DARK FUNERAL Guitarist: 'We Should Be Back At Full Force Before The Summer'

Guitarist Lord Ahriman of Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL has issued the following update:

"I/we understand that many of you impatiently are waiting for us to announce the new lineup, get back on tour, write and release a new album and so forth, and rightfully so! Personally, I wish we would have been back at full force long time ago, but for obvious reasons, we don't want to make any sudden decisions here, which I'm sure you all understand!

"Obviously, we could have chosen the quick and easy way, brought in some great and talented session musicians, and just kept on touring, but because we want to build a new, much stronger and sustainable lineup, that was an option was ruled out immediately.

"Anyway, I just wanted to give a quick sign of life and let you know that things are moving along just fine. And as long as things continue to go according to our master plan, we should be back at full force before the summer. However, I'd like to point out that we haven't made any final decisions or hired anyone yet, but it shouldn't take much too long until we do."

DARK FUNERAL last year parted ways with vocalist Magnus "Masse" Broberg (a.k.a. Emperor Magus Caligula),drummer Nils Fjellström and bassist B-Force.

DARK FUNERAL played its final show with Emperor Magus Caligula) on August 21, 2010 at the Summer Breeze festival in Dinkelsbühl, Germany. "Since this was a very special performance in many ways, we not only put on our biggest pyro show ever, we also captured this gig with 10 cameras (including one crane)," said Lord Ahriman. "So you can be sure to expect a DVD release from this killer show in the near future."

Broberg announced his departure from DARK FUNERAL in July 2010, explaining that "my life has taken a new turn lately, and I am also getting married this year, whereof my priorities in life lie somewhere else." Guitarist and founding member Lord Ahriman added, "I understand when people change course and get new priorities in life. And I fully respect that. Life moves on, after all, and so will DARK FUNERAL.

"Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus", the latest album from DARK FUNERAL, was released in North America on January 26, 2010 via Regain Records. The CD, which was made available in most European countries between November 18, 2009 and November 27, 2009, was recorded at Abyss Studio in Grangärde, Sweden with famed engineer and legendary producer Peter Tägtgren (PAIN, HYPOCRISY).

Fan-filmed video footage of DARK FUNERAL's final performance with Emperor Magus Caligula) can be viewed below.