Sweden's BLINDSIDE have issued the following update:

"1. Where have we been?

Last year was an unexpected and exciting year for us. For the first time since 1998 we did not tour in the U.S . We have been asking for years to stay in Sweden and Europe for the summer and this year the doors opened for us to make it happen.

Sweden is a different country in the summer and it was amazing to be at home and finally spend some time touring here. We also played the European festival circuit playing at the festivals we grew up dreaming about; Hulstfred, Download at Donnington, Pukkelpop and more, It was amazing to play with some of our favorite bands and in some places we have not been to nearly enough.

We were also privileged to take our first trip as a band to South Africa. As you many of you know Christian spent 6 weeks down there before we wrote the Great Depression record. The country, it's people and the experiences he had down there greatly shaped the record and it felt right that we go there to tour as a band and bring the year and the life cycle of the Great Depression to a close.

2. Where are we now?

Well we are writing a new record at home in Stockholm. As this newsletter is being written this band is working really hard on these songs.

We have decided that our next record has to be better than anything we've done before, soundwise, musically and lyrically and we will not release it until we feel that it is just that. This progress is moving along and we have a lot of new material that we are really proud of.

If things work out, as we hope they will, there will be glimpses of this material in some way or form within a not too distant future. So please have patience with us, we feel it will be worth the wait.

3. Where are we going?

Where AREN'T we going. First we are finally going to Australia! We are excited to be making our first trip "Down Under" at Easter. The list of dates and where you can buy tickets is all to the right.

We are also working on some new dates in Germany and Scandinavia in the early spring. We also hope to make our first trip to Asia and a return to South Africa this year. There are also rumors of visits to the big country in the west.

In the meantime we have some great new gear on the way to the online store, new shirts, scarfs, bags and much more.

We will also be posting some exciting new things on the web page so be sure to visit us at www.blindsideonline.com ."