Lostprophets liberate new sound on "transmission"

The third album from Welsh act Lostprophets, titled Liberation Transmission, comes out on Tuesday, June 27th, and finds the former rap-metal act taking a turn in a more pop-rock direction. Lead singer Ian Watkins told us that the new wrinkle in the band's sound has really been there all along: "We always had elements of this on our first record. It's not that different. It's, like, basically, just one element has come more to the forefront and one element has pushed more towards the back. When we first started, it was more angsty, more riffy, more thrashy, but with hints of pop, you know. And as we've gone along, the metal has gone towards the back and the pop sensibilities have come forward a lot."

The first single from Liberation Transmission is "Rooftops (A Liberation Broadcast)."

Lostprophets recorded Liberation Transmission with producer Bob Rock, best known for his work with Motley Crue and Metallica.

The new CD follows up the band's 2004 sophomore effort, Start Something, which was certified gold for sales of more than 500,000 copies.

Lostprophets will tour the UK in July but has yet to announce North American plans.