Norwegian progsters LEPROUS have commenced the recording sessions for their as-yet-untitled new studio album, to be released in early 2013 via InsideOut Music.

Commented LEPROUS singer/synth player Einar Solberg: "As many of you already know, we’ve started recording our new album. The drums are finished, and we’re now focusing on the guitars. Also this time we’re using Vegard 'Ihsahn' Tveitan and Heidi 'StarOfAsh' S. Tveitan as our producers/technicians. The drums were recorded in the really cool and old school Juke Joint Studio, and we’re really satisfied with the result.

"As far as the new music, we can only remind you that LEPROUS will never be the kind of band to re-create the mood from previous works, and it’s very important for us that each album has its own strong character. We have great belief in this album and we promise something fresh, challenging and soulful! This album will also be mixed and mastered by Mr. Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios."

Norwegian progressive metallers LEPROUS will release their new album, "Coal", on May 28 in North America (May 20 in Europe) via InsideOut Music. The cover artwork for the CD was created by acclaimed American artist Jeff Jordan, who produced the artwork for the band's last album, "Bilateral", in addition to working with THE MARS VOLTA.

Comments LEPROUS: "The artwork for this album was a hard nut to crack. We wanted something dark, melancholic but with a distinct character. We tried several solutions without finding the perfect supplement for the music, before we decided to contact Jeff Jordan once again. Jeff immediately had wonderful ideas that we decided to pursue. The artwork of 'Coal' is, in [our] opinion, the most iconic we've had so far."

LEPROUS has just finished filmed a video for the track "The Cloak" and, most suitably for the album's theme, the clip was shot in a mine.

Says the band: "We spent one very long day inside the Konnerud Hill Mines here in Norway, getting some very interesting footage. The video, just like the clip for 'Restless' on our previous album, was made by Twichty Films, but we promise you no fish or cake was harmed this time around. A dark, moist atmosphere, far into the deep..."

LEPROUS singer / synth-player Einar Solberg comments about the song as follows:
"We're delighted to finally be able to give you the first taste of our upcoming album "Coal"! "Coal" is a melancholic, soulful and very dynamic album. Where "Bilateral" was playful and "in-your face", "Coal" is subtle and floating. "Chronic" however, is of the more dynamic songs of the album. With a heavy basis, the song pinches a nerve Leprous has never before explored."

LEPROUS will perform at various prominent summer festivals (Wacken Open Air, Hellfest, Tuska, etc.) and headlining a European tour from September to November 2013 to promote "Coal".