Finnish dark metal masters BEFORE THE DAWN have inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The band's sixth album, "Deathstar Rising", is scheduled for release on February 25, 2011. The CD's cover artwork can be viewed below.

Founded in 1999 and led by Tuomas Saukkonen, BEFORE THE DAWN has "managed to pave their way to uniqueness by combining the heaviness of melodic death metal, the gloom of dark metal and the frostbitten cold of finnish winters with beautiful melodies and epic hymnody like no other band out there," according to a press release.

Commented Saukkonen: "After 10 years and five albums, the very best that could have happened to BEFORE THE DAWN was to get under the wings of one of the most powerful metal machineries ever.

"The new alliance between Nuclear Blast and BEFORE THE DAWN is an fine example of determination, devotion, motivation and a true northern 'through the thickest stone wall' attitude."

BEFORE THE DAWN's "End Of Days" video can be viewed below. The footage in the clip was shot during the band's mini-tour of Asia, which the group called "the coolest trip ever."

"End Of Days" is taken from BEFORE THE DAWN's 10th-anniversary EP, "Decade Of Darkness", which was released in Finland and the rest of Scandinavia via Stay Heavy Records on March 31, 2010. The rest of Europe received the effort in September via Cyclone Empire in a special package that included a bonus DVD, "Live At Summer Breeze 2009".

BEFORE THE DAWN's fifth album, "Soundscape of Silence", was released in Scandinavia in October 2008 via Stay Heavy Records.

BEFORE THE DAWN is:

Tuomas Saukkonen (BLACK SUN AEON) - Vocals, Guitar
Lars Eikind (WINDS, JACK IN THE BOX) - Vocals, Bass
Juho R�ih� (GLORIA MORTI, RIVERSIDE SYNDICATE) - Guitar
Atte Palokangas - Drums



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