MORE 2011 SICKNESS (PART 5)

What the hell is that big yellow thing up in the sky? It looks vaguely familiar, but it’s appeared so rarely here in The Emerald City over the last six months that we’re having trouble placing the name. Well, maybe the name will come to us. The great wheel of the seasons surely must continue to turn someplace, but in Seattle it seems to have been stuck on Winter since, like, forever. In some parts of the world, April showers bring May flowers, but here, April showers will probably bring . . . May showers.

Okay, enough whining. At least we don’t get tornados dropping from the sky like atom bombs and wiping whole towns off the map. And even though the weather hasn’t been our friend, we have metal to make up for the cold shoulder — and there’s a bunch of new metal headed our way.

What we do with these installments of METAL IN THE FORGE is collect news blurbs and press releases we’ve seen over the last month about forthcoming new albums from bands we know and like (including updates about releases we’ve included in previous installments of this series), or from bands that look interesting, even though we don’t know them yet. And in this post, we cut and paste the announcements and compile them in alphabetical order.

This isn’t a cumulative list, so be sure to check the Category link called “Forthcoming Albums” on the right side of this page to see forecasted releases we reported in previous installments. This month’s list begins right after the jump. Look for your favorite bands, or get intrigued about some new ones.

AMORPHIS: “‘You I Need‘, the new single from Finnish metallers AMORPHIS, is available for streaming at this location. The song, which will be released digitally in Finland on April 20 and in other countries on April 22, comes off the band’s new album, The Beginning Of Times, due on May 27 via Nuclear Blast Records.”

AUGUST BURNS RED: “Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based Christian metalcore quintet AUGUST BURNS RED has set Leveler as the title of its fourth album, due on June 21 via the band’s longtime label Solid State Records. For Leveler, AUGUST BURNS RED re-teamed with super producer Jason Suecof, the man behind the board on the band’s previous CD, 2009’s Constellations. The result is an album that pushes the band’s sonic boundaries in every direction, and yet is unquestionably heavier than its predecessor.”

BEHEMOTH: “The masters of Polish blackened death metal BEHEMOTH have set Abyssus Abyssum Invocat as the title to the band’s expanded repackaging of their early 2000’s EPs “Conjuration” and “Slaves Shall Serve”. Set for release in the U.S. on June 7 via Metal Blade Records,Abyssus Abyssum Invocat features both EPs remastered and includes bonus tracks, new artwork, and new liner notes from BEHEMOTH frontman Adam “Nergal” Darski.”

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER: “Michigan’s unstoppable sons of molten melodic death metal THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER will release their new album, Ritual, in Europe on June 17 and in North America on June 21 via Metal Blade Records. The effort will also be available as a box set, limited to 2,000 units including special, exclusive digibook, witch board, magic wand, sage, incense sticks and coffin nails. The CD was once again be produced by Mark Lewis (TRIVIUM, BURY YOUR DEAD, DEICIDE), who also worked on 2009’s Deflorate.

BLOOD MORTIZED: “BLOOD MORTIZED — the Swedish death metal band featuring former AMON AMARTH guitarist Anders “Hansson” Biazzi (who played on AMON AMARTH’s first two albums, 1996’s “Sorrow Throughout The Nine Worlds” and 1998’s “Once Sent From The Golden Hall”) and CRYPT OF KERBEROS drummer Mattias Borgh — has inked a deal with Chaos Records for the release of the group’s Bestial EP. The effort was recorded, mixed, mastered and produced by drummer Mattias Borgh at Underworld Recording in Sweden. The four-song EP features artwork by Thomas Kynst and Daniel Devilish and is slated for a June/July 2011 release on both CD and vinyl format.”

BOOK OF BLACK EARTH: “Seattle, WA blackened death metal outfit Book Of Black Earth, will release their new album, The Cold Testament, on May 24th via Prosthetic Records. The album was tracked with Chris Common (Pelican, The Sword) at the Red Room Studio in Seattle and mixed and mastered by Dan Swano (Bloodbath, Nasum, Opeth) at Unisound in Sweden.”

BRUTAL TRUTH: “BRUTAL TRUTH (Kevin Sharp: vocals, Dan Lilker: bass, Richard Hoak: drums, Erik Burke: guitar) has completed work on their brand new full-length album titled End Time. BRUTAL TRUTH recorded End Time with Doug White at Watchmen Studios in Lockport, NY. The self-produced album was mixed by Jason P.C. at Goatsound Studios and is currently being mastered by Scott Hull at Visceral Sound. . . . End Time is expected to see a late summer 2011 release date with additional album information will be made available shortly.”

