Nocturnal Rites Announce North American Debut, Release New Album

Sweden's NOCTURNAL RITES, who today released Grand Illusion, have announced their co-headlining North American debut at Chicago's PowerFest 2006 Saturday, April 8th, complete information here. Speaking on behalf of the band, bassist Nils Erikksson said, "We are truly psyched about finally getting ourselves over to the U.S.; it has been talked about for way too long without happening. So making our debut co-headlining the Chicago PowerFest 2006 alongside our Swedish buds Morgana Lefay will be nothing but a blast and quite positively a huge party."

Blending melodic metal and powerful hard rock, with a deadly progressive thread, Sweden's NOCTURNAL RITES are driven by thundering double-bass drums, authoritative vocal lines, gracefully fluid rhythm and awe inspiring duel lead guitar grandeur.

More information on the band, MP3s, and videos can be found here. "Grand Illusion" was recorded at Toontrack Studio in the band's hometown, Umeå, Sweden. Joining the band on this extraordinary album are some of metal's most prominent artists, including guitarist Stefan Elmgren (Hammerfall), keyboardist Jens Johansson (Stratovarius), guitarist Henrick Danhage (Evergrey), and vocalist Kristoffer W. Olivius (Naglfar). Swedish world champion cross-country skier Per Elofsson (three-time World Cup gold) also appears, displaying his whammy bar action on "Never Trust." Grand Illusion's cover art was provided by Axel Hermann (Dream Evil, In Flames). The finished domestic version of Grand Illusion will contain bonus CD-ROM enhancements with the "Fools Never Die" video, directed by drummer Owe Lingvall, and footage from the video and album's making.