"These are heavy times," explains guitarist Mark Morton. "The looming war and the fear everyone's subscribing to...it's hard for that not to infiltrate your work. Armageddon needs a heavy metal soundtrack."

...and As The Palaces Burn just might be that soundtrack. One of the most kinetic, technically challenging and unabashedly heavy pieces of music you're likely to hear, As The Palaces Burn is the soundtrack to the confusion, fear and evil that affects so many of us today. With timing of the release as impeccable as the music, LAMB OF GOD have further elevated their craft and risen to the very top of the extreme metal scene - a scene of which they became a part nearly eight years ago.

This doesn't happen by accident, of course. LAMB OF GOD embody the most essential qualities of a successful band: impeccable skill, a tireless work ethic and, perhaps most importantly, character. Hailed as the heroes of new American metal by legions of fans across the country, LAMB OF GOD have taken influences from bands like Slayer, Pantera and Sepultura and injected a contemporary extreme music aesthetic to create an unmistakable signature sound. With one of the most charismatic frontmen in rock and four awe-inspiring players behind him, LAMB OF GOD have mastered a sophisticated sound that transcends genres and can be appreciated by any open-minded music fan.

In their salad days in Richmond, VA, LAMB OF GOD members Morton, singer Randy Blythe, bassist John Campbell and drummer Chris Adler operated under the moniker BURN THE PRIEST. After releasing their self-titled album, a split 7", and a split EP with Agents Of Satan, the band changed their name to LAMB OF GOD, added guitarist Will Adler (brother of Chris Adler) and signed to Prosthetic Records.

Armed with a new name, new label and ten devastating new songs, the band teamed up with producer Steve Austin (Converge, Today Is The Day, Unsane) to create their debut, New American Gospel - a sonically pummeling album that became one of the best-received independent metal albums ever recorded. The success of the album landed the band on MTV, Much Music, DC Shoes commercials, and Fox Sports Net, in addition to some of the hottest tours of the past three years, including runs with Cannibal Corpse, Mushroomhead, GWAR, Six Feet Under, Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall and Amen.

Praise for the band reached a crescendo when Revolver magazine listed New American Gospel as one of the "69 Greatest Heavy Metal Albums Of All Time" in its September/October 2002 issue. With expectations for their new material threatening to burst through the ceiling, the quintet entered the studio with producer Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad, Soilwork, Stuck Mojo) and met the challenge with all guns blazing. As The Palaces Burn delivers the violent blend of thrash, death metal and groove their fans have come to expect, but is poised to blow a new set of minds with the infusion of more melody. The album also features guest performances by former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland, Today Is The Day frontman and New American Gospel producer Steve Austin, and Strapping Young Lad frontman/guitarist and producer Devin Townsend.

"We approached this record with a more conceptual and song oriented focus, rather than just stringing riffs together," says Morton. "It's more of a cohesive piece - another step in our evolution."

Eight years of rock and roll have paid off in spades for LAMB OF GOD. Two names, three albums and countless shows - grinding days in the studio, endless hours in the van and ferocious nights on stage - Lamb Of God are re-defining American metal with each move.