Candlelight Records USA has issued the following press release:

Candlelight Records USA has made available the first tracks from upcoming new albums from Finland's SWALLOW THE SUN and Germany's MASTERPLAN. To listen bring your browser to the label's official page located at www.myspace.com/candlelightrecordsusa.

'These Hours Of Despair' is from Swallow the Sun's new album titled Hope. Set to hit US stores on March 20th, the anticipated album features guest appearances from Jonas Renske (KATATONIA) and Tomi Joutsen (AMORPHIS). A video has already filmed for album track 'Don’t Fall Asleep'; premiere detals will follow shortly. Kerrang! says, “not since My Dying Bride's classic Turn Loose The Swans has there been such a flawless example of how sorrow can be harnessed to the heaviest of guitar tones, capped with virtuoso guttural growls and graced with an immaculate production patina, to such devastating effect. Every one of these eight tracks is an absolute fucking monster.”

'Lost And Gone' is from Masterplan's third album titled MKII. Also set for US release March 20th, it is the first album to feature new vocalist Mike DiMeo (RIOT) and drummer Mike Terrana (Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony MacAlpine, RAGE). Mixed and mastered at Helsinki's renowned Finnvox Studios (NIGHTWISH, LORDI), MKII was produced by guitarist/band leader Roland Grapow (ex-HELLOWEEN) and again showcases the band’s exceptional musicianship and the stellar dynamic charm that has made them popular since their launch in 2002. Blabbermouth said of Aeronautics, the band's previous album, “Masterplan along with such forward-thinking power metal acts as Kamelot and Nocturnal Rites prove that there is indeed plenty of life left in the genre. A must-have album for anyone that has an appreciation for all things heavy and melodic.”