CHROME DIVISION: “CHROME DIVISION, the Norwegian five-piece featuring DIMMU BORGIR frontman Shagrath (a.k.a. Stian Thoresen) on guitar, will release its third album, 3rd Round Knockout, in Europe on May 6 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Marius Strand Studio in Oslo.”

DAWN OF DISEASE: “German death metallers DAWN OF DISEASE will release their debut album, Legends Of Brutality, on April 29 via Noise Art Records. The CD was recorded at Soundlodge Studio (GOD DETHRONED, DEW-SCENTED, SINISTER) with producer Jörg Uken.”

DEGRADEAD: “Stockholm, Sweden-based melodic death metallers DEGRADEAD will release their third album, A World Destroyer, in North America on June 28 via Metalville Records. The CD was recorded at Peter Tägtgren‘s (HYPOCRISY, PAIN) Abyss studios in Pärlby, outside Ludvika, Sweden, with producer Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY, CENTINEX, WORLD BELOW).”

DERANGED: “‘Depraved And Zombified‘, a brand new song from Swedish death metal masters DERANGED, is available for streaming in a YouTube clip . . . The song comes off the band’s eighth full-length album, Cut, Carve, Rip, Serve, which is scheduled for release in May via Sevared Records. The CD was recorded at Berno Studio in Malmö, Sweden.”

DESCENDING: “After a long period of intensive work in Greece and Sweden along with producer Fredrik Nordström (IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR, ARCH ENEMY) at Fredman studios, Athens, Greece-based death/thrash metal band DESCENDING has completed work the follow-up to its debut album, Enter Annihilation, which was released in European and Japanese markets in 2008-2009. The as-yet-untitled new CD will be made available on September 23 via Massacre Records. A brand new digital single will be posted online on June 1.”

THE DEVASTATED: “THE DEVASTATED, the Southern California-based band featuring former members of IMPENDING DOOM and OBLIGE, has inked a deal with Century Media Records. The band is currently in the studio with young producer Chris Eck recording its debut album for a summer release. The CD will be mixed later this month with Daniel Castleman at Lambesis Studios in San Diego, California.”

EARTH CRISIS: “Reunited hardcore legends EARTH CRISIS have set Neutralize The Threat as the title of their seventh album, due on July 12 via Century Media Records. The CD was produced by Chris “Zeuss” Harris (SHADOWS FALL, HATEBREED). ”

EXELOUME: “Norwegian death/thrashers EXELOUME have inked a deal with the Swedish label ViciSolum Productions as their first non-Swedish band. The group’s debut album, Fairytale Of Perversion, will be released on Friday, May 13. Produced by Rune Stavnesli (KEEP OF KALESSIN,BLOODTHORN) and mixed/mastered by Dan Swanö, the CD does features guest appearances from Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND) and Dan Swanö (ex-EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH, NIGHTINGALE). The artwork was created by Ed Repka (DEATH, ATHEIST, MEGADETH).”

ELITIST: “Portland, Oregon-based grind/death metal act ELITIST will release its debut album, Fear In A Handful Of Dust, on June 21 (one day earlier internationally) via Season Of Mist’s Underground Activists division. The CD is described in a press release as a ‘wild piece of old-school death metal mixed with sludgecore influences.'”

FALCONER: “Swedish metallers FALCONER will release their seventh album, Armod, in Europe on June 3 via Metal Blade Records. The CD features 11 songs completely sung in Swedish and four bonus tracks that are said to be English versions of the bandmembers’ favorite new songs. Armod was once again recorded at KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque‘s Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden.”

FATHER BEFOULED: “American death metal act FATHER BEFOULED has inked a deal with Dark Descent Records for the release of the group’s third album, Revulsion Of Seraphic Grace, on CD and LP formats. The effort will be recorded in August 2011 and is tentatively due before the end of the year. A new split seven-inch single with Chile’s DEMONIC RAGE will be made available in May, featuring the FATHER BEFOULED song“Abolition of the Seraphic Vestige”.”

GALLHAMMER: “GALLHAMMER — the Japanese extreme metal group that draws on black metal, doom metal, and crust punk — will release its third studio album, The End, on May 31 via Peaceville Records. A mini-site for the CD containing an album teaser, desktop background, free song download, and more can be accessed at this location.”

GHOST BRIGADE: “Finnish metallers GHOST BRIGADE have completed work on their third album, Until Fear No Longer Defines Us, for a late summer release via Season Of Mist.”

