Artist

Maryland based hard rock group CLUTCH will internationally release a brand new DVD set entitled Live at the 9:30 in mid May. This 200 minute double disc concert film will be sold at the fan friendly price of $19.98.

Disc one features a 90 minute full length concert filmed with seven hi-definition cameras last December at Washington DC's legendary 9:30 Club. In addition to newer fan favorites like "50,000 Unstoppable Watts" and "Let a Poor Man Be," the concert film's first disc will include their 1995 self titled release performed in it's entirety. An audio version of the full 19 song concert will be exclusively available through iTunes on May 11th.

Disc two is the 110 minute feature film Fortune Tellers Make a Killing Nowadays, which takes a behind the scenes look at Clutch on tour city by city in 2009. In addition, it also includes rare band interviews as well as vintage never before seen footage documenting much of Clutch's history from 1991 to the present. Both discs were directed and produced by Agent Ogden, who first worked with the band, on 2007's Full Fathom Five, Video Field Recordings.

On June 4th, Clutch will kick off another leg of their 2010 worldwide headlining tour. The early summer portion takes the band through the USA, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Greece, Italy and the UK. The band's instrumental jazz rock alter ego, The Bakerton Group, will appear as one of the opening acts in North America. Both The Bakerton Group and Clutch will appear on the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival on June 11th and 12th respectively. In support of the tour dates and the forthcoming Live at the 9:30, as well as the current Strange Cousins From the West album, Weathermaker Music will release the new single, "Let a Poor Man Be", on May 3rd with an accompanying video clip and a rare promo only EP featuring unreleased material.

In addition, Clutch and Weathermaker Music are currently preparing expanded CD and vinyl re-issues of From Beale Street to Oblivion, Robot Hive/Exodus and Blast Tyrant. These three albums will be available digitally and physically at retail and the band's websites on the CD/DVD format on June 22nd, August 17th and October 12th respectively. Double vinyl versions of all three re-issues will be available on November 23rd.

Comments Weathermaker label manager Jon Nardachone: "The bonus content of the three re-issues will be entirely different. We're still sifting through unreleased Clutch originals, cover songs, live audio, live video, alternate takes, etc. One thing we know for sure is that each re-issue will have updated and upgraded artwork/packaging as well as additional music from the exact time frame each CD was first released. This is not about tacking on a couple of unfinished demos to the end of each CD. We're producing these with the knowledge that Clutch fans expect something fresh, yet distinguishably representative of that moment in time. The diehard fan will appreciate these projects in a big way."

Clutch Live at The 9:30 Club Tracklist:
DVD 1:
Clutch Live @ 9:30 Club Filmed Concert Performance 12/28/09
50,000 Unstoppable Watts
Struck Down
Minotaur
Let A Poor Man Be
Big News 1
Big News 2
Rock & Roll Outlaw
Texan Book of The Dead
Escape From The Prison Planet
Spacegrass
I Have The Body of John Wilkes Booth
Tight Like That
Animal Farm
Droid
The House That Peterbilt
7 Jam
Tim Sult Vs. The Greys
Regulator
Gravel Road

DVD 2:
Fortune Tellers Make A Killing Nowadays documentary film

Clutch tour dates:
USA
6/04 Huntington, WV @ V Club
6/05 Lexington, KY @ Buster's Billiards & Backroom
6/06 Toledo, OH @ Headliner's
6/07 Urbana, IL @ Canopy Club
6/09 Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom
6/10 Little Rock, AR @ The Village
6/11 Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo the bakerton group
6/12 Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo clutch
6/13 Montgomery, AL @ Strange Days
6/14 Houma, LA @ The City Club of Houma
6/15 Beaumont, TX @ Whiskey River
6/17 Greenville, SC @ The Handlebar
6/18 Norfolk, VA @ Norva
6/19 Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock

Europe:
7/16 Tönsberg, Norway Slottsfjell Festival
7/17 Tromso, Norway Bukta Festival
7/19 Goteborg, Sweden Sticky Fingers, Top Floor
7/21 Athens, Greece AN Club
7/22 Milan, Italy Magnolia
7/23 Pinerella Di Cevia, Italy Rock Planet
7/25 London, England High Voltage Festival

For more information, visit Clutch's official website, MySpace and Weathermaker Music.

