Textures have started recording their fourth album at Split Second Sound studios in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

This will be the first record with new vocalist Daniel de Jongh (ex-Cilice) and new keyboard player Uri Dijk. The album will be produced by Textures' guitar player Jochem Jacobs, who also was responsible for the production of Textures' previous albums.

Jochem had the following to say about the recordings of the album: "It's all really exciting! This album is really going to express where and what we are these days... and that's a good thing. We've been through a lot lately, especially the last year. Now with some new air and fresh ideas, we finally reached the point that we are actually quite confident in the new material.

Sometimes you just have to crawl through the mud first to get to dry grounds. We are in the middle of the preproduction now, getting our asses in gear... to create this baby. It's kinda cool to see this band grow more and more and to continue this musical journey that we've been on for 10 years! Let's make this thing heavy!"

The yet untitled album will see its release in the fall of 2011 through Nuclear Blast Records.

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Source:	texturesband.com
Band profile:	Textures

An update on what's happening in the Amorphis camp:

"The album recordings are advancing straight and smoothly (whatever that means...). We are now working on the vocals and again we have Marco Hietala (Nightwish) producing the vocals of Tomi Joutsen. This time everything else has been done at Sonic Pump Studios except for the vocals, which are currently in the works at Marco's home studio in Kuopio.

We are emerging with roughly 15 new songs and on the album there's most likely going to be 10-11 tracks. It's again a great feeling to start realizing that the songs and ideas which have been in our heads are finally going to see the light of day.

Pekka Kainulainen has worked really hard on the lyrics. The album is going to tell the story of the most important character of Finnish mythology and folklore. He is Finnish god Väinämöinen, who was described to be an extremely powerful, wise old man who had a magical voice. Some believe that Väinämöinen was the creator of the world, an ancient hero and a very influential shaman.

Having a subject as strong as this, it was pretty obvious that making music for the album was going to be a challenge. There are lots of musical elements that have been heard on previous albums, but there is also much more. Needless to say, we are keen to hand all the material over to Mikko Karmila, who is going to start the mixing at the end of this month.

Travis Smith is currently working on the album cover and the coming artwork so far looks no less than amazing."

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Amorphis

Jim Matheos, guitarist and only remaining founding member of Fates Warning, and John Arch, the original vocalist of the band, are currently working together on a new full-length album that will be released in late spring/early summer via Metal Blade Records. The new band, called Arch/Matheos, began tracking the drums on January 12 and will continue to record through mid February with both John Arch and Jim Matheos producing the album.
Arch/Matheos features an all-star lineup including the talents of Joey Vera on bass (Armored Saint, Anthrax, Fates Warning, Seven Witches), Bobby Jarzombek on drums (Halford, Fates Warning, Sebastian Bach, Riot), and Frank Aresti on additional lead guitar (Fates Warning).

Arch was a singer on Fates Warning albums Night on Bröcken, The Spectre Within and Awaken The Guardian. In 2003 John Arch released an EP A Twist Of Fate which was his first musical work in over 17 years.

More details will be released over the coming months.

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Source:	fateswarning.com
Band profile:	Fates Warning

Legendary Brazilian/American thrashers Sepultura have posted the first of several video updates regarding their new album and plans for 2011. View the clip below!


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Source:	nuclearblast.de
Band profile:	Sepultura

Resurrected US gore legends Autopsy will enter Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California in early February with producer Adam Munoz to begin recording their new album, Macabre Eternal, for a spring release via Peaceville Records.

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Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Autopsy

Glorious Collision, the eight studio album of Swedish metallers Evergrey, will be released in late February. Audio samples of all tracks appearing on the band's upcoming album can now be streamed over at this location.

Glorious Collision album details were previously reported here.

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Source:	jpc.de
Band profile:	Evergrey

According to a Twitter message from guitarist John Petrucci, Dream Theater have started recording a new full-length album.

Petrucci writes: "First day in studio and the dawn of a new era for DT. Can't wait to get the music flowing."

