Japan's BLOOD STAIN CHILD have checked in with the following update:

"So, apparently, we had some small changes in our tour schedule. They concern the Russia/Ukraine dates. A couple of club names have been changed and the Ekaterinenburg concert will be held on the 13th instead of the 14th. We apologise for the confusion to the Russian fans."

The band's schedule is now as follows:

November

23 - Cologne, Germany - MTC
25 - Hamburg, Germany - Headcrash
26 - Wroclaw, Poland - Firlej
27 - Munich, Germany - Feierwerk
29 - Milano, Italy - Palazzo Granaio
30 - Thessaloniki Greece - 8 Ball Club

December

1 - Thessaloniki, Greece - 8 Ball Club (special DJ event: Japan & Anime Party, hosted by Sophia)
3 - Montpellier, France - Secret Place
4 - Paris, France - Divan du Monde
6 - London, UK - The Underworld
9 - Saint Petersburg, Russia - Zal Ozhidaniya
10 - Moscow, Russia - XO Club
11 - Kiev, Ukraine - Club Bingo
13 - Ekaterinburg, Russia - Tele Club

As previously reported, vocalist Sophia is featured in a new interview with BW&BK; scribe Carl Begai, discussing her entrance in to the band for their new album, Epsilon. An excerpt from the story is available below:

Epsilon is the logical follow-up to Mozaiq (from 2007), pushing the trance elements that have become a Blood Stain Child trademark even deeper into the spotlight. There’s plenty of full-on metal and shred to be had but there’s no mistaking the pop influences, making for a dangerous balancing act that could have sunk Epsilon like the Titanic if the band’s judgement had been off the mark.

“Well, for me, pop music is not a threat or a kind of desecration that demands public decapitation, as long as it’s done in a way that kicks everybody’s ass,” says Sophia. “All music is good, as long as there’s someone to do it right and pull those specific strings that end up creating a song that you can’t get out of your head. I know many fans might give us a grumpy face for sounding less *metawwwl* and more – God forbid – pop, but I suggest you give the album a good listen before putting a band on the cross and blaming it for selling out.”

Unfortunately, in this day and age pop music isn’t associated with melody alone; auto-tuned vocals play a large part in making mainstream hits what they are. Blood Stain Child clearly weren’t aiming to break Ke$ha’s bank or cop her image, but some of Sophia’s vocals have been tweaked. Given the cybernetic nature of the music on Epsilon the auto-tuning can be easily accepted (and overlooked), but Sophia’s natural, deeper range that make a much bigger impact.

“I have to agree with you on this,” says Sophia. “I’m not a fan of auto-tune abuse, I prefer my natural voice, whatever that is. Overdosing on effects gives people the impression that you’re hiding behind a computer. I am who I am, I have nothing to hide. However, you should keep in mind that Ryu (guitars) is a huge fan of vocaloids – Hatsune Miku and such – and sometimes he thinks I’m a vocaloid, too. Therefore, in some songs – ‘Electricity’ for example – he didn’t leave any space to breathe between the lyrics. Sorry to break the bubble, Ryu, but I too need some air (laughs).”

Go to this location for the complete story.

Epsilon is out now in Europe via Coroner Records. The tracklist is below:

'Sirius VI'

'Forever Free'

'Stargazer'

'S.O.P.H.I.A.'

'Unlimited Alchemist'

'Electricity'

'Eternal'

'Moon Light Wave'

'Dedicated To Violator'

'Merry-Go-Round'

'LA+'

'Sai-Ka-No'

Check out BW&BK;'s review of the album here.