AceShowbiz - Rock band Kings of Leon is placing its music career in new hands, after quitting record label Columbia and signing a new deal with rivals Warner Brothers. As a condition of the new contract, the band will contribute half of its recording costs, in return for a greater control of spending, and a bigger share of the profits.

A source tells British newspaper The Sun, "Kings of Leon are one of the few bands on the planet who have enough heft to negotiate such a favorable deal. It is virtually unheard of but it shows how keen Warner Brothers were (sic) to have them on their books."

Recently, Kings of Leon denied the rumors that they would line up an odd duet with British pop singer Leona Lewis. Reports suggested that they had persuaded the singer to join to go to the studio since they were her "huge fans".