GOATWHORE: “New Orleans extreme metallers GOATWHORE will enter the studio in late July to begin recording their new album for a late 2011 release.”

HATE ETERNAL: “The first in a six-part series of clips featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the making of Phoenix Amongst The Ashes, the new album from Florida-based extreme metal veterans HATE ETERNAL, can be viewed below. Due on May 10 via Metal Blade Records, the CD was recorded at HATE ETERNAL mainman Erik Rutan’s Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida and was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music (SEPULTURA, SUFFOCATION, UNEARTH) in New Windsor, New York.”

KRISIUN: “KRISIUN will enter Stage One Studios in Bühne, Germany in May to begin recording its eighth full-length album for a fall release via Century Media Records. The CD will once again be produced by Andy Classen, who previously worked with the band on the Conquerors Of Armageddon (1999), AssasiNation (2005) and Southern Storm (2008) releases.”

MACHINE HEAD: “San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD will enter GREEN DAY‘s Jingletown Studios in Oakland, California this Saturday, April 16 to begin recording their as-yet-untitled seventh album for a late summer release via Roadrunner Records.”

MALIGNO: “Mexican doom rockers MALIGNO will release their third album, The Funeral Domine, in May. The CD was recorded by MALIGNO at La Nave studios in Monterrey, Mexico and was mixed at 7hertz Studios in Los Angeles, California with American producer/engineer Billy Anderson (MELVINS, NEUROSIS, CATHEDRAL, SLEEP). The effort was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music (CONVERGE,HATEBREED, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN) in New Windsor, New York. The Funeral Domine features collaborations with the acclaimed Mexican guitar duo RODRIGO Y GABRIELA and TESTAMENT guitar legend Alex Skolnick.”

CHRISTIAN MUENZNER: “Guitarist Christian Muenzner (OBSCURA) has revealed the cover artwork and track listing for his upcoming, all-instrumental solo album, Timewarp. The CD features Hannes Grossmann (OBSCURA, BLOTTED SCIENCE) on drums and Daniel Galmarini (MERCURYFALLING) on keyboards, with bass duties split between Steve DiGiorgio (DEATH, SADUS, ex-TESTAMENT, ex-ICED EARTH) and Jacob Schmidt (DEFEATED SANITY). Due by the end of April, it features guest appearances by Shrapnel recording artists Derek Taylor, Per Nilsson (SCAR SYMMETRY, KAIPA), Ryan Knight (THE BLACK DAHLIAMURDER, ex-ARSIS), Bob Katsionis (FIREWIND) and Alex Guth (STORMWARRIOR).”

HIDEOUS DIVINITY: “Italian death metallers HIDEUOS DIVINITY have inked a multi-album deal with Unique Leader Records. The band’s debut album, Obeisance Rising, will be released in June. The CD was recorded at the renowned 16th Cellar Studios by mastermind Stefano “Saul” Morabito, the man who has turned the knobs on Italy’s most acclaimed extreme productions. The lyrical concept is based on John Carpenter‘s immortal masterstroke “They Live”.

INFESTUS: “German black metal heathens INFESTUS will release their new album,“E x | I s t”, on May 19 in North America (one day earlier internationally) via Debemur Morti Productions.”

MY DYING BRIDE: “2010 marked the 20th anniversary of U.K. doom metal legends MY DYING BRIDE. To commemorate two decades of doom and gloom from the elite British act, the band embarked upon a special project to re-work familiar melodies and themes from its extensive catalogue into long, flowing symphonic compositions, incorporating new vocals and passages from vocalist, Aaron Stainthorpe. These arrangements have been brought to life in co-operation with keyboard maestro Johnny Maudling (of BAL-SAGOTH fame), as well as a clutch of talented classical musicians, and shared vocals courtesy of professional opera singer Lucie Roche. The collection — titled “Evinta” — will be released on May 31 via Peaceville Records as a two-disc set and deluxe three-disc edition with 64-page book inspired by MY DYING BRIDE’s illustrious recordings of the past two decades.”

NECROPHAGIA: “Legendary gore metal pioneers NECROPHAGIA will release their new album, Deathtrip 69, on May 17 (one day earlier internationally) via Season Of Mist. The band’s fifth official full-length CD, which features guest appearances by Maniac (SKITLIV, ex-MAYHEM) and Casey Chaos (AMEN), was recorded at Last House On The Left Studios in Ohiowith vocalist Killjoy and guitarist Boris Randall handling production duties. The cover concept and title track are based on the “Manson family” ordeal of the late 1960s.”

