MORE 2011 SICKNESS (PART 8)

July is behind us, and the last month of the summer has begun. Drifting along even more stupidly than usual, I let the first day of the month come and go without posting our usual monthly  installment of METAL IN THE FORGE. So, we’re late with this, but I have a feeling no one was holding their breath waiting for it anyway.

You know the drill:  In these posts, we collect news blurbs and press releases we’ve seen over the last month about forthcoming new albums from bands we know and like (including occasional updates about releases we’ve included in previous installments of this series), or from bands that look interesting, even though we don’t know their music yet. In this series, we cut and paste those announcements and compile them in alphabetical order.

Remember — this isn’t a cumulative list. If we found out about a new album before July, we wrote about it in previous installments of this series. So, be sure to check the Category link called “Forthcoming Albums” on the right side of this page to see forecasted releases we reported earlier. This month’s list begins right after the jump. Look for your favorite bands, or get intrigued about some new ones. And feel free to tell us about how we fucked up by omitting releases that you’re stoked about.

ACHREN: “After a triumphant set at this years Metalcamp 2011 and their forthcoming invasion of Wacken Open Air, on Thursday 4th August at 2.15PM on the WET stage, rising Scottish metallers Achren have announced that they plan to release their long-awaited debut album on Thursday the 11th August at the UK’s Bloodstock-Open-Air 2011 festival, on the night they open the festival. Entitled ‘The Forgotten King’ this first full-length release was recorded around their native Scotland, mixed at Drop Hammer Studios in Finland by Matias Helle and mastered at Fascination Street Studios, Sweden by Jens Bogren (Amon Amarth, Opeth, Bloodbath, Devin Townsend Project).”

ANTERIOR: “U.K. modern metallers ANTERIOR will release their second album, “Echoes Of The Fallen”, in Europe on August 29 and North America on September 13 via Metal Blade Records. The 10-track effort was recorded at Grindstone Studios with producer Scott Atkins.”

BIOHAZARD: “Seminal New York City hardcore/metal band BIOHAZARD has se t“Reborn In Defiance” as the title of its tenth studio album, due in Europe on September 26 (three days earlier in Germany) via Nuclear Blast Records.”

BORKNAGAR: “BORKNAGAR is currently recording the next album roughly planned to be released in February 2012 through Century Media Records. The album will be mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren at famous Fascination Street Studios in Sweden in November.”

CIPHER SYSTEM: “15 years after the birth of the band, CIPHER SYSTEM returns with what has to be described as a masterpiece in a genre where innovation has become sparse, putting their murderous machinations on public display, forged with fearsome skill and precision: “Communicate The Storm”. Packed in the rapturous art of a true genius of darkened visuals, Seth Siro Anton (SOILWORK, PARADISE LOST, SEPTICFLESH), and with a mix once again stemming from the hallowed grounds of Studio Fredman, this colossus of an album is sure to send tremors throughout the scene when it hits the street on September 9.”

CRIMINAL: “Thrash masters CRIMINAL — originally formed in Chile and now based in the U.K. — have set “Akelarre” as the title of their seventh studio album, the first since the departure of lead guitarist and founding member Rodrigo Contreras and the subsequent addition of Basque guitar wizard Olmo Cascallar. . . . “Akelarre” will be released on August 19 by Massacre Records.”

DEMON HUNTER: “Ryan Clark and DEMON HUNTER will return to producer/longtime collaborator Aaron Sprinkle in November to begin work on what will become their sixth album.”

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 on the follow-up to its debut album, “Enter Annihilation”, which was released in European and Japanese markets in 2008-2009. The new CD, “New Death Celebrity”, will be made available on September 23 via Massacre Records.”

DREAM THEATER: “A Dramatic Turn Of Events, the much-anticipated album from progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER, which marks new drummer Mike Mangini’s recorded debut, will be released on September 13 via Roadrunner Records.”

EX DEO: “EX DEO — the Ancient Roman-themed arsenal led by KATAKLYSM frontman Maurizio Iacono — will enter JFD studios in Dallas, Texas and Montreal, Canada in the fall with producer Jean-François Dagenais (KATAKLYSM, MALEVOLENT CREATION, MISERY INDEX, DESPISED ICON) to begin recording its sophomore album, “Caligula”, for an early 2012 release via Austria’s Napalm Records. According to the band, the CD will feature “the most intense ‘epic metal soundtrack’ to come out in recent history.”

FALLOCH: “Based in Glasgow, Scotland, the duo known as FALLOCH is a growing glimmer on the atmospheric, post-black metal horizon. Set for release on September 27 via Candlelight Records, “Where Distant Spirits Remain” was produced by Ronan Chris Murphy (ULVER,KING CRIMSON) and includes six songs that showcase the band’s unique blend of styles. Fans of ALCEST, AGALLOCH, PRIMORDIAL and others will embrace FALLOCH‘s somber soul.”

GOREAPHOBIA: “Legendary Philadelphia death metal battalion GOREAPHOBIA have joined forces with Dark Descent Records for the release of their new full-length, Apocalyptic Necromancy. Slated for release on August 9th, the follow-up to 2009’s Mortal Repulsion was recorded, mixed and mastered by drummer Jim Roe and features new guitarist VJS (KULT OV AZAZEL, CRIMSON MOON, DEMONCY, etc.).”

GRAVEWORM: “Our Italian friends of GRAVEWORM will enter the “Dreamsound Studio” in Munich at the beginning of July to record the successor of “Diabolical Figures” (2009). Eleven tracks will be taped up, which are described as a “combination of GRAVEWORM’s typical elements” by frontman Stefan Fiori. Hardness meets melody – once again an individual mixture of Gothic Metal and Melodic Death Metal, the two main pillars of the South Tyrolean’s sound. The album will be entitled “Fragments Of Death” and will be released on the 14th of October via Nuclear Blast.”

