Southern Lord Recordings has announced that influential, visionary metal act TODAY IS THE DAY has joined with the label's roster for the release of its tenth studio album, "Animal Mother", due later this year. Earlier this year, TODAY IS THE DAY's newest lineup was announced, as the foundation of the then-unnamed album was taking shape. Guitarist/vocalist Steve Austin welcomed Sean Conkling (REGRESSION, BURN YOUR HALO, SPRAWL) on bass as well as returning member Jeff Lohrber (ENABLER, ex-HARLOTS), Lohrber having previously handled touring drum duties for TODAY IS THE DAY many times in the past. Conkling and Lohrber tracked most of their parts in December and January at the founding frontman's own recording and mastering studio in Maine. Since then, Austin has been painstakingly layering guitars, vocals and more, and the final sessions for TODAY IS THE DAY's tenth studio full-length will take place later in June. "Sometimes things just dial-in and align perfectly," Steve Austin stated about signing with Southern Lord for the release of "Animal Mother". "Myself and TODAY IS THE DAY are extremely excited about working with Southern Lord Records and Greg Anderson. To me they have the right idea about the kind of music they release; heavy, real, experimental, integrity-driven music is what the label represents to me. TODAY IS THE DAY's 'Animal Mother' LP on Southern Lord in 2014... I don't think I could ask for anything more! Added Southern Lord owner Greg Anderson on the union: "Southern Lord is deeply honored to be working with TODAY IS THE DAY. Steve Austin has been a long time force in the underground and we're stoked to now be a small part of the TODAY IS THE DAY legacy." Regarding the album title, Austin offers: "'Animal Mother' means the embodiment of the prophetic gift of the shaman; it is the shaman's visionary power, which is able to penetrate the past and future." Earlier this year, the frontman warned the public that the album would be "a fifteen-song rampage of bloody carnage fueled by hate, love and vile, raw emotion," continuing, "I feel it is my finest work to this date. It is the most complex and heavy record we have ever made. This is real no bullshit Pro Tools crap; just pure violent energy and real band songwriting in the middle of the woods in Maine. It lies somewhere between 'Temple Of The Morning Star' and 'In The Eyes of God', and Jeff's playing is beyond incredible. I was determined to push the limits in complexity, musicianship, and creativity as far as we could and I feel we have put together a record that narrates the horror and pain that we have been living through." For two and a half decades, TODAY IS THE DAY has woven Steve Austin's prophetic observations and noise-soaked chaos through a psychedelic, unique and unmatched battery of heavy styles. The outfit has spawned an incredible discography, forging its way to the forefront of Amphetamine Reptile, Relapse, Blackmarket Activities and many others. Steve Austin has produced nearly all of TODAY IS THE DAY's releases, as well as groundbreaking albums for LAMB OF GOD, CONVERGE and DEADGUY, among many others. Austin is featured in the "Color Of Noise" documentary about Amphetamine Reptile Records, and is currently scoring several independent films.
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