BW&BK; has received the following:

MELDRUM drummer Gene Hoglan has announced the completion of the recording the band's new album, entitled Lifer, consisting of ten tracks for 2009 release.

Lifer stands as a proud tribute to founder, Michelle Meldrum, who passed away earlier this year. The album contains material written by both Meldrum and Hoglan, with new members bassist Laura Christine and vocalist Michele Madden.

Lifer is sonically different in direction than anything previously released by the band. With new life, and new talent, this album has carried the talents these four have to a higher level.

"Let me say this: Never have I obsessed over the recording of any album I've been involved in as I have with Meldrum's latest,” explains Hoglan. “The tragic circumstances that took Michelle from us, also provided us with a laser-sharp focus to record the most amazing album we could. Michele Madden, Laura Christine, and hell, even Chicken, our engineer, put forth performances of a lifetime, with each member's full love and respect going into every nuance of every song. Not only to honor Michelle, but to also lay down some badass music, which was ultimately what she stood for…what Meldrum stands for. I think the songs speak for themselves, and I, for one, have never been prouder to be a part of a family, let alone a project such as this. Metal with balls. Crank it up, indeed.”

Meldrum plans to unveil previews from their studio sessions on their MySpace site in coming weeks, with news on the new release, music videos and tours forthcoming.