Europe Set Sights on Tenth Album
Europe are aiming to record their tenth studio album next year – although frontman Joey Tempest isn’t sure it’ll be released during 2014.
And there’s at least the slight possibility that former members Kee Marcello and Tony Reno could play some role in proceedings.
Europe have been gradually turning their attention onto pre-production as they celebrated their 30th anniversary this year. Tempest tells Uber Rock: “We’re talking about it all the time now and we want to record next year. Whether we manage to get it out next year, we’ll have to wait and see.
“But we’re definitely writing and recording it next year, and it’s a big moment for us. It’s a milestone: it will mean we’ll have done as many studio albums second time around as the first time around.”
Europe were formed in 1979 and released their self-titled debut album four years later. Co-founding drummer Reno left in 1984 and Marcello replaced guitarist John Norum in 1987.
The band went their separate ways in 1992 and after a one-off gathering in 1999 – which featured both Marcello and Norum – they officially got back together in 2003. Since then the lineup has consisted of Tempest, Norum, John Leven, Mic Michaeli and Ian Haugland.
Tempest says the band enjoy mixing and matching newer material with their classics. “There’s an emotional side attached to playing stuff like Paradize Bay, In The Future To Come, Prisoners In Paradise and all this stuff,” he reflects. “You look around and see your mates thirty years on from when we recorded them – it’s amazing.
“But at the same time there’s a special element to the new songs. Last Look At Eden, for instance, is our favourite song to play right now. It has a new value to it. The old ones have a nostalgic, emotional value but it is more fun to play new songs.”
Europe recently gathered with Marcello and Reno to create a series of custom guitars which are being auctioned to help victims of the Philippines typhoon. Tempest regrets the reunion wasn’t arranged in time for their 30th anniversary show at Sweden Rocks during the summer.
“It didn’t happen because of schedules and everything,” the frontman says. “But it’s really special that we can do this project together – and who knows where it may lead?”