Manic Street Preachers dates

Manic Street Preachers return this year with their ninth studio album, 'Journal For Plague Lovers' released on May 18th on Columbia Records. In addition the band announce several UK shows, including three nights at London's Roundhouse, where they will play Journal For Plague Lovers in its entirety followed by a second set featuring songs from their incredible catalogue.

The album follows the hugely successful and critically acclaimed 2007 release 'Send Away The Tigers', and the induction of the band into the NME's Hall Of Fame with their naming as the 'NME Godlike Genius' for 2008.

Produced by Steve Albini and recorded live at Rockfield Studios in Wales during the Winter of 2008, the album features lyrics left behind by former guitarist Richey Edwards across all 13 new tracks. An original piece of Jenny Saville's art is the cover of 'Journal for Plague Lovers', whose painting graced the cover of 1994's 'The Holy Bible'.

Nicky Wire said of the decision to use Richey's words after all this time, "The brilliance and intelligence of the lyrics dictated that we had to finally use them. The use of language is stunning and topics include Le Grande Odalisque by Ingres, Marlon Brando, Giant Haystacks, celebrity, consumerism and dysmorphia all reiterating the genius and intellect of Richard James Edwards".

Musically the band draw on their classic Holy Bible sound with elements of Nirvana's 'in Utero' as well as a delicate, beautiful acoustic side.

"The more I see the less I scream, the figure eight inside out is infinity."

Tracklisting for Journal For Plague Lovers:

'Peeled Apples'
'Jackie Collins Existential Question Time'
'Me And Stephen Hawking'
'This Joke Sport Severed'
'Journal For Plague Lovers'
'She Bathed Herself In A Bath Of Bleach'
'Facing Page: Top Left'
'Marlon J.D.'
'Doors Closing Slowly'
'All Is Vanity'
'Pretension/Repulsion'
'Virginia State Epileptic Colony'
'William's Last Words'

On Tour:

25 May GLASGOW, Barrowlands 08444 999 990
26 May LLANDUDNO, Venue Cymru Arena 0871 2200 260 / 01492 872 000
28/29/30 May LONDON, Roundhouse 0871 2200 260 / 0844 482 8008
1 June WOLVERHAMPTION, Civic Hall 0871 2200 260 / 0870 320 7000
2 June BRIGHTON, Dome 0871 2200 260 / 01273 709 709
4 June DUBLIN, Olympia 00353 818 719 300
6 June BELFAST, Ulster Hall 0870 243 4455

Tickets go on sale 27th March at 9.30am priced £25 except London £26.50 and Dublin €40/€45.