Swedish progressive rockers KATATONIA have announced that they will embark on a headlining North American tour this September/October, set to kick off in Baltimore on September 8th. The confirmed dates are…

Sept. 8 Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
Sept. 9 Philadelphia, PA @ The Trocadero
Sept. 10 New York, NY @ The Gramercy Theatre
Sept. 11 Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
Sept. 12 Montreal, Quebec, Canada @ Petit Campus
Sept. 13 Toronto, Ontario, Canada @ Opera House
Sept. 14 Cleveland, OH @ Peabody's
Sept. 15 Detroit, MI @ Blondie´s
Sept. 16 Milwaukee, WI @ Rave
Sept. 17 Chicago, IL @ Reggie Rock Club
Sept. 18 St Paul, MN @ Station 4
Sept. 21 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
Sept. 22 Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theater
Sept. 23 Portland, OR@ Hawthorne Theatre
Sept. 24 San Francisco, CA @ The Parkside
Sept. 25 Santa Anna, CA @ Galaxy Theatre
Sept. 26 West Hollywood, CA @ Whiskey a Go Go
Sept. 28 Mesa, AZ @ U.B.´s Bar
Sept. 29 Tuscan, AZ @ The Rock
Sept. 30 Dallas, TX @ Trees
Oct. 1 Austin, TX @ Emo's Alternative Lounging
Oct. 2 Houston, TX @ The Warsaw
Oct. 4 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
Oct. 5 Louisville, KY @ Uncle Pleasants
Oct. 6 Raleigh, NC @ Volume 11
Oct. 7 West Springfield, VA @ Jaxx

General admission and special VIP tickets are currently on sale exclusively through EnterTheVault.com until May 1st, when tickets will go on sale through all other ticket outlets. All VIP ticket holders will be admitted into the venue before the doors open for a special meet-and-greet with the band.

Progressive metal giants NEVERMORE return with The Obsidian Conspiracy, the long awaited follow-up to 2005's This Godless Endeavor. A new video featuring audio clips from The Obsidian Conspiracy spanning the entire new album can now be viewed at this location.

The Obsidian Conspiracy is set to be released on June 8th in North America and May 31st in Europe through Century Media Records.

What do you get when you take the progressive tendencies of Cathedral, the doom/death riffing of Asphyx, the epic atmosphere of early Candlemass, the sheer brutality of Autopsy and the melancholic melodies of Finland? The answer is Hooded Menace, Finland's up-and-coming doom/death juggernaut.

The band's sophomore offering, Never Cross the Dead (Profound Lore Records), is an album of epic proportions. The band—which is led by Lasse Pyykkö on guitars, bass and vocals—breathes new life into the death metal field by incorporating heavy doses of doom/death in the vein of Asphyx and Autopsy done with a progressive edge. The best way that I can describe the band's sound would be taking fellow Finns, Swallow the Sun, stripping away all of their electronics and production and adding a good amount of grime to their riffs.

The album starts off with the title track, which sets the mood for the entire record. Throughout the 50+ minutes of Never Cross the Dead, not only are we treated with heavy and haunting grooves, but also with sorrowful melody lines ("Rituals of Mortal Cremation" and "As the Creatures Ascend"), prog-rock passages ("Terror Castle") and a totally unique cover of the theme from the classic Amando de Ossorio flick The Return of the Evil Dead. As intense and brutal as Never Cross the Dead is, I found myself going back to it time and time again—a sign that the band is surely doing something magical.

This record is highly recommended for those who are looking to get away from the cookie-cutter mold of today's oversaturated death metal scene. Never Cross the Dead is an album for those who enjoy their metal stripped down, tasteful, dirty and, above all else, heavy. —Henry Yuan

American militant vegan, straight-edge outfit EARTH CRISIS announced they will close the touring cycle of their latest album, To the Death, with a headline tour entitled the Wrath of Sanity North American tour which kicks off on April 22. The bill will be rounded out by First Blood and Thick As Blood. The trek will also hit The New England Metal and Hardcore festival and conclude at the California Metalfest.

Longtime drummer Dennis Merrick will only be playing the first four shows and will be replaced by Andy Hurley (Fall Out Boy) for the remainder of the tour. Comments Hurley: "EARTH CRISIS is one of my favorite bands ever. They are the reason why I am vegan and straight edge. The origins of most of my philosophical/political beliefs come from them introducing me to a whole new way of thinking.

