Eluveitie Announce Six New Members to Complete Lineup

Move over Slipknot, Eluveitie are the latest band to feature a staggering nine members! The Switzerland-based celtic folk metal outfit lost three members in a mass exit last year, but have regrouped, adding six new musicians to their ranks as they prepare for a busy 2016 with work on a new record.

The band had been celebratory around the turn of the year, revealing each new member one night at a time until the full lineup had come to light. Replacing Anna Murphy on the hurdy-gurdy is Michaline Malisz while guitarist Jonas Wolf will be performing in place of Ivo Henzi and drummer Alain Ackermann will be manning the sticks after Merlin Sutter also left the group.

With those vacant slots filled, Eluveitie also added Fabienne Erni (vocals, celtic harp, mandola), Matteo Sisti (whistles, bagpipes, mandola) and Nicole Ansperger (fiddle). These six new members will be playing alongside already established members Chrigel Glanzmann (vocals, whistles, mandola, bagpipes, bodhran), Kay Brem (bass) and guitarist Rfael Salzmann.

This newest incarnation of the group will make their live debut at the Eluveitie and Friends Festival, which will begin tomorrow (Jan. 6) and continue through Jan. 7.

"Above all we're super happy and thankful that we're complete again (even more than complete, actually) and given the chance to have such gifted musicians on board," exclaimed Eluiveitie (via Blabbermouth). "What could be a better start into a new year? 2017 is our year," they continued, revealing plans for the rest of the year stating, "We cannot wait to enter the studios soon and finish Evocation II. And right afterwards we'll be back with full force to rock the summer festival stages."

Evocation II will serve as the sequel to the folk metallers' 2009 effort, Evocation I - The Arcane Dominion. While Eluveitie are looking forward, so are there former members who regrouped under the moniker Cellar Darlings, releasing two new songs last year.

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