And what about Mike Portnoy? Well meanwhile, the ex-Avenged Sevenfold drummer and founding member of Dream Theater has joined forces with guitarist Steve Morse (Deep Purple, ex-Kansas), multi-instrumentalist Neal Morse (Transatlantic, Spock's Beard), bassist Dave LaRue (Dixie Dregs) and vocalist Casey McPherson (Alpha Rev, Endochine). The as-yet-unnamed project has just entered the studio as well to begin work on a new album, due later in the year.

Yesterday Portnoy wrote the following on his Facebook: "It's a new year and time for new beginnings... tomorrow I start 2011 Project #1 (of many more to come): MP, Steve Morse, Neal Morse, Dave LaRue & Casey McPherson... the musical potential is off the charts! Very exciting indeed."

Keep checking for updates!

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Source:	dreamtheater.net
Band profile:	Dream Theater

Arch Enemy have released the following statement:

"Coming off a triumphant headlining tour in the UK last month with support by Grand Magus, Chthonic and Malefice, metal masters Arch Enemy have begun recording a new studio album. After releasing the Tyrants Of The Rising Sun - Live In Japan Live DVD/CD (2008) and the re-recordings album The Root Of All Evil (2009), the new studio effort marks the long awaited successor of 2007's acclaimed Rise Of The Tyrant album.

Arch Enemy's new album will be self-produced by the band and engineered/mixed by Rickard Bengtsson (who already produced 2005's Doomsday Machine album). The band has recently entered Sweet Spot Studio in the south of Sweden for the album's recording process and drummer Daniel Erlandsson, who just finished off tracking his parts, now checks in with the following report:

"After an intense but inspiring stay in the studio, I've just completed recording the drum tracks for the upcoming Arch Enemy album! We're working once again with Rickard Bengtsson, who produced Doomsday Machine, and he quickly dialed in an absolutely pristine drumtone! I've also had the expertise of local drum guru Beppe Wackelin at hand, helping out with tuning and kindly letting me use some of his vintage drums. This time around I've used a Pearl Reference drum kit, while incorporating various snare drums on songs that demanded a slightly different feel.

We had a very inspiring and creative time writing this album, I think this is definitely evident when listening to the new songs. There's tons of variation in the material, ranging all the way from very melodic to extremely heavy. As you can expect there's no shortage of killer riffs and intricate guitar work, the Amott Bros have come up with some very cool yet demanding ideas! This album has some of the fastest songs I've ever recorded, along with a bunch of heavy pounding mid tempo songs. As always, it's difficult to describe music in words - but rest assured - this album will be one heavy fucker!"


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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Arch Enemy

US Thrasher's Anger As Art is currently in the pre-production of their fourth studio album. In a lengthy "End Of Year" update, the band vocalist and guitarist, Steve Gaines, states the following:

"You guys have no idea what kind of absolute rage has been un-corked in the music we are writing for album #4. Yes, I said it here - we are now in pre-production for our 4th full length release. With the tentative title of Hubris, Inc - once again the subject matter is about rising against. If you all walked in our shoes, you'd know (and many of you do. That is why we speak not just for you, but with you!!!). At this point, I cannot say anything more than it sounds like Anger, the logical next step after Disfigure. Song titles so far:

Lead You To Betray
Divided We Fall
Speed Kills
Time Devours Life
This is Why I Hate
Head Of The Snake
The Evil You Create

On a personal note - I have to tell you how thrilled I am to have Angelo, Rob and Dan in this band as we prepare for #4. I can honestly say that after having been something of a bulldozer with previous line-ups (trying to keep everyone focused on what AAA is - not what it isn't or could be with a little tweaking) this is the first time I can really let go and let the guys bring their vision in. We hope to start tracking sometime in spring... but we have a lot of irons in the fire."

You can read the full message at this location.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Anger As Art

Norwegian avantgarde metal outfit Ram-Zet are currently working on a new record, the follow up to 2009's Neurtralized.