When I was asked to fill in on the upcoming tour, I was beyond stoked. It felt like being called up to the major league, and I think that this will be the most fun I will have on a tour. Be sure to come check it out because this is a band whose songs beat in my heart and who have never forgotten how to write brutally awesome songs."

For complete dates, visit Earth Crisis' MySpace page.

Eyal Levi and Emil Werstler, the guitar titans of modern metal outfit DAATH, will unleash their new all-instrumental collaboration, Levi/Werstler's Avalanche of Worms, on Magna Carta Records on April 20th. To hear a sneak preview of the first single from the album, "Dura Mater", visit the band's website at www.leviwerstler.com.

The duo has teamed with legendary drummer Sean Reinert (Cynic, ex-Death) to deliver a commanding sonic statement. Both accomplished guitarists, their interplay allows Levi's compositional style and Werstler' virtuosic guitar abilities to complement each other fully. Reinert proves yet again to be unparalleled in his intensity and musicality on drums. This unique alchemy prevents this album from being classified under any one genre. Comments Werstler: "We work in metal but the vibe of this is just coming from somewhere else. It's hard to put your finger on what it is."

Avalanche of Worms is available now for pre-order from both Magna Carta Records and Third Degree Merch. For more information on Levi/Werstler, head over to their MySpace.

Abscess' Danny Coralles and Chris Reifert

"When we started Autopsy, the Bay Area thrash scene was in full swing. You know, Testament, Vio-Lence, Forbidden…all of those bands," recalls Autopsy skinsman and vocalist Chris Reifert of the band's early Nineties beginnings. "That was not something we wanted to do. When people talk about the glory days of the Bay Area, most of it was crap."

Reifert's less-than-positive sentiment towards the Bay Area thrash movement is what prompted the singer to push Autopsy's music into new extremes, combining the doom of Black Sabbath, the intensity of Possessed and the horror themes of Death.

This contrarian attitude has, for the past 20-plus years, fueled Reifert and Autopsy guitarist Danny Coralles' creative pursuits, whether in Autopsy, other projects including Mirror Snake, Eat My Fuk, the Ravenous and Death, or their most-recent cult death-punk outfit, Abscess.

"[With Abscess] we like to mix things up with brutal death metal, punk, doom and psychedelic," Reifert explains. "There are a lot of ingredients out there that you can mix to make some brutal shit." The band—rounded out by guitarist/vocalist Clint Bower and bassist/vocalist Joe Allen (ex-Von)—has just released what may be its most eclectic and brutal full-length, Dawn of Inhumanity [Peaceville].

Along with Abscess' upcoming album, Reifert and Coralles will be revisiting Autopsy this year, and hitting the stage—for the first time since their separation fifteen years ago—with the headlining spot at the Maryland Deathfest.

MetalKult recently caught up with both Reifert and Coralles for a brief chat where they discuss Dawn of Inhumanity, their musical roots, Autopsy and what it was like playing with the late Chuck Schuldiner. By Henry Yuan

Your sixth and latest Abscess record, Dawn of Inhumanity, shows the band getting closer to perfecting a true "death metal punk rock" sound. What was the writing process like?

Danny Coralles One of us will bring riff ideas to practice where they may or may not be manipulated altered or perverted by the band. Then vocals, solos, harmonies, twizzles, etc. are all figured in. Guitar solos are either written or improvised on the spot - gotta love the spontaneity of a crazed mind! We'll tweak a song up until the last second before recording but there really are no rules.

How important is punk to your playing and as a person? Is there anything about it that grabs you that death metal can't?

Chris Reifert Punk is great with death metal if it's

done right and it's definitely important for Abscess and what we do. It's just as important as the other things that make our sound.
Coralles It's a natural progression of the extreme. As a kid I was there for the dawn of punk: The Stooges, New York Dolls, Dead Boys, The Ramones, Sex Pistols, The Plasmatics… I just loved that fuck-it-all attitude. It didn't matter if they were great players—you could feel the aggression in their music. However, punk became New Wave and you could buy anarchy purses at Target. That's when I had to look elsewhere for brutality. Metal was there throughout the whole punk era, which I also worshiped, so they both grabbed me the same way: by the throat!

Aside from the death, doom and punk influences, I also hear psychedelic rock creep into some of the riffs, especially with the use of feedback and ringed out notes. The atmospheric aspect of Abscess really comes to life with Dawn of Inhumanity. Does playing in Mirror Snake, and your other bands, influence the writing for Abscess?

