Official press release:
Norway’s Leprous are pleased to announce their much-anticipated new fifth studio album Malina for release on the August 25th, 2017, the follow-up to their acclaimed record The Congregation.
Following a hugely successful EU tour as support to label-mates Devin Townsend Project, the band started the recording of the follow-up to 2015’s The Congregation. Front-man and keyboard player Einar Solberg comments:
“This album is the perfect example of how you can start with a vision and end up with a result that has nothing to do with the original idea. The writing of the album started out with the idea to perfect the sound and working method we began with on The Congregation. While the writing process was actually pretty similar (30 sketches, elimination process etc etc) we gradually started noticing stuff with the sound and the songwriting on the previous album that we wanted to sound different. Gradually we realized what needed to be done. This album needs to sound more alive, more organic and more dynamic.”
The band entered the studio with David Castillo at Ghost Ward in Sweden, while mixing duties were once again taken care of by Jens Bogren.
“David immediately understood where we wanted to go. We spent probably 4 times as many days in the studio as with any other recording we’ve done, for we’ve come to learn that if you want to sound unique that is primarily done during recordings, not the mix. We wanted it to sound like it sounded. We did not want to ‘digitalize’ the sound.”
With Malina, Leprous have made every effort to try new ways of working, and push the boundaries of their sound in ways they had not originally set out to do.
“We feel with Malina that we’ve managed to achieve a natural sounding organic album with great songs that still sounds modern. Organic doesn’t necessarily equal ‘retro’. While we still very much sound like Leprous, I believe that with this album we more accurately define as a rock band than a metal band. We’re insanely proud of this album, and can’t wait to share it with you all.”
This feeling is reflected in the stunning cover artwork too, which you can see above. Einar continues:
“We wanted to try something new this time, and work with a new artist. Some good musician friends of ours recommended Corey Meyers. I checked him out, and damn he’s good. This is the first time we’ve ever received the perfect cover on the first attempt. It represents the album perfectly and looks pretty amazing!”
As mentioned, Leprous will head out on an extensive European tour this Autumn with Agent Fresco as special guests, including an appearance at the UK’s Damnation Festival. The band comments:
“We’re super excited to announce that we’re heading out on a European tour this fall to celebrate the new album. And guess what!? We’re bringing one of our generations greatest with us: the amazing Agent Fresco! In addition to that we’re bringing AlithiA from Australia, as well as Astrosaur – the band featuring our great step-in guitarist from the Devin tour. This is a dream tour for us, to be able to perform in all of these great places for our fantastic fans, listen to amazing music every night and also travel Europe with really good friends!”
10/29 – Copenhagen, DK | Pumpehuset
10/29 – Hamburg, DE | Logo
10/30 – Cologne, DE | Luxor
10/31 – Esh, LU | Rockhal
11/01 – Haarlem, NL | Patronaat
11/02 – London, UK | The Dome
11/03 – Dublin, IE | Voodoo Lounge
11/04 – Leeds, UK | Damnation Festival
11/05 – Vosselaar, BE | Biebob
11/06 – Paris, FR | Trabendo
11/07 – Nantes, FR | Barakason
11/08 – Bordeaux, FR | Rocher Palmer
11/11 – Toulouse, FR | Le Metronum
11/12 – Marseille, FR | Le Moulin
11/13 – Milan, IT | Magnolia
11/14 – Lyon, FR | CCO Villeurbanne
11/15 – Winterthur, CH | Salzhaus
11/16 – Colmar, FR | Grillen
11/17 – Munich, DE | Backstage Halle
11/18 – Vienna, AT | Szene
11/19 – Budapest, HU | A38
11/20 – Prague, CZ | Rock Cafe
11/21 – Warsaw, PL | Proxima
11/22 – Berlin, DE | Musk & Freiden
