Gorillaz

�Every great band is destroyed by their success� Cartoon bands are no exception.�

So says Gorillaz guitarist Noodle, who, by the account of bandmates 2D, Murdoc and Russel Hobbs, took the helm for Demon Days, the follow-up to their six-million-worldwide-selling debut, due for U.S. release on May 24. �Noodle wrote most of this album herself,� says Russel. �Murdoc may try and take the credit for it, but from the basic sketches to the finished album, this was Noodle�s vision.�

Co-produced by Gorillaz/Albarn and Grey Album mastermind/WIRED magazine rave award honoree Danger Mouse and recorded at the band�s own Kong Studios, Demon Days is a darker and more intense affair than 2001�s Gorillaz. Noodle explains: �The soul of the recording can�t avoid being a manifestation of the time, climate and location of the place we were in when it was recorded. Consequently the colours are rich, dark and heavy while the rhythms are clean, strategic and relentless. It has a consciousness to it.�

�Like someone has taken the first album and coloured it in,� adds 2D.The band is currently shooting a video for first single �Feel Good Inc.� which features the song�s guests De La Soul performing alongside Gorillaz. A white label 12� of the track �Dirty Harry� has also been making the rounds, though it is �Feel Good Inc.� that will be Demon Days� first official single, as decided by group vote. �Although, as is traditional, every one of my votes counts for double of 2D�s,� adds Murdoc.

Further information may or may not be provided as/if it becomes available. For the present, visiting Kong Studios at Gorillaz.com may provide clues� or not.