NIGHTWISH are writing material for a new studio release

NIGHTWISH are in "the deepest countryside of Finland" working on material for their new studio album, which they will begin to record on October 15 for a late 2011 release.

Commented keyboardist/mainman Tuomas Holopainen: "The first week is almost through and we're off to a fantastic start. Jukka [Nevalainen, drums], Emppu [Vuorine, guitar] and me have five songs rehearsed so far. Marco [Hietala, bass/vocals] joined the camp last night after a couple of festival shows he did with TAROT.

"We'll start putting the low ends into those songs later today and maybe try out tune #6.

"The first song put together ended up having one of the best choruses we've ever had and a classic NIGHTWISH-y c-part of heavy guitars, a massive string riff and everything louder than anything and everybody playing with full force at the same time.

"Trademark stuff.

"Song # 2 is a twisted marriage of VAN HALEN, PANTERA and madhouse vocals. And Quentin Tarantino guitars in the bridge.

"We weren't overly bananas over this one after the demo I made alone, but now it's finally coming alive.

"In between the distorted racket, we sat down with Emppu to complete one acoustic piece. A nice journey back to the roots! Sounds like a Moomin Valley Christmas carol.

"Then another song back to the roots. Everyone's surprise favorite at the moment. I dug up my inner PARADISE LOST / MY DYING BRIDE fanboy and this funeral march is the result.

"Music for the last song rehearsed so far is written by Marco. A wonderfully catchy track with the chorus repeated five times(!!). Must be some sort of a record for us. Nice acoustic themes and a d-part which doesn't quite still fit in.

"We'll enter The Haunted Mansion tomorrow."