MORE 2011 SICKNESS (PART 9)

It’s Labor Day Weekend, August is a thing of the past, and as some people count it, summer is over. School is on the verge of resuming for people still attempting to educate themselves, and a ton of new metal tours are looming on the horizon for the fall. And of course, the fall will be filled with new album releases, too. Which brings us to the latest monthly edition of METAL IN THE FORGE.

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 August, 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.

ABSU: “ABSU’s forthcoming sixth full-length opus, Abzu, is set for North American release on October 4. The band’s second album for international heavyweight Candlelight Records, Abzu is the second part of a trilogy of recordings from the band.”

THE AGONIST: “Mixed by Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, DARK TRANQUILLITY, SUICIDE SILENCE), THE AGONIST‘s new full-length album is slated for an early 2012 release via Century Media Records.”

AMEBIX: “Cult British underground heavyweights AMEBIX recently parted company with Alternative Tentacles Records after 26 years. The band has decided to step up to the challenge of releasing its own work and has founded Amebix Records in conjunction with Easyaction. They are releasing the new album and back catalogue under the new label while Profane Existence will continue to manufacture and sell the band’s work as high-quality vinyl releases, with global distribution through Cargo Records. AMEBIX‘s new album, “Sonic Mass”, will be made available on September 23 as a CD and gatefold vinyl LP, as well as a digital download.”

BRUTAL TRUTH: “BRUTAL TRUTH’S new full-length album, “End Time”, will be released on September 27 in North America via Relapse Records. The CD was recorded with Doug White at Watchmen Studios in Lockport, New York and was mixed by Jason P.C. at Goatsound Studios. Mastering duties were handled by Scott Hull at Visceral Sound.”

COLDWORKER: “COLDWORKER — the Örebro, Sweden-based “blasting” death metal band consisting of current and former/current members of such acts as NASUM, RELENTLESS, RUIN and PHOBOS — has inked a deal with Listenable Records. The group’s third album, “The Doomsayer’s Call”, will be released this winter.”

CONDEMNED: “San Diego, California-based death metallers CONDEMNED will release their second album, “Realms Of The Ungodly”, on November 8 via Unique Leader Records.”

DARKTHRONE: “Peaceville Records has set a September 5 release date for the reissue of DARKTHRONE‘s seventh album of primitive black metal, “Ravishing Grimness”, featuring new artwork selected by the band, plus a bonus commentary disc with Fenriz and Nocturno describing their inspirations, as well as memories from the time of recording.”

ELUVEITIE: “Swiss melodic-folk-death-metallers, ELUVEITIE, has just launched a brand new and completely redesigned website and has taken the occasion to announce the title and production status of their upcoming album Helvetios.”

ENTRAILS: “You’ve been waiting for this one! If you thought Entrails’ Tales from the Morgue was one of the best old school Swedish death metal releases of 2010 (and many of you did), then be prepared to crown The Tomb Awaits king for 2011. The album is set for a September 9th release on Dark Descent Records in North America and on FDA Rekotz in Europe. Once again mixed and mastered by the legendary Dan Swano, The Tomb Awaits also features guest vocals by Swano and cover art by Daniel Devilish. Expect nothing less than festering, rotten death metal.”

FALLUJAH: “Northern California’s FALLUJAH will release its new album, “The Harvest Wombs”, on November 22 via Unique Leader Records.”

FESTER: “Norwegian black/death metallers FESTER have completed work on their first studio album in 17 years, “A Celebration Of Death”, for a late 2011/early 2012 release via Abyss Records. Original member Bjørn “Tiger” Mathisen has recruited Thomas Andresen (ALGOL) on vocals, Jon Bakker (KAMPFAR) on bass, and jazz musician Audun Kleive on session drums.”

FUCK THE FACTS: “FUCK THE FACTS has recently completed work on their brand new full-length, Die Miserable. Die Miserable was recorded in-between touring at the band’s home studio and has been set for an October 11th North American release date.”

HATESPHERE: “The infamous Danish institution responsible for delivering the heaviest of riffs unleashes its latest album “The Great Bludgeoning”: a merciless and brutal inferno that will leave a trail of destruction in its wake. Guitarist and mastermind Peter “Pepe” Hansen and his accomplices confirm the band’s supremacy and reach new heights with blistering tracks, such as “Venom”, “Need to Kill”, and “Smell of Death”. High-speed riffs, furious solos, and grueling drums are the foundation of HateSphere’s sound, in which technical prowess and appeal brilliantly unite. Esben “Esse” Hansen, the new man on the mic, emerges as a driving force, using his aggressive vocals to push the band even further. As a result of this perfectly balanced cooperation, HateSphere delivers a compact and uncompromising album that will outflank even the band’s previous classic releases. “The Great Bludgeoning” is scheduled for release on September 27 in North America and a day earlier in Europe.”

