Winter Moods launched their fifth album at a press conference held at Hard Rock Bar, at the Valletta Waterfront. The new album, Argento, celebrates 25 years of Winter Moods, who have been active in the local music scene since 1985. Argento goes on sale from local record shops on Friday 21st May.

2010 is a busy year for Winter Moods. Earlier this week the band launched a mega summer concert which will take place on the 28th of July at The Granaries in Floriana, organised by NnG promotions.

Argento was recorded during the past six months with producer David Vella at Temple Studios in Mistra where band members lived and composed new music during long days and even longer nights. The time spent together brought the ‘brothers’ even closer together, where their closeness translated also into new music. The album was mixed by Luuk Cox.

Argento is a re-invention of Winter Moods – up to date with the latest evolvments in the current music scene, yet true to the band’s rock roots. The new album is sure to appeal to Winter Moods’ die-hard fans with melodious tracks such as My Neverland, That’s Where I’d Rather Be and Miss You, but it will also entice a new audience with songs such as Fall Into My Arms and Sun Won’t Shine.

For the first time, Winter Moods’ album was mastered at Metropolis Studios in London by industry professional John Davis. In recent years Mr Davis also worked with Snow Patrol, Stereophonics, White Lies, Florence And The Machine, U2, Sade and more.

Strings on all songs were arranged by Michel Bisceglia, who also conducted the orchestra at Studio Crescendo in Genk, Belgium.

Speaking at the press conference, Winter Moods frontman Ivan Grech said, “We are delighted to launch Argento, we are very proud of this album. It’s a work of love, passion and dedication, and that’s why we’ve been doing music for the past 25 years.”

“This album re-invents Winter Moods, musically and visually. We’ve had the opportunity to work with top professionals in the music industry,” continued Ivan. “We’ve been following our dreams since we were kids, and we are blessed to have such loving and devoted fans who have been with us all these years, and whose energy and support keeps pushing us forward and onwards to out-prove ourselves each time.”

The album kicked off with rave reviews for Winter Moods’ first two singles from Argento. Last To Know was released in February and reached the top of local charts, whilst My Neverland which was premiered at the Ronan Keating concert is already been termed as a ballad to rival Winter Moods’ own masterpiece Marigold.

The design, art direction and photography of Argento was entrusted to Mike Ross. Mr Ross comes from a background in the UK and US music and entertainment industries, where he worked at the top of his field during the golden age of record sleeve design. Some of his past clients during his award-winning career include Elton John, Diana Ross, The Beach Boys, Neil Diamond, The Police, Sting, Chris De Burgh, Paul McCartney, Chris Rea, and Bob Geldof. Mr Ross was assisted by Daniel Spagnol.

Argento is dedicated to the memory of Angelo Fenech, father of drummer Karl Fenech and Doris Rizzo, mother of bassist Joseph Rizzo, who both passed away recently, whilst Winter Moods were recording the new album.

Winter Moods are supported by Vodafone Malta Limited, Malta International Airport, Hamilton Travel, KIA Motors and Pulse Fitness Studio.