A HEAVY metal group have been sabotaged in their efforts to release a second album after thieves stole their drum set from a recording studio.

The kit, which was worth around £2,000 and belongs to Black Sabbath-inspired group Long Time Dead, was taken from an industrial unit used as a studio called The Murder Rooms, off Bycars Road in Burslem.

Intruders smashed their way through a fence between 2pm on Sunday and 7.30pm on Monday. They are believed to have used an iron bar to force the locks off the door before stealing the Mapex Saturn Series drum set.

Formed in 1997, Long Time Dead members are regular performers in The Rigger in Newcastle and The Sugarmill in Hanley and tour Germany and Holland every year.

The band released their first album Universal Cry for Help in 2004 on the Psychophonic Records label which was distributed across Europe via HMV, Virgin, Amazon, MVC, and other major and independent record stores.

Drummer Rob Broad, aged 32, of Ridgway Road, Hanley, said: "That drum kit was part of my life. It is something I have always been able to rely on. It had become part of my soul. It was a professional kit and when I played it, I felt like I was moving in the right direction musically.

"I have been playing the drums for 20 years and it is by far the best drum set I have ever known."

Mr Broad, bass player Will Harris, vocalist, rhythm guitarist Matt Owen and lead guitarist Paul Priestley bought the drum set a year ago and mistakenly thought it was insured.

Mr Harris, aged 28, of Brook Street, Biddulph, said the band are hoping to release a second album in the near future, but are worried about the consequences of the missing drum kit.

Mr Harris, a stock controller, urged musicians to be on the look out for anyone trying to sell the drums, and for anyone with information to come forward.

He said: "There was another drum set in the studio in a bag, but the thieves took that out and replaced it with ours and took the drum set away in the bag.

"They obviously had some musical knowledge.

"The drum set was made by one of the top manufacturers to show off its skills. We managed to get it for a special price, because it was a demo kit.

"We're devastated. It was a crucial part of our sound.

"I'd advise any musicians who are storing their equipment in a studio to make sure they have their own insurance, as you're not covered otherwise."

"If anyone could help us we would be extremely grateful."

A Staffordshire Police spokesman confirmed officers were investigating the incident.

She said: "We received a call just after 8.40pm on Monday concerning the theft of a drum kit. Someone broke into the premises between 2pm on Sunday and 7.30pm on Monday. They got in through the perimeter fence and appear to have used an iron bar to force the locks on the door."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact PC Matthew Faulkner on 0300 1234455 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.