Gelap Pekat

Austrian melodic metallers ECLIPTICA have announced the addition of new female singers Sandra Urbanek (newcomer from Vienna) and Maria Melendez (straight from Mexico City) to the group's ranks. The band has also been rejoined by bassist Alexander Basstard, a founding member of ECLIPTICA who played on 2007's "The Awakening" EP.

ECLIPTICA 2009 is as follows:

Alen Duricic - Guitar
Maria Melendez - Vocals
Alexander Basstard - Bass, Grawls
Thomas Tieber - Vocals
Roman Klomfar - Drums
Sandra Urbanek - Vocals
Markus Winkler Guitar

The new ECLIPTICA lineup will make its live debut on June 5 at the "A Night Of Power" festival at Szene Wien in Vienna, Austria.

ECLIPTICA's debut album, "Impetus", was released last December via Frontiers Records.

ECLIPTICA was founded by guitarist Markus Winkler in 2005. The group soon started to write songs and in April 2007 released its critically acclaimed first EP, "The Awakening". The group won the "Metal Battle Austria 2007" contest and played a live set at the world-famous Wacken Open Air festival in Germany.

In January 2008 the band entered the Hinterhof Studios in Vienna to record its first full-length album, "Impetus". According to a press release, "the word 'impetus' stands for power, speed and energy, just like the sound of these 10 songs delivered on the album. Straight through without orchestral arrangements ECLIPTICA reduced their songs to a rough and powerful but still melodic feel. The music of ECLIPTICA is defined in their musical roots: blending the traditional heavy metal of the '80s together with intricate rhythms and progressive elements from all decades. The songwriting however is very personal and original, thus making them instantly recognizable thanks to the use of two vocalists and to the classical music elements that are incorporated in their songs. Theatrical elements and an eclectic songwriting complete the picture of a very gifted band that is now ready to be unleashed."

Check out audio samples at this location.