Reifert Hmm, I don't know. It's all metal, you know? I mean, at least in our minds. It's just the way these things are approached. Like I said, it's important for us to mix things to create this sound. They're all important. We've done some other projects and they all have their own personality but we try not to get that in the way of our own sound. You can always tell if something sounds like us.
Coralles Back in the mid seventies when I was listening to early punk, I was also listening to everything from Deep Purple, The Who, Alice Cooper, UFO, Rick Derringer… just a ton of stuff. Later on, you find yourself listening to Venom, King Diamond, Repulsion, Impetigo, Blasphemy, Voivod, etc. Everything I've done in my life seems to blend together with Abscess so I reserve the right to draw on any of lives experiences at any time.
Reifert I think that's what makes us who we are. We just play what's going through our own minds. I mean, we're all music fans and there are definitely bands that we like or look up to but when it comes to writing, we never shoot to sound like anything or anyone. If it bleeds through, it's definitely unintentional. When we write for Abscess, we clear our minds and focus on what Abscess should write.

Reifert playing...without no f'ng triggers!

How did the band come in contact with Darkthrone and Tyrant Syndicate? How has working with them been?

Reifert We kinda knew those guys through Peaceville from way back. We definitely like their music and there's a mutual respect between us. This was before they had their own label and then later on when they started Tyrant Syndicate through Peaceville, they wanted to release some stuff from Abscess. That's pretty much how it went down. Working with those guys is great. They definitely know what our attitude is and are really supportive of what we do. It's just great.
Coralles Both Nocturno Culto and Fenriz actually have guest vocals on Dawn Of Inhumanity. Tyrant Syndicate had a great run. RIP Tyrant Syndicate.

Dennis Dread once again created the cover art for you guys, and the results are brutal to say the least. Was there a concept that you guys wanted to explore?

Coralles Usually we'll have a rough idea that we'll tell the artist. When he's about half way through we'll check it and sometimes make major changes. However, this time I think we just let Dennis do his thing and—as usual—it came out sick!
Reifert We're definitely happy with it. It looks killer and it goes great with the music. I hope it comes out on vinyl one day because that would be one awesome gatefold cover right there. [laughs] But yeah, he's great to work with and his stuff matches our sound pretty well.

Danny, what gear did you use during the sessions for the album and was there a particular reason for using them? Was there a specific sound you wanted to achieve?

Coralles I have an Ampeg Lee Jackson 100 watt head. For some reason, we weren't getting the sound we wanted out of it so we ended up running a bass distortion pedal through it for the rhythms. For my solos, I used a Vox Wah and a bit of delay. The search for the perfect tone never ends!

Chris, how do you approach your drumming? What are your thoughts about modern death metal drumming (specifically the use of triggers)?

Reifert Oh, man! You said the "T" word! Ugh! I hate it – I really can't stand it. I play what I like to play and for me, I like to hit the drums really hard. I like to use all the drums and not just the kick and the snare. It keeps it exciting for me. Some of my favorite drummers are Keith Moon from The Who and [Slayer's] Dave Lombardo who everyone knows. Somewhere in the middle between those two guys is the perfect drumming. You got the crazy, out of control style of Keith and Dave Lombardo. I'm not perfect, but I try to play aggressively and make it count.

I hate triggers, click tracks and things like that. I just don't understand why anyone would want to use that stuff unless they have a problem playing or hitting the drum hard enough [laughs]. I've seen bands play where the drummers would blast away at light speed and sound really impressive but when I take a closer look, their sticks aren't even coming an inch off the drum. What the fuck? Hit that thing! I don't like that stuff. I like to sound real. I don't record with a click track, either. I consider it cheating. If you're a drummer, you're supposed to know how to play in time anyway.

Autopsy is a band whose legacy lasted a powerful effect on the death metal and underground scenes at the dawn of the 90's with the release of Severed Survival. The band was left for dead once Abscess started rolling. However, you guys recorded two new tracks for Peaceville's reissue of the album and are confirmed for this year's Maryland Deathfest in May. What triggered the decision to resurrect Autopsy?

