Greek melodic metallers FIREWIND have spent the past few months writing material for their new album for an early 2012 release via an as-yet-undetermined record label. The band’s guitarist, Gus G., who is also a member of Ozzy Osbourne’s band, writes on Twitter, “I’ve been rehearsing this past week with FIREWIND like crazy. We’re ready to start recordings.”
FIREWIND is currently seeking a new label home following the expiration of the band’s contract with Century Media Records.
In a recent interview with Oregon Music News, Gus stated about the relative lack of promotion for FIREWIND’s latest studio album, “Days Of Defiance”, “If were up to me, I would have released the album after I would be available to tour behind it. This was the label’s idea who wanted to the album out. Our current label, Century Media, wanted it released. They said, ‘We paid you to record the album and we want the masters.’ I said, ‘Okay, here you go.’ I didn’t feel good about it. This is the politics of the music business, I tried to make the label see that sure we’d get some press due to my involvement in Ozzy’s band, but we would not be able to tour. Waiting 10 months to tour behind an album isn’t a good business.”
When asked if there were any plans for FIREWIND to re-release “Days Of Defiance” as an “expanded” edition to coincide with the band’s recent North American headlining tour, Gus said, “We have thought about it but it goes back to the politics with our label. This was our last album for Century Media and unless you’re signed for a long-term contract, they aren’t going to do much for you. So for FIREWIND, this time around, there wasn’t any creative marketing behind the album. It’s sad, because I do feel that it’s our best album to date and the fans absolutely love it. Unfortunately, there could have better promotion and Century Media should have waited a few months to release it, but that’s record label politics for you.”
Quality multi-camera video footage of FIREWIND’s October 16, 2011 concert at Peabody’s in Cleveland, Ohio as part of the “Frets Of Fury” tour with ARSIS, WHITE WIZZARD and NIGHTRAGE can be viewed below (filmed in 1080p high definition by Ken Kitt and Kim Schleeper; edited and produced by Ken Kitt for FIREWIND and Vidz-R-Us.com).
“Days Of Defiance” landed at position No. 53 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200. The CD was released in North America on October 26, 2010 (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media Records.
Source: www.blabbermouth.net