Vocalist Joey Tempest (pictured below) of Swedish hard rockers EUROPE has issued the following update:

"Thought I'd write you a little note about whats going on in the EUROPE camp at the moment.

"We are having little break after the amazing 'Bag Of Bones' adventures last year. We are, however, working on ideas and new items to celebrate our 30th anniversary, together with you guys. So please keep visiting this site. All shall be revealed soon.

"I'm currently spending some time in London with my family and at the same time upgrading my studio. I've got some ideas I'm dying to try out for our next album. The rest of the guys are in Stockholm. [John] Norum [guitar] is preparing for his tour with his little sister Tone. I think it's a great idea! As long as I have known them both, they have been so involved and passionate about music. I don't believe they have ever performed together like this, so it's really exclusive! Meeting them both when I was around 14 years old, I immediately wanted to start a band with John.

"I know [John] Levén [bass] has got some great new song ideas lined up. Mic [Michaeli, keyboards] always writes and I hope he's got something as cool as the riff for 'Firebox' for me to sink my teeth into. He is such a musical guy! And will this be the album when Mr. Haugland [drummer Ian Haugland] contributes even more as a writer? That would be so cool! Always when we're in pre-production or in the studio he's got the greatest ideas for arrangements and so forth. The guy is like dynamite!

"We're all looking forward to getting back on the road in May, when we also will be rehearsing for the mega Sweden Rock Festival! Two-and-a-half-hour-long show with exclusive guests! Songs from all of our albums, with a few we haven't played in ages! This will truly be a special night! On the road this year we'll also be teaming up with our friends in WHITESNAKE, DEF LEPPARD, JOURNEY and many others. We're also interested in checking out BLACK STAR RIDERS this summer; they will be on the same bill as us on a couple of festivals.

"Download and Hellfest this year! How cool is that?! Mind you, we'd better be 'camping' a few days before the gig at Download this year, so we don't miss it : ) Back to Spain as well... we missed you guys on the 'Bag Of Bones' tour last year!

"We'll be touring festivals all of 2013 and the winter will be spent writing music and doing sessions together to find the 'vibe' for the next record. We'll be going into the studio again beginning of 2014 to record EUROPE No. 10. Hey! It's a big deal for us! Ten albums. WOW!

"Just want to take this opportunity to thank you all for you incredible support over the years. You have really helped us build this band up again. These days we are yet again a force to be reckoned with! I've always said: You guys keep us in the best job in the world!"

EUROPE's latest album, "Bag Of Bones", was released in Europe on April 27, 2012 via earMusic/Edel. The CD, which features a guest appearance by blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION), was produced by Kevin Shirley, who has previously worked with IRON MAIDEN, JOE BONAMASSA, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, BLACK STONE CHERRY and JOURNEY, among others.