HELLSAW: “Austrian black metallers HELLSAW entered Munich, Germany’s Dreamsound Studios last week to begin recording their fourth full-length album. Titled “Trist”, the follow-up to 2009’s “Cold”, is due for release in early 2012 on Napalm Records.”

INSOMNIUM: “Finnish melodic death metallers INSOMNIUM will release their new album, “One For Sorrow”, on October 12 in Finland, October 17 in the rest of Europe and October 18 in North America via Century Media Records.”

LEVIATHAN: “If all goes according to plan, the cursed and wretched new LEVIATHAN full-length album, “True Traitor True Whore”, will see its official release on Nov 8th. The return of Wrest imminent…”

MEGADETH: “MEGADETH has set “13” as the title of its new album, tentatively due in November via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine‘s Vic’s Garage studio in San Marcos, California with producer Johnny K (full name: John Karkazis), who has previously worked with DISTURBED, SEVENDUST, MACHINE HEAD and STAIND, among others.”

MOURNING CARESS: “Münster, Germany-based melodic death metallers MOURNING CARESS have inked a deal with MDD Records for the release of their third album. “Deep Wounds, Bright Scars” contains nine tracks plus a cover of the SCORPIONS classic “Blackout” as a bonus track. A new song, “Wastelands Within”, will be made available in September. The band says, “It’s a very special one for us, since it features guest vocals by the mighty Mikael Stanne from DARK TRANQUILLITY.”

OPERA IX: “Italy’s OPERA IX has inked a deal with Agonia Records for the release of the band’s new album, “Strix Maledictae In Aeternum”. Due in November, the CD — which is described in a press release as “a great opera dedicated to the dark ages of medieval witchcraft” — was recorded at the Occultum studios, owned by the OPERA IX guitarist Ossian, and was mastered at the Necromorbus Studio in Alvik, Sweden.”

PAIN OF SALVATION: “Following the turbulent and successful release of “Road Salt One” in the year 2010 and the touring activities in its support which climaxed with shows in India and South America earlier this year, Sweden’s PAIN OF SALVATION will issue “Road Salt Two” on September 26 in Europe and October 11 in North America via InsideOut Music.”

PATHOLOGY: “San Diego-based brutal death metal/slam band PATHOLOGY is completing the mixes for their new album. The effort, produced by Daniel Castleman (As I Lay Dying, Winds of Plague, Impending Doom) at Lambesis Studios, is entitled Awaken to the Suffering, and will be released Sept. 13th, 2011. Once again the band has utilized the talents of Par Olofsson (Immolation, Malevolent Creation) to handle the artwork.”

REDEMPTION: “REDEMPTION, the U.S. progressive metal band featuring in its ranks guitarist/songwriter Nick van Dyk and legendary FATES WARNING vocalist Ray Alder, will release its fifth studio album, “This Mortal Coil”, on September 26 in Europe and October 11 in North America via InsideOut Music. The follow-up to 2009’s “Snowfall On Judgment Day” was recorded and mixed with producer Neil Kernon (QUEENSRŸCHE, NEVERMORE, DEICIDE). The CD’s cover artwork was created by acclaimed artist and longtime band collaborator Travis Smith (OPETH, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, NEVERMORE).”

ROSE FUNERAL: “Beyond The Entombed, a brand new song from Cincinnati, Ohio’s ROSE FUNERAL, has been released for streaming. The track comes off the band’s new album, “Gates Of Punishment”, which will be released on September 27 via Metal Blade Records.”

SINGLE BULLET THEORY: “Philadelphia’s SINGLE BULLET THEORY will release its new album,“IV”, on September 27 via Goomba Music. The CD contains nine fresh tracks featuring new members John Ruszin III (guitar) and Jeff Kalber(bass).”

SKELETONWITCH: “SKELETONWITCH have announced October 11th, 2011 as the release date for their new album, Forever Abomination.  The band recorded the album in Los Angeles with producer Matt Hyde (Slayer, Hatebreed).”

SUBSIGNAL: “SUBSIGNAL, the new German band featuring former SIEGES EVEN members Arno Menses (vocals) and Markus Steffen (guitar), will release its second album, “Touchstones”, on September 30 via ZYX Music.”

SUFFOKATE: “Oakland, California death metallers SUFFOKATE have set “Return To Despair” as the title of their new album, due later in the year via Mediaskare Records. The CD was recorded at Undercity Studios in North Hollywood, California.”

SVARTSOT: “Danish folk metallers SVARTSOT will release their third album, “Maledictus Eris”, via Napalm Records on the following dates: July 27 – Spain, Finland, Sweden; July 29 – Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, Italy; August 1 – Rest Of Europe. According to the band, “Maledictus Eris” “recounts the tale of the Black Death’s incursion into Danish history from 1349 to 1350.”

VOYAGER: “Western Australia’s masters of progressive metal experimentation VOYAGER have signed with the New Jersey-based prog metal pros at Sensory Records for the release of the band’s upcoming fourth full-length album, “The Meaning Of I”. The official street date for the incredibly layered “The Meaning Of I” is set for October 11, 2011.”

WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM: “After devoting late Winter season to writing and recording, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM have completed their fourth full-length opus of epic, earthen Black Metal ceremony. . . . The WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM clan have confirmed the title of this forthcoming astral black metal document as Celestial Lineage. Like both previous albums, it will be released via Southern Lord Recordings, with a street date of September 13, 2011 now confirmed.”