Open Grave Records and NePlusUltra Music have announced the signing of Finland's female-fronted melodic metal band VENIA.

VENIA got its start in 2002 when guitarists Viktor and Jere started jamming together and seeking other like-minded musicians. The lineup was finally completed in the spring of 2004, and a demo, titled "Genesis", was recorded.

In 2005 VENIA completed its first offical studio recording, a mini-CD entitled "In Our Weakness", which was released via Bombworks Records.

Now in 2009 the band is set to release its debut full-length album, titled "Victory by Surrender". The CD will be a co-release between Open Grave Records and newly founded NePlusUltra Music. An April 14 release is expected.

Viktor of VENIA states in regards to the new album, "It's another big step forward for us as we set the bar very high. It includes 11 songs; two instrumentals, six songs in English and three in Finnish. Four of the songs are new and much improved versions of songs that were on our first demo. Musically it will be sort of a blend of the 'Genesis' demo and 'In Our Weakness'; the thrash and power elements are still present, but everything has a bit of a classic heavy metal feel to it with plenty of galloping rhythms and dual leads. I'd say it's more melodic and catchy than 'In Our Weakness' but just as heavy. Oh yeah, we have also included a lot more violin than before."

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/veniaband.