New York hardcore veterans MADBALL have finished recording their new album, "For The Cause". Helming the sessions for the follow-up to 2014's "Hardcore Lives" was RANCID's Tim Armstrong, a longtime friend of MADBALL singer Freddy Cricien. The new disc is being mixed and mastered by Danish producer Tue Madsen, who has previously worked with MESHUGGAH, THE HAUNTED and SICK OF IT ALL, among others. Former MADBALL guitarist Matt Henderson laid down the guitar tracks in the studio but will not join the group on tour. Cricien said: "Tim and us go way back. He's an old friend and super-talented guy... across the board! A legend in his own right. He invited us to come record with him and it all fell into place very organically. He's respected our band from day one and was excited to be a part of this. We're honored to have him on board." Bass player Hoya Roc added: "We got a real good album. It feels like the movie 'Pulp Fiction'. We've got every style of hardcore in there. It feels like we've got something special!" "For The Cause" features a guest appearance on one track by rapper, actor and BODY COUNT frontman Ice-T. Commented Ice-T: "It's an honor to record with the legendary MADBALL. BODY COUNT draws its closest similarities to New York hardcore. This is a natural." Added Cricien: "It's truly an honor to have Ice-T on our record! I grew up on his music from his early hip-hop stuff till now. He's an iconic figure but also a 'class act'; you don't always get both at once. Ice has a great respect for NYHC and MADBALL, means the world. This was meant to happen.... Real recognizes real." The original version of the "For The Cause" title track was released last September via the "Family Biz" split seven-inch single, which saw the Cricien-fronted outfit joining forces with Pennsylvania's blue-collar-core heroes WISDOM IN CHAINS. Speaking on the song, Cricien said: "It's about staying the course and fighting for what you love and are passionate about. It's a theme that you'll hear a lot throughout our next album. Utilizing negativity and the obstacles you face as inspiration. 'Say I can't, say I won't again... Give me the fuel that I need to ascend!'" Last October, MADBALL parted ways with longtime guitarist Brian "Mitts" Daniels. The New York outfit called the split "a very hard and heartbreaking decision for all involved."
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