Apocalyptica drummer Mikko Sirén recently guested on the Ghost Cult Podcast. During the interview, Mikko revealed that Apocalyptica were "in the studio for the past three months. We're going to release an all-original album next year... an instrumental album. It's been really, really fun to go back to our roots."

The band has now signed with Silver Lining Music, with the album release slated for early 2020. Apocalyptica has issued the following statement:

"We are excited to learn how a slim record company structure plus all the marketing instruments of perhaps the biggest metal music powerhouse (with festivals, touring business, merchandise, etc) are set up for 2020. This feels like the absolute right company for the times we are in. We are very excited about our new album and we have the strongest belief that Silver Lining is the right partner for our music."

Silver Lining owner Thomas Jensen: "I have always been amazed at the sheer talent and visionary trait of Apocalyptica. It's a dream come true to be able to work with them. With the leadership of Serena Furlan and the forward-thinking A&R direction of Rod S. Kukla, Silver Lining Music offer Apocalyptica a unique and exceptional partnership. The best is yet to come."

The as yet untitled new album will be Apocalyptica's ninth studio effort. Their most recent album, Shadowmaker, was released in 2015. It was the band's first album with one single vocalist, Franky Perez .

Swedish heavy metal heroes Sabaton are set to release their new album The Great War on July 19th. The band has announce their European tour dates for The Great Tour, with fellow Swedes Amaranthe and Finnish cello rockers Apocalyptica supporting.

"It is with great anticipation that we can finally reveal that The Great Tour is also coming to arenas in Europe. I wish it was already January the 17th and we entered the stage at Hallenstadion in Zürich, but time will pass quickly," announces Pär Sundstöm and adds: "You know by now how much we care about the bands we choose to bring with us on tour, this is no exception. Amaranthe is a rising star on the metal sky bringing such energy and passion rarely seen on stage and will open the evening. After that comes the big surprise for a lot of people who are not familiar with the cello rock band Apocalyptica, but trust us that their emotional show will definitively create magic in the arenas.

Finally, what we are bringing, except for our biggest touring production we ever did… is a promise to deliver a show that you never could imagine and the biggest announcement regarding this tour is still to come."

Amaranthe currently released their fifth album, Helix, and are more than happy to open up the battle:

"It is with absolutely massive levels of excitement that we announce our part in Sabaton's monster of a European tour next year! We have proudly watched as Sabaton has risen through the metal ranks, and with honor we finally join our Swedish brothers in this Cyclopean campaign set to steamroll across the continent. Although Amaranthe will open these night you can expect a more energetic and mesmerizing show than ever before, that will fill the arenas with pure modern metal madness! Do not miss this infernal machine of a tour, as lightning might not strike twice!"

Apocalyptica are currently working on their follow-up album to the successful Shadowmaker record. The Finnish cello rockers surprised by releasing their own version of the Sabaton single "Fields Of Verdun". Eicca Toppinnen states:

"As people may know we love to collaborate with other artists. We love the energy developing out of this and we embrace the learning from other professionals. Doing this incredible tour with Sabaton is something special for us. It is not only about writing and producing new music together, but also about the energy on stage. We are super excited and very much looking forward to this tour!‘

Tour dates are as follows:

January
17 - Zürich, Switzerland - Hallenstadion
18 - Stuttgart, Germany - Schleyer-Halle
19 - Munich, Germany - Olympiahalle
21 - Vienna, Austria - Gasometer
22 - Budapest, Hungary - Arena
24 - Warsaw, Poland - Arena COS Torwar
25 - Berlin, Germany - Max-Schmeling-Halle
26 - Prague, Czech Republic - O2 Arena
28 - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
31 - Frankfurt, Germany - Festhalle

February
1 - Oberhausen, Germany - König-Pilsener-ARENA
2 - Antwerp, Belgium - Lotto Arena
4 - Barcelona, Spain - Palau Sant Jordi
5 - Madrid, Spain - Vistalegre
7 - Paris, France - Zénith
8 - London, UK - Wembley Arena
9 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - AFAS Live
11 - Hamburg, Germany - Sporthalle
12 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Forum Black Box
14 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Scandinavium
15 - Stockholm, Sweden - Hovet
16 - Oslo, Norway - Spektrum