Welsh rockers THE BLACKOUT announce the release of their fourth studio album Start The Party

Out through Cooking Vinyl via Shock January 25, 2013

Touring with Soundwave Festival 2013

“They sucked us in … and strung us along with infectious riffs and Sean Smith’s killer pop-punk-infused vocals" – BLUNT

“This Welsh six piece produce absolute gold” – Inpress

Start The Party is the latest creative splatter from Merthyr Tydfil's brightest stars THE BLACKOUT, out through Cooking Vinyl via Shock, January 25, 2013. Start The Party features 11 new tracks of non-stop, high-energy, full-monty, balls-to-wall rock anthems, with the explosion of energy and unbridled enjoyment we've all been seeking.

Originally formed in South Wales in 2003, THE BLACKOUT have gone on to shift over 60,000 copies of their first three full-length albums worldwide, sold-out UK tours, including not one - but two - stints on the prestigious UK Kerrang! Tour, and have shared stage space with everyone from My Chemical Romance to Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, All Time Low and Lostprophets.

Start The Party was recorded at The Distillery Studios in the UK, with former-A vocalist and long-time collaborator Jason Perry behind the desk. Start The Party sees Sean, Gavin, Matthew, Bob, Rhys and Snoz embracing everything that they - and their fans - love the most.

"Music can be a great form of escapism and we tried to fully encapsulate that with this record," says vocalist Gavin Butler. "…We wanted to write about enjoying yourself and not worrying about things. Take a half hour out of your life, switch off and hear something fun!"

Their followers - including their dedicated fan club the Riot Squad - have grown year on year, seeing THE BLACKOUT's online presence now reaching out to well over 100,000 people and racking up over one million video plays. Their last album - 2011's Hope (charting at 27 in the UK) - received national airplay, and saw the band tour Australia for the first time as part of 2011's Soundwave Festival.

With wailing guitar solos, foot-stomping breakdowns, gang vocals and more hooks than a curtain factory, Start The Party is an album of pure driving pop-rock heaven. These songs will further cement THE BLACKOUT's position as one of the most entertaining and enigmatic live bands to date.

"This album captures our real personality," says Sean. "That laryiness, the yobbish, laddish, loud, shouting happy gang that's all about doing what we want and having a good time. We're like the Beastie Boys meets Andrew W.K. meets Dirty Sanchez."

Adding to their explosive live performances, their party-hard attitude, perpetual witty banter and award-winning good looks (we made that last bit up), Start The Party proves - as a bold and non-nonsense fact - that THE BLACKOUT are still the best in town!

Witness THE BLACKOUT's explosive live performances at Soundwave Festival 2013

23rd February – RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane SOLD OUT

24th February – Olympic Park, Sydney SOLD OUT

1st March – Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne SOLD OUT

2nd March – Bonython Park, Adelaide SOLD OUT

4th March – Claremont Showgrounds, Perth SOLD OUT