceptionally gifted vocalist. It’s in his blood to write great melodies and turn songs into stories. Mistheria, on the other hand is a true artist by all means. I value his skills as a musician just as much as his gift for writing and arranging songs. We blend extremely well, in my opinion he’s one of the most accomplished keyboardists of our time.”

Not forgetting Staffelbach himself, who has contributed countless significant impulses to his new band. His unmistakable songwriting and guitar playing, his signature guitar sound and playing style, his persistence and ability to get projects off the ground and produce albums that have been and continue to be the base for the existence of Artension and now Artlantica with their furious debut album.

Staffelbach, West and Mistheria enjoy an excellent reputation among their colleagues and can pick and choose when it comes to selecting their guest musicians: Across The Seven Seas features Dani Löble (HELLOWEEN) and John Macaluso (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, TNT, ARK) on drums, the bass parts were recorded by Bass Icon Steve DiGiorgio (SADUS, TESTAMENT), who also worked with Artension and Angel Of Eden previously. And last but by no means least, Artlantica succeeded in enlisting none less than Chris Caffery of SAVATAGE/Trans-Siberian Orchestra as their guest guitarist. The result of this high-calibre collaboration was mixed and mastered at Tommy Newton‘s (Helloween, GAMMA RAY, among others) Area 51 studios, Newton also adding his extensive expertise.

So the world is eagerly awaiting a new band with its experienced members who have never sounded this good before in this formation. As Roger Staffelbach puts it so aptly: “Artlantica‘s music is gritty, excellently produced and absolutely song-oriented. But first and foremost this band consists of musicians who commit to themselves and really want to go for it with this band.”

Across The Seven Seas tracklisting:

'2012'

'Devout'

'Across The Seven Seas'

'You`re Still Away'

'Ode To My Angel'

'Fight For The Light'

'Demon In My Mind'

'Return Of The Pharaoh'

'Heresy'

'Nightmare Life'

Artlantica lineup (pictured below from left to right): Mistheria - keyboards, John West - vocals, John Macaluso - drums, Roger Staffelbach - guitars.

More on Artlantica at this location.