NOCTEM: “Spanish black/death metallers NOCTEM will release their sophomore album, Oblivion, on June 13 via Rising Records. A “signed limited tour edition” of the CD will be made available in Spain on May 24.”

ORIGIN: “American technical death metal innovators ORIGIN will release their new album, Entity, on June 7 in North America and June 10 in Europe via Nuclear Blast Records.”

POISONBLACK: “POISONBLACK — the Finnish band featuring former SENTENCED frontman Ville Laihiala — will release its fifth album, now titled Drive (working title was “Lead & Roll Vol. 5″), in Scandinavia on April 27 via Hype Records. The CD was recorded at Antfarm Studio in Århus, Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, MOONSPELL, DARK TRANQUILLITY, GOREFEST).”

QUEENSRŸCHE: “Seattle progressive rockers QUEENSRŸCHE will release their twelfth studio album, Dedicated To Chaos, on June 28 in North America via Loud & Proud Records, a Roadrunner Records imprint focusing on established artists. The band is currently planning a tour in support of the new opus, which was recorded in the group’s hometown and produced by Kelly Gray.”

REVOCATION: “REVOCATION has recently completed work on their brand new album titled Chaos of Forms. The band recorded Chaos of Forms at Damage Studios in Southbridge, Massachusetts with engineer Pete Rutcho. The follow-up to the band’s break-through Relapse debut Existence Is Futile will feature 12 new tracks totaling a little over 45 minutes in length. An August 2011 release date is expected with additional album information to be posted soon.”

SCAR SYMMETRY: “The Unseen Empire, the new album from Swedish progressive melodic death metallers SCAR SYMMETRY, will be released on April 15 in Europe and May 17 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records.”

SUICIDE SILENCE: “California deathcore masters SUICIDE SILENCE have set The Black Crown as the title of their new album, tentatively due in July via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded with heavyweight producer Steve Evetts (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, EVERY TIME I DIE, HATEBREED) and will feature the following songtitles, among others: “Human Violence”, “Cancerous Skies” and “Fuck Everything”.

SUPREME PAIN: “Dutch brutal death metallers SUPREME PAIN, who feature in their ranks members of SINISTER, CONSOLATION, PUTREFIED and FONDLECORPSE, have inked a deal with Massacre Records. The band’s third album, Divine Incarnation was recorded at Soundlodge Studiosin Leer, Germany with producer Jörg Uken and is scheduled for release on May 27. According to the group, the album will contain “nine blasting death metal tracks with an evil and twisted atmosphere.””

SYBREED: “Swiss metallers SYBREED have recorded a new song called “Challenger”, which will be released for download on April 23 exclusively on iTunes. The track will be enhanced with three “ass-kicking” remixes from BAK XIII, Voicians and Drop. The Challenger EP is a standalone release, meant to serve as a sneak preview of the “catchy” kind of material SYBREED is working on for its next CD, tentatively due in the spring of 2012. ”

TRAPPED UNDER ICE: “Baltimore, MD hardcore band Trapped Under Ice will enter the studio in June to begin recording a new full-length titled Big Kiss Goodnight. The effort will be produced by Chad Gilbert (of New Found Glory) and engineered by Paul Miner (Death By Stereo, Terror). A late-fall release via Reaper Records is planned.”

UNEARTH: “US metallers Unearth have revealed their upcoming new album will be titled Darkness In The Light. Darkness In The Light is due for a Summer-2011 release via Metal Blade Records. The album was recorded at Zing Studios in Massachusetts, US with producer Adam Dutkiewicz (Killswitch Engage guitarist).”

VADER: “Polish extreme metal veterans VADER entered Hertz Studio in Bialystok, Poland last month to begin recording their new album,Welcome To The Morbid Reich. The band is laying down a total of 12 songs for the CD, which will be mixed and mastered in May for a tentative late 2011 release.”

VOIVOD: “Canadian metal innovators VOIVOD will release a new live album, Warriors Of Ice, in the U.S. on June 21 via Sonic Unyon Metal. The CD, which can already be purchased digitally, will be made available in Canada on June 17 through Indica Records.”

YGGDRASIL: “Swedish folk metal masters YGGDRASIL will release their new album,Irrbloss (English translation: “Will-o-wisps”) on April 25 via Grand Master Music. The long-awaited follow up to 2008’s Vedergällning was recorded, mixed and mastered at Grand Master Audio in Sweden.”