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Darkness Reveal Release Date For Second Album

added 23 November 2004 at 16.30

While the band have admitted in the past that their mammoth touring schedule has left them little time for songwriting, The Darkness have revealed they plan to release their new album as soon as possible but, “Just want to make sure it's 10 times better than the last one.”

The band have been working on the follow-up to their debut album ‘Permission To Land’ on and off in between a hectic world-wide touring schedule and have admitted it hasn't been easy.

“We've been at it solidly for the last couple of weeks and it has had its ups and downs,” guitarist Dan Hawkins told the Daily Record. “Because we've been touring for so long, we're getting used to being creative again."

The guitarist also revealed that the band want to get the album in the shops by mid-2005 saying, "We've written enough stuff for an album, but we just want to make sure it's ten times better than the last one... The new album will be out early next summer.”

“A lot of people don't realise the first album was paid for by ourselves,” his brother and Darkness frontman Justin added “It's quite a low budget affair and it doesn't sound as big as we'd like. So with the new one, we are hopefully going to achieve the sound we have always wanted.”

Bass player Frankie Poullain also revealed a surprising list of influences for the album, not to mention an unexpected love for one of history's more underrated bands.

“The themes of the track are medieval and sort of voodoo,” Poullain explained, “We've been influenced by Abba again and Fleetwood Mac. there's a pastoral kind of vibe.”

“Wet Wet Wet’s ‘Popped In Souled Out’ was one of my favourite albums when I was a kid,” Dan continued. “It's nice to hear them again now they've re-formed. ‘Sweet Little Mystery’ is still one of my favourite videos ever. Hopefully, the Wets are putting their heart and soul into it.”

The Darkness are currently in the midst of their Christmas stadium tour. The rest of the tour calls at:

• Sheffield Hallam FM Arena (December 4)
• Cardiff International Arena (6)
• Birmingham NEC Arena (7, 8)
• London Wembley Arena (10, 11 & 12) 

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Jon Ford

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