Finnish power-metal favorites BEAST IN BLACK have officially added guitarist MARKUS VENEHSALO to their ranks as work continues on the band's fourth studio album.
The group was deep into recording when it found itself in need of a second guitarist to handle solos for the new record. As it happened, VENEHSALO reached out around the same time, sending a direct message with videos of his own original solo work. The material immediately impressed the band, which praised his rare balance of "speed, precision, melody, and expression" across both fast and slow passages — and his distinctly Eastern Finland sense of humor. He was tapped to record the lead solos and, after the band interviewed numerous candidates from Finland and abroad, ultimately offered the permanent position for showing what they call a "BEAST mentality."
"Being now part of the BEAST IN BLACK lineup feels like an almost impossible dream come true for me," VENEHSALO said, recalling how at age eight he plugged in a hand-me-down guitar, found the distortion channel and declared he would become "a rock 'n' roll guitarist." He makes his live debut with the band at a German festival on June 27.
The move follows a transitional stretch for the group. BEAST IN BLACK thanked DANIEL FREYBERG — formerly of CHILDREN OF BODOM and BODOM AFTER MIDNIGHT — for filling in on guitar during recent shows. Freyberg is now turning his full attention to his band CROWNSHIFT, which is at work on a new album. "Although our paths are now heading in different directions, the friendship remains strong," he said. Meanwhile, BEAST IN BLACK mastermind ANTON KABANEN sat out the band's recent North American tour supporting HELLOWEEN to finish the new LP.
Known for blending power metal with 1980s pop and electronic flourishes, BEAST IN BLACK have built a global following on albums "Berserker", "From Hell With Love" and "Dark Connection". The as-yet-untitled fourth album is expected to continue that signature sound.