White Empress, launched by former Cradle Of Filth guitarist Paul Allender, have issued the update:

"It's our pleasure to announce the addition of drummer Adam Sagan who will be joining us as a touring/session drummer for our Japan trip in May as well as other soon-to-be announced dates this spring. Adam has a long history in the metal scene and you may have seen him on tour with Circle II Circle or Into Eternity. Please join us in welcoming him to our live lineup!"

White Empress are scheduled to perform along with Belphegor at Club Quattro in Shibuya, Japan on Tuesday, May 12th at part of Masa Ito / Rock TV’s BURRN! 30th Anniversary, Rock Of Chaos Vol. 1. Tickets will go on sale on Saturday, March 7th.

Allender states: "As a band we have a ton of stuff planned for 2015. Firstly we are going overseas to play for our Japanese fans in May as well, as some warm up shows in the US prior to the Japanese dates. The shows are being recorded, so watch this space for future releases. We are extremely excited to get out on the road for you all and play. We will be meeting anyone who wishes to 'meet and greet' before or after the shows, or both. We have a European booking agent on board now who is working very hard to filling up 2015 dates. White Empress is all about the live experience, so come see us."

Formed by guitarist Paul Allender and with a full band lineup, this new venture into the metal landscape under the moniker of White Empress exudes the depth and ferocity of his prior work whilst pushing new boundaries. Allender's signature razor-sharp riffing and epic, melodic twists and turns compliment the sumptuously alluring and often demonic voice of Mary Zimmer (Luna Mortis) to create a master class in savage, yet uplifting metallic darkness.

The album was recorded in White Empress' studio and has been mixed and mastered by veteran producer, Kit Woolven (Thin Lizzy, Cradle Of Filth). With Allender's relentless guitar and Zimmer's diverse vocals, ranging from operatic to death metal screams, White Empress is exploring new areas of metal.

Tracklisting:

"Rise Of The Empress"
"The Congregation"
"A Prisoner Unleashed"
"Darkness Encroaching"
"Sven's Tower"
"Erased And Rewritten"
"The Ecstatic And The Sorrow"
"Dethroned"
"Obsession With The Empress (Human To Divine)"
"Ours To Burn"
"Exile (The Empress Returns)"
"Fall Of The Old Guard"

"The Ecstatic And The Sorrow" video:

"Darkness Encroaching" video:

Rise Of The Empress track-by-track: