Europe Confirm New Album For 2012

The band will release the follow up to 2009's Last Look At Eden in April and it will feature Kevin Shirley at the helm.

Shirley is a producer in demand, having recently taken the controls for Journey, Iron Maiden, Mr Big, Black Country Communion's two albums, Black Stone Cherry and many more.

"We still feel we have one hell of a rock record to make" says Europe's singer Joey Tempest. "Kevin’s the man for the job. We love his work with Bonamassa, Black Country Communion, and Black Stone Cherry. He's the real deal. We're ready to do some serious damage."

Last week Europe met up with Shirley in Stockholm to discuss the direction of the next album. Based on reactions from the fans and media, Europe's 2009 album Last Look at Eden proved to be the band's most important record since The Final Countdown.

"I’ve been a big fan of Europe's work for years," says Shirley. "The band is influential and highly underrated. I can't wait to make the upcoming album their most explosive to date."

"We've toured for one and a half years" adds Tempest. "It’s time to write and record some new songs and get back on the road again in 2012."

The new material suggests a more straight forward rock approach evident in Doghouse; a new song Europe performed on their recent UK tour. The song is also featured on Europe’s upcoming Europe: Live at Shepherd’s Bush DVD, released in August on earMUSIC CDs and DVDs.