The band posted the following short statement from the studio: "We're recording our 5th album these days... we're done with the drums, almost there with the bass, and Thursday, Zet started at his guitar work, which is going to be areal blast for him, as he's never been this exited!"

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Ram-Zet

Critically acclaimed grind act, Wormrot will be heading into Singapore's TNT Music Productions this January to record a brand new album entitled Dirge. With this being the full-length follow-up to Abuse, the band promises to bring their breakneck grind tones to grim new lows.

Frontman, Arif Rot is highly excited about the band's new material and wants the world to know about it: "We are definitely stoked to get this album out. We are working extra hard on this one. EXTRA FUCKING HARDER THAN ABUSE. We are currently in the rehearsal studio still writing songs and making some minor adjustments and what not. If you are digging Abuse and also from our latest split with I Abhor, then u might dig the new album. We'll be in the studio for Dirge first week of January. NEW YEAR WITH A NEW DOSAGE OF GRIND!"

Wormrot's new album, Dirge is due for a Spring 2011 release.

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Source:	earachenews.blogspot.com
Band profile:	Wormrot

British melodic death metallers The Soulless, who recently changed their name from Ignominous Incarceration, are going into the studio today, December 15th, to begin recording their new album. The Soulless are heading into Outhouse Studios in Reading, England with producer John Mitchell (Architects, Funeral For A Friend, Enter A Shikari) and will be recording until midway through January, 2011.

The as-yet untitled new album is due to be released on Earache Records in April, 2011.

The Soulless frontman Andy Wardle comments: "We are all beyond excited to start this process. The last few weeks we have been relentlessly rehearsing the tracks and are very happy with our creation. We know it is going to sound even better when finished at Outhouse. Everything will be heavily documented and regular video updates will be up after each stage of recording. Artwork, an official video, album title, tours and new merch are all in the works, so this is the calm before the storm..."

The Soulless recently released a brand new pre-production track to give fans a taste of what to expect from the new album. Listen to the new track, "Earthbound", on the band's MySpace page.

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Source:	earachenews.blogspot.com
Band profile:	The Soulless

Leaves' Eyes have issued the following update from the studio:

"The production of the new album will be finished soon. We are proud to announce our cooperation with the Lingua Mortis Orchestra and Victor Smolski as well as the choir "al dente", who also worked with us on previous releases. The classical recordings will take place next week in Minsk, Belarus. Moreover, we are happy to announce that we have more special guests on the upcoming album, for duets and special historic instruments."

The new Leaves' Eyes album is planned to be released in April 2011. More details will follow soon.

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Source:	leaveseyes.de
Band profile:	Leaves' Eyes

Dutch metallers Asphyx have issued the following update on their MySpace blog:

"Asphyx is currently working on songs for the upcoming Deathhammer album. In January Asphyx will enter the Sonic Assault studio again to record the first 4 tracks together with their sound engineer Frank Klein Douwel. Some titles are "Reign Of The Brute" ,"Vespa Cabro" ," We Doom You To Death","Asphyx-Minefield", and the titletrack "Deathhammer". Axel Hermann will do the cover artwork and Dan Swanö will do the mixing again."

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Asphyx

Official press release

Toxic Holocaust has entered Dexters Lab in Milford, CT to begin work on the long-awaited follow-up to An Overdose Of Death... The band is recording with Toxic Holocaust / Kingdom Of Sorrow drummer and engineer Nick Bellmore (Hatebreed, Phantoms, Full Blown Chaos). The new full-length is expected to see a late spring 2011 release date. Additional release information will be posted shortly and studio updates are posted regularly at this location.

Toxic Holocaust frontman Joel Grind recently checked in from the studio with the following; "We are on Day 4 of recording the new record, everything is coming together quickly and smoothly. Drums are finished and we have started on guitar tracks. I'm excited for people to hear this new stuff, its not going to alienate old fans by any means but I think it might attract some new ones. It's definitely a step up from what we've done, and this time around we've increased the evil ten fold. The lyrics on this record are a little darker including lots of occult themes as well as real life shit that is stranger than fiction could ever be."

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Toxic Holocaust