Finnish death / doom dealers HOODED MENACE recently announced their signing to Relapse Records and have now completed work on their first album for the label. The highly anticipated 'Effigies of Evil' was recorded at the band's own Horrisound Studios and is planned for a Summer 2012 release.

Additionally, the band has added guitarist Teemu Hannonen to the fold for their live shows, giving HOODED MENACE an even heavier sound than before. Current guitarist Lasse Pyykko comments:

"We're excited and proud to announce that Teemu Hannonen (formerly Phlegethon) joins Hooded Menace as a 2nd guitarist! Finally our live sound will be richer and heavier as it should be! Also it´s very cool to have an old band mate of mine in Hooded Menace!"

Hannonen will make his live debut with the band at the following European shows.

HOODED MENACE: Live In Europe

5/11 - Oulu, Finland @ Nuclear Nightclub (w/ Coffins)
5/12 - Helsinki, Finland @ Club PRKL (w/ Coffins)
5/17 - Gollnitz, Thuringen, Germany @ Deathkult Open Air
8/30 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ Kill-Town Death Fest

'Effigies of Evil' features cover artwork from the iconic David V. D'Andrea (Sleep, Agalloch, Ulver) and is destined to be one of the most haunting and destructive albums of the year. More will be revealed soon…

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http://www.relapse.com

Finnish death / doom bringers HOODED MENACE have entered the studio to record their highly anticipated new album and first for Relapse Records. The new record, entitled Effigies of Evil, is being self-recorded by the band at their very own Horrisound Studios, the group’s personal compound of stench and decay. Drums are being tracked at SF Sound and the band plans to complete recording in mid February for a Summer 2012 release.

HOODED MENACE, who takes influence from 80’s era CANDLEMASS, CATHEDRAL, PARADISE LOST, ASPHYX, and BLACK SABBATH, has previously release two full length albums as well as split releases with COFFINS, ASPHYX, ILSA, and more.

HOODED MENACE guitarist Lasse Pyykko commented on the new recordings:

"This album is the catchiest stuff we’ve done so far. On average it’s slightly faster (read: more mid-tempos) and a bit more melodic than the previous records but as always there’s still an unhealthy dose of down-tempo horror hammering. It’s crushingly heavy, dark and graceful music in all its gory glory!"

Stay tuned to www.RELAPSE.com and the official HOODED MENACE Facebook and MySpace for the latest HOODED MENACE news / tour / album release information.

HOODED MENACE Tour Dates:

May 17 Gollnitz, Germany Deathkult Open Air