Reifert We actually broke off Autopsy when we started Abscess. We didn't let it die in vain. We started Abscess so we can still play and we've been going strong for 16 years now. The two Autopsy tracks we did for the 20th anniversary of Severed Survival was something special because it's a big event for us. We wanted to make it over the top. At first, we wanted to do one new song and it was so fun that it turned into two. It was a great time and I think the tracks came out great. It just seemed like it was the time to do more stuff. We got a call from the Maryland Deathfest people, talked to them and decided it'd be cool to play the show.
Coralles Severed Survival had already been reissued a number of times so we figured, what could we do for the 20th anniversary release that would make it extra special? We had unreleased material but we needed something more. We had never planned on being Autopsy again but I think that's what made it a good idea: we were doing it because it felt natural. We stumbled upon the idea as something fun to do as opposed to just wanting to cash in on it. It was a great time to do it. We got Clint and Joe from Abscess to play the bass tracks.

We thought that was the end of it. Then, we played The Maryland Deathfest last year as Abscess. When Pestilence cancelled, we heard rumors that Autopsy was the secret replacement band. I thought, that's crazy! Well, now a year later, we're headlining the fest as Autopsy! What a great honor! We plan to slay this event, for sure. From my experience, the MDF is the best run, most awesome metal fest the States has to offer. Ryan and Evan [the organizers of Maryland Deathfest] rule!

Nirvana 2002 just got announced for MDF, along with reunited death metal pioneers Pestilence, Asphyx and Gorguts. How do you feel about the resurgence of interest with old-school death metal and these classic bands breathing new life?

Reifert Oh, it's great. I'm all for more metal, you know? As far as we're concerned, we never stopped or slowed down one minute. We just kept chugging away between Abscess and Autopsy. If other bands are getting back together and sound like they mean it and not fresh out of ideas, then that's great. There are definitely some cases where these things have no soul or any new ideas left. Whether this stuff is popular or not, we're gonna continue to do our thing.

It's kind of crazy how some of these kids weren't even born when these bands were at their peak.

Reifert Yeah, man. It's pretty crazy but it's great. It's great that there's an excitement with these kids when they hear a band for the first time or the tenth time. It's just great, man. I still remember freaking out when I was 14 or 15 at the hardest shit I can find. It's an awesome feeling. I'm glad that we can be a part of the same excitement for these kids.

Do you feel that one possible reason for this is because kids are fed up with the new, "plastic"-sounding death metal bands?

Reifert It could be, but I hear bands who still sound like that even when they do play old-sounding stuff. It just depends on the band. We all know how sometimes when something turns 20 years old, it all of a sudden becomes cool again. I don't know why it is, but it happens.

Looking back at the Autopsy days, what were some of the high and low points?

Reifert The high points were pretty much everything. There were definitely some crappy moments but everything that we did we did because we believed in it. We didn't do anything that makes us look back and say, oh man, that's no good. Getting our first album out was exciting as well as going to Europe a couple of times. Low points started to happen towards the very end when it just wasn't fun anymore. That was when we decided to break up the band and it wasn't even a low point from an outsider's view. It just got to the point where we just went, man, this is starting suck.
Coralles Whatever the low points were, they seem to fade with time. I suppose low turn outs, Nebraska Ticks, long plane flights, sleeping in vans and eating like shit were low points… oh yea, it's all coming back to me now. The high points: our first European tour with Bolt Thrower, Pestilence and Morgoth, the satisfaction of knowing our shit kicked ass, drinkin', smokin' and Zombie pokin'!

What can you recall from being in the Bay Area underground scene during those days?

Reifert There were some good bands, like Possessed, but most of them weren't good. We stuck out like sore thumbs because we wanted to go full-on with the horror theme and not sing about being in the pit of banging your head. [laughs] We just wanted to be brutal and talk about the gore all the way unapologetically. You can say we weren't popular around here [laughs].
Coralles We really didn't fit in with the thrash and the hardcore scene at the time but we just kept plodding along doing our own thing. As long as we thought it was crushing, we were happy.

So Chris, I assume that when you met Chuck [Schuldiner] for the first time, you were probably really stoked to meet someone like-minded.

Reifert Oh yeah! Absolutely. I had been collecting the Death demos already and I totally loved them. I never thought I would ever be in the band! I was totally a fan. When I found out he was out here looking for musicians, I was just like, great. Then I met him and it worked out pretty well.

How was it like working with him?

Reifert It was great. I can't really say anything bad, you know? I had a whole lot of fun. I don't know what other people thought because there were people who didn't get along with him much, but I always did and had fun. Maybe it was because it was way before the real, real pressure with the band. We were pretty young and innocent at the time of the first album [Scream Bloody Gore] and then things got way bigger later, of course. Maybe there were personality differences but I've always had lots of fun and we got along great.

