Armory Working On New Album "Empyrean Realms"

Massachusetts based metal act Armory has issued the following update about working on a new album and streaming new cover songs online via the band's MySpace page:

"It is about time that we let people know just what the heck we’ve been doing for the past couple of years. No, we have not been simply sitting on our arses! We have been working tirelessly on our second album, to be entitled ‘Empyrean Realms’. Actually, the seeds for this album took root as early as 2003. The music developed gradually in depth and breadth amidst the re-recording of our debut, ‘The Dawn Of Enlightenment’ in the mid 2000s. By spring 2008, virtually all of the music was composed for the nine songs that will become our follow-up album. Right now we are in the studio, completely immersed in the recording process. In fact, the drums and guitars are already completely tracked! On our myspace profile page, we have posted a compilation video of the drum and guitar tracking to give fans a sneak preview of what this album has in store. Please comment and let us know what you think! We are very excited about this album and look forward to releasing it to the metal community. The arduous work composing and endless hours in the studio are paying off, as musically everything is coming together better than we could have imagined. ‘Empyrean Realms’ will certainly be a huge step forward for the band.

"Compared to our critically acclaimed debut album, ‘The Dawn Of Enlightenment’, ‘Empyrean Realms’ has more dynamic composing and arranging, with more colorful melodies, head-banging riffs, and progressive elements. Every instrument was painstakingly developed so that each plays a vital role at any given moment in the album. The drums are more interesting and dexterous, with virtually every drum beat and fill being purposefully composed. The rhythm guitars are dominated by riffs and hooks and always able to stand on their own. The guitar harmonies and solos careen through with blistering precision. The bass comes into its own and adds plenty of character. The keyboards embrace the songs with an astral atmosphere. The vocals provide emotion and enrich the songs with wholesome melodies in savory style. The lyrics are also more articulate, centering on the themes of metaphysics, cosmology, and the power of human will. Cover artwork has been chosen which will enhance the cosmic scope of the album. It will be displayed at a later time when things are finalized. ‘Empyrean Realms’ will be engineered by the band themselves and take place at Mystic Star Studio in ....Townsend.., ..Massachusetts...., the same home-based recording studio where our debut was recorded. As always with Armory, the highest order of professionalism is being applied to the composing, recording, and producing of this album. ‘Empyrean Realms’ is scheduled to be released sometime in the second half of 2010. However, because an uncompromising attitude is not governed by the restrictions of time, it is going to take as long as it takes to get it done right. There is still plenty more to do so remember that Rome was not built in a day!

"‘Empyrean Realms’ is scheduled to start a revolution in 2010 so prepare for a landmark in true heavy metal! Fans of bands such as Angra, Lost Horizon, Heavenly, and Pagan’s Mind will find much to enjoy. If you like melodic yet complex songs, soaring vocals, guitar riffs, blazing solos, technical drums, flavorful key changes, and a wide range of tempos, then ‘Empyrean Realms’ will be right up your alley!

"We will appear on two upcoming official tribute albums, due early 2010. Our cover of the song ‘Where The Rain Grows’ will be featured on ‘HelloRay - A Tribute To HELLOWEEN & GAMMA RAY’, to be released through Epicus Records. Also, our cover of the song ‘Love Is Pain’ will be featured on ‘By The Gods: A Noble Tribute To VIRGIN STEELE’ to be released through Virgin Steele’s label and overseen by David Defeis himself. Both songs have just been uploaded to our myspace page. When it becomes available, we will have info on where and how to buy these tribute albums.

"In addition, we have simultaneously been recording a cover of the song ‘Thundersteel’ by Riot and the battle theme music from the Super Nintendo game Final Fantasy Mystic Quest. These two covers are being recorded entirely for fun and will likely be put up on youtube and/or our myspace page for the public’s enjoyment at around the same time that ‘Empyrean Realms’ is released.

"We have finally gotten around to having a professional photo shoot with the band. These new pics will soon be displayed on our official site and myspace page as well as on our second album ‘Empyrean Realms’, and for other promotional use. Hope you enjoy!"