Level Plane has announced the signing of New York City-based "doom" act Bloody Panda. The label provided an extensive description for the act:

Driven by the mournful, melodic vocals of Japanese frontwoman Yoshiko Ohara, Bloody Panda's transcendent sound finds its roots in the dirge-like power of Swans, the amplifier-worshipping textures of Earth, and the ethereal tension of Skepticism, as well as in various traditional styles from around the globe. The band synthesizes its esoteric influences into focused, powerful, anthemic songs, hailed by Decibel Magazine as "Khanate-caliber doom metal" and by CMJ New Music Monthly as "New York microtonal funeral doom".

Bloody Panda's full-length debut will be released on Level Plane in April 2007. The album was recorded by Jason Marcucci (Flaming Lips, White Stripes) and mastered by Sarah Register (Lou Reed, Calla).

You can check out some music here.