Swedish rock legends EUROPE will release their 10th album, War of Kings, in March 2015 on UDR Records. Recorded at the brand new PanGaia Studios in Stockholm, Sweden, produced by Dave Cobb (Rival Sons) and engineered by John Netti, War of Kings sees the classic rocking quintet confidently creating 11 monsterously melodic, yet hard-hitting, classic rock’n’roll standouts for their fervent global audience. War of Kings will be available in multiple formats, as a CD digipak, a CD jewel case, a vinyl LP and in digital download format. The album will be released in the UK on March 2nd, Japan on March 4th (via JVC), the EU on March 6th and the US on March 10th.

Joey Tempest: “War Of Kings is the album we always wanted to make, ever since we were kids listening to bands like Zeppelin, Purple and Sabbath. And after hearing Dave Cobb amazing production for Rival Sons we simply had to work with him. Our adventure is still ON!”

Europe’s place as a legendary classic rock band was platinum-stamped early in their career, having enjoyed an explosive period of worldwide success in the ‘80s, under-pinned by their hit album and single The Final Countdown, before going on hiatus between 1992 and 2003. They re-united and quickly settled into a period of re-establishment which has seen them re-enforce their reputation worldwide as one of the premier purveyors of blues-tinged classic rock with an edge and some kick. Their last album, 2012’s Bag of Bones, saw Europe hit the UK top 40 rock album charts and debut at #2 on the Swedish national charts, and War of Kings is set to take full advantage of the global groundwork Europe have put in over the last few years.

Joey adds “Hey! We took the long road! but we wanted to re-establish Europe the proper way. It’s taken 10 years and countless tours since the re-union, but we’re finally getting there! And we’ve done it our way!”

Europe will commence their roadwork supporting War of Kings with a UK/Ireland tour in Dublin on March 2nd (their first visit to Ireland in 25 years) before continuing in the UK with Black Star Riders. Joey – “Looking forward to ‘tons’ of touring in 2015! It’s getting harder and harder to be modest and humble about this band! It doesn’t get much better than this!”

Europe are:

Joey Tempest – lead vocals, acoustic & rhythm guitar, keyboards
John Norum – lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals
John Leven – bass, backing vocals
Mic Michaeli – keyboards, piano, backing vocals, rhythm guitar
Ian Haugland – drums, percussion, backing vocals

War of Kings tracklisting is as follows:

1. War Of Kings
2. Hole In My Pocket
3. Second Day
4. Praise You
5. Nothin’ To Ya
6. California 405
7. Days Of Rock n Roll
8. Children Of The Mind
9. Rainbow Bridge
10. Angels (With Broken Hearts)
11. Light It Up
12. Bonus: Vasastan (Instrumental)

Europe/Black Star Riders UK/Ireland Tour dates are as follows –
02/03/2015      Dublin – Olympia Theatre
03/03/2015      Belfast – Ulster Hall
05/03/2015    Glasgow – O2 ABC
06/03/2015    Glasgow – O2 ABC
07/03/2015    Newcastle-Upon-Tyne – O2 Academy
08/03/2015    Leeds – O2 Academy
10/03/2015    Nottingham – Rock City
11/03/2015    Cambridge – Corn Exchange
13/03/2015    Manchester – Academy
14/03/2015    Wolverhampton – Civic Hall
15/03/2015    Exeter – University
16/03/2015    Bristol – O2 Academy
18/03/2015    Bournemouth – O2 Academy
19/03/2015    Norwich – UEA
20/03/2015    London – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
21/03/2015    London – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

For information on Europe, please go to www.facebook.com/europetheband