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Music Out Now

Gorillaz - Demon Days

Conceived as the first virtual hip-hop group, Gorillaz blends the musical talents of "Every great band is destroyed by their success: cartoon bands are no exception."

So says Gorillaz guitarist Noodle, who took the helm for new album Demon Days, the follow-up to the band's multi-million selling debut Gorillaz. "Noodle wrote most of this album herself," says drummer Russel Hobbs. "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/Damon Albarn and the Grey Album mastermind Danger Mouse, Demon Days was recorded at the band's own Kong Studios. The album is a darker and more intense affair than 2001's Gorillaz, explains Noodle: "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 singer 2D.

Gorillaz reputation for excellence and enthusiasm has secured them a stellar guest list. Featured on the album are contributions from De La Soul, Neneh Cherry, Martina Topley-Bird, Roots Manuva, MF Doom, Ike Turner, Bootie Brown of the Pharcyde, Shaun Ryder, Dennis Hopper, the London Community Gospel Choir and the San Fernandez Youth Chorus.