Finnish "dark metal" band EVEMASTER, which features in its ranks BATTLELORE's Tomi Mykkänen, is continuing work on its long-awaited new CD. According to Tomi, "We have sported the old-school way of recording with the album. As the drums are pretty much one take with no quantizing or corrections, I decided to use the same method with the guitars. So, when you listen to the album you'll probably be able to spot some 'errors' here and there. I think that just makes it a bit more "alive". I have used quadtracking for the rhythm guitars, melodies are only 1-2 guitars.

"Ville (of MOONSORROW fame, part of The Producers) will record the bass early February and I know that Eve (of MYGRAIN, DRAUGNIM) has started working on the synths. Also Markus (of OMNIUM GATHERUM, MANITOU) will provide a few guitar solos.

"So it seems that finally the things are moving into the right direction and the recording of the album will be finished soon. Then it's off to Mr. Dan Swanö for mixing and mastering. Yes, you read it right. Mr. Metal Legend Swanö will handle the mixing and mastering part of the album. And maybe something additional things but more on that later..."

The working title of the new EVEMASTER album is "III: Newtopia". According to Mykkänen, "It is a concept album revolving around a dystopian dream or a fall of this one pitiful man... Musically this album is the third part of the trilogy. Next album will be musically different going deeper in the emotions and darker side of human mind."

"III: Newtopia" working songtitles:

01. Enter Newtopia
02. New Age Dawns
03. Humanimals
04. Losing Ground
05. The Great Unrest
06. The Sweet Poison
07. Harvester of Souls
08. Fevered Dreams
09. Absolution

Rising Realm Records released a re-recorded version of EVEMASTER's debut album, re-titled "MMIV Lacrimae Mundi", in early 2005. Drums on "MMIV Lacrimae Mundi" were handled by CHILDREN OF BODOM's Jaska Raatikainen. According to the band, the idea behind the re-recording was to make it "as punk as possible … a lot harsher sounding and heavier than the original version."

EVEMASTER's second CD, "Wither", was recorded at Astia Studios (CHILDREN OF BODOM, WARMEN, ENTWINE) with producer Anssi Kippo and featured a guest appearance on drums by Raatikainen. Also included on the CD was a cover of TAROT's "Wings Of Darkness", with lead vocals courtesy of Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH, TAROT, ex-SINERGY).