Did you guys keep in touch when you went your separate ways?

Reifert Yeah we did here and there. I was passing by his way one time and I stayed over his place for a couple of days and we called each other from time to time. There were gaps where we didn't speak to each other for years at a time but it wasn't because we didn't want to or hated each other. We were just out doing our thing. I talked to him for a few minutes shortly before he passed away, which was nice. I didn't know it was getting near the end. It was cool just to talk with him. But yeah, we were always cool.

Finally, what's in store for Abscess and Autopsy in the future?
Reifert Well, the Abscess album is just about to come out and we're gonna see how that does and basing our decisions on that, you know, let it circulate a little bit. For Autopsy, we got Maryland Deathfest coming up and we'll just take it from there. We got plenty to keep busy with.
Coralles That's the joy of life: you just don't know. Whether it's Autopsy, Abscess, Eat My Fuk, Mirror Snake, The Ravenous, Doomed or whatever's next, I can guarantee you it will be Maximum Death n' Roll!

Psychedelic black metal outfit NACHTMYSTIUM have announced that their anticipated new full-length album, Addicts: Black Meddle Pt. II, is set for a June 8th release through Century Media. The disc was recorded once again with Sanford Parker (Minsk) at Volume Studios. They have enlisted the talents of Wrest (Leviathan, Lurker of Chalice, Twilight) to record all drum tracks as well as Will Lindsay (Wolves in the Throne Room, Middian) on bass.

NACHTMYSTIUM mastermind Blake Judd comments: "Our love for post rock and industrial (a la Ministry, Killing Joke, etc) is even more present this time around. We feel that we made a record that will continue to push extreme music into uncharted territories. We hope to see you all soon."

There will also be a limited edition, double gatefold vinyl featuring the bonus track "Macrocosmic" and an iTunes exclusive bonus track featuring "Every Last Drop" remixed by James Plotkin (Khanate, Phantomsmasher). Artwork was done by Jimmy Hubbard and Seldon Hunt and the album features guest vocals by Bruce Lamont (Yakuza) and guitar solos by Russ Strahan (Pentagram) and Matt Johnson (Pharoh).

The band kicked off their 2010 touring cycle by joining up with German thrash legends Kreator and will be touring the U.S. with EyeHateGod this June. Check http://www.myspace.com/nachtmystium for tour dates and information.

Legendary Norwegian group DARKTHRONE released their latest studio album, Circle the Wagons, today in the US through Peaceville Records. The album, which is also on limited edition vinyl, can be purchased from the Peaceville store and on iTunes. A mini-site, containing exclusive audio samples, album info and more can be viewed here.

DARKTHRONE drummer/lyricist Fenriz comments: "The new metal decade starts with our album. It is a message to the invaders of our metal domain to circle their wagons! With our own brand of heavy metal/speed metal-punk we are a constant ambush on the modern overground metal traitors. Join us in our fight against instant gratification, and let's see who stands when the smoke clears."

Circle the Wagons Tracklisting:
Side A ???
1. Those Treasures Will Never Befall You ???
2. Running for Borders ???
3. I am the Graves of the 80s ???
4. Stylized Corpse

Side B??
5. Circle the Wagons??
6. Black Mountain Totem??
7. I am the Working Class??
8. Eyes Burst at Dawn??
9. Bränn Inte Slottet

For more on DARKTHRONE, visit their official MySpace.

Finnish prog/death metal supergroup BARREN EARTH released their debut full-length record, Curse of the Red River, in the US today via Peaceville Records. The album can be purchased through the Peaceville store and iTunes. Fans can stream the record in its entirety this week on AOL.

Curse of the Red River was recorded at Seawolf Studios in Helsinki (Ghost Brigade) during the summer of 2009 with mixing carried out by the prolific Dan Swanö at Unisound in Sweden (Katatonia, Opeth, etc). Swano states, "One of the best albums I have ever had the privilege to mix. The album is THAT good!"

With a wealth of experience from internationally renowned acts, featuring former members of Finnish metallers Amorphis to current members of Swallow the Sun, Moonsorrow and Kreator, BARREN EARTH presents progressive and folk textured death/doom metal of the highest order. Curse of the Red River combines the best elements of metal, prog, and more obscure psychedelic rock.

For more info on BARREN EARTH, head over to the band's MySpace and official website.