HULL: “Hailing from the streets of Brooklyn, New York, HULL has yet again emerged with a creation to outlive the ages. Hard at work since the release of their 2009 debut, Sole Lord, ideas were envisioned and the mighty wind of creativity brought upon this Earth the latest saga, Beyond The Lightless Sky. Beyond The Lightless Sky will be released on October 11, 2011 via The End Records.”

IMPENDING DOOM: “California-based Christian death metallers IMPENDING DOOM will enter the studio this week to begin recording their as-yet-untitled new album. The CD will be produced by Andreas Magnusson (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, THE FAMINE) and will be mixed by Machine, who has previously worked with LAMB OF GOD, SUICIDE SILENCE and DEMON HUNTER, among others.”

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE: “Massachusetts metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE are preparing to enter the studio to begin working on the follow-up to their 2009 self-titled album. Guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz writes on the band’s Facebook page, “YO! It’s Adam D! We’re about to begin writing our new record. Thanks to all of our fans for waiting so friggin’ patiently … now let’s turn on the ‘riff faucet’ and RAGE.””

MARTYR: “Metal Blade Records has set a November 8 North American release date for “Circle Of 8”, the long-awaited new album from Dutch metal veterans MARTYR.”

MORS SUBITA: “The Oulu, Finland- based MORS SUBITA have inked a deal with Violent Journey Records. The band’s highly anticipated debut titled ”Human Waste Compression” is scheduled to be released on 21. of September.”

PAGAN RITES: “Swedish black metal veterans PAGAN RITES have completed work on a new mini-album, “Preachers From Hell”. The CD was recorded in Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden with Stefan Karlsson (ex-SOUL REAPER) and was mastered by Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND). “Preachers From Hell” will be released later in the year via Unexploded Records.”

REDSCREAM: “Three members of the legendary Swedish death metal band GRAVE have joined forces with Florida-based guitarist Ralph Santolla (OBITUARY,DEICIDE) in a brand new group called REDSCREAM. The project is currently writing material in Stockholm while seeking a lead singer to complete the band’s lineup.”

SVARTTJERN: “Norwegian black metal outfit SVARTTJERN — featuring vocalist HansFyrste from RAGNAROK, and guitarist Haan and bassist Terror from BLOODSPAWN — will release its new album, “Towards The Ultimate”, on September 27 in Europe and October 25 in North America via Agonia Records.”

TEXTURES: “A six-minute YouTube featuring audio samples of all the tracks that will appear on “Dualism”, the new album from the Dutch progressive technical metal band TEXTURES, can now be heard. Due on September 23 in Europe, South America, Asia and Australia and September 27 in North America, the “Dualism” CD can be pre-ordered from Nuclear Blast USA‘s webshop.”

THREAT SIGNAL: “Canadian modern metal masters THREAT SIGNAL will release their third, self-titled album on October 7 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Planet Z studios in Hadley, Massachusetts with producer Chris “Zeuss” Harris (CHIMAIRA, HATEBREED, ALL THAT REMAINS, THE ACACIA STRAIN, BORN OF OSIRIS, SHADOWS FALL).”

THRONE OF KATARSIS: “Norwegian black metal act THRONE OF KATARSIS will release its new album, “Ved Graven”, on October 24 in Europe and November 1 in the U.S. via Candlelight Records. According to a press release, “the album title ‘Ved Graven’ can be translated to ‘At the Grave’, and is by far the darkest material written by the band to this date.”

THULCANDRA: “Obscura mastermind Steffen Kummerer continues his musical journey through time by taking Thulcandra’s latest album, “Under a Frozen Sun”, back to the Sweden of the early 90s. The entire band is deeply rooted in the infamous sound of Sweden’s black death metal, which combines scorching riffs, anthemic melodies, delicate solos supported by driving drums, and intense vocal renditions. Thulcandra is able to find a balance between ice-cold heaviness and melodic appeal. “Under A Frozen Sun” is scheduled for release later this fall on Napalm Records.”

VALLENFYRE: “Century Media Records has revealed more details about its latest signing, the U.K. death metal band VALLENFYRE. The group is the brainchild of Gregor Mackintosh, songwriter and guitarist of PARADISE LOST, and features members of MY DYING BRIDE, AT THE GATES andDOOM. . . . “A Fragile King” will be released on October 31 in Europe and on November 1 inNorth America.”

WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM: “Today, Pitchfork Media are hosting a stream of “Thuja Magus Imperium,” the opening track from the WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM clans’ new astral black metal document, Celestial Lineage. Weighing in at over eleven and a half minutes, the anthem beholds some of the band’s most elemental blackened prowess, their signature cavalcade of percussion, and the contrast between both scathing and beautiful clean vocals, the track also boasts some of the most epic guitar leads the band has ever put to tape. Hear the mammoth hymn at this location. With Celestial Lineage set for release via Southern Lord in less than two weeks, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM have already embarked on their latest tour to promote the new material.”