Finnish metallers PAIN CONFESSOR have announced the addition of guitarist Tommi Kurki to the group's ranks. According to the band, Kurki "has been around since the first gigs of PAIN CONFESSOR. In fact, he has been our mainstay sound engineer for pretty much all these years. This made the transition from behind the mixer to the frontlines an easy one, and very natural."

The group continues, "He wasn't born yesterday as a guitarist either. Tommi 'Tommi Kurki' Kurki, or The Bullfinch, as we like to call him, played guitar in the old Finnish progressive metal band SANCNITY along with PAIN CONFESSOR producer Janne Saksa. SANCNITY's swansong was their excellent early '90s album 'Dew'.

"A multitude of musical paths were ventured after that, a few to mention were as a guitarist in WOODEN BONE (SANCNITY reincarnate as a more pop/rock-esque band) and as the vocalist for the Finnish punk band REHTORIT.

"We are proud to have such a rock-hard extra fist to smash into the collective behind of humanity. This will only make things worse for those against us and add even more spice for those who like what we dish out!"

PAIN CONFESSOR in June uploaded two new demo tracks — "X9" and "Reality Of Now" — to the band's MySpace page. The songs were recorded at the group's home studio and were mixed by Janne Saksa of Studio Sound Supreme, who "really made this work by mixing the whole thing and adding his own unique and special touch that we really have missed," according to the band.

PAIN CONFESSOR recently parted ways with Megamania Records and is currently seeking a new label home.

The band's third album, "Purgatory of the Second Sun", entered the Finnish chart at position No. 15 back in March 2007.

"Purgatory of the Second Sun" was recorded at Fantom studio and was previously described by the band as "raw and furious."

PAIN CONFESSOR's "Ne Plus Ultra" single entered the Finnish national chart at position No. 1. In addition to the title cut, the single included a cover of SURVIVOR's "Eye of the Tiger", which had "gone through a serious metal facelift," according to the group. A video for "Ne Plus Ultra" was shot by Vasara Films and can be viewed below.



(Thanks: fireangel / Night Elves)