According to a report on Xfm Online, THE DARKNESS have now left the Welsh studio they were based in for the past few months recording their new album and have moved to a London studio to complete guitarist Dan Hawkins' guitar parts and singer Justin Hawkins' vocals.

As for indications of what the follow-up to "Permission to Land" sounds like, a report on the band's web site claims that the record will contain major orchestrations in the form of string arrangement by Paul Buckmaster, famous for his work with MILES DAVIS, THE ROLLING STONES and ELTON JOHN.

The STONES connection doesn’t stop there, as one track features a sitar used by the late great ROLLING STONES' multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones. Justin apparently taught himself how to play it during the sessions and uses it for a massive solo on the as-yet-unnamed song.

As for the recent departure of Frankie Poullain, the bassist's presence has not altered the album's projected fall release date. The statement also points out that the bass on the new record will be played by Dan, as Poullain "had yet to participate in the recording of the album when his exit from the band was announced, so no re-recording of bass parts will be necessary."

"We are sorry to see him [Frankie] go but musical differences are musical differences," Justin added. "The mood in the camp is optimistic. We are coming to terms with the fact that Frankie is no longer in the band."

And finally anyone who thinks the band may be downplaying their more flamboyant and grandiose tendencies on the new album will be happy to hear that while their classic track "Love Is Only A Feeling" featured 13 acoustic guitars, one song on the new album features 15, while another is said to feature 120 individual guitar parts, (and that's before Justin has added his twelve solos).