New York based extreme metal pioneers, SUFFOCATION, recently checked in from the studio to offer an update on the progress of their new album Blood Oath:

“We've just completed another shift at Full Force Studios (6pm - 2am, typical shift). As for a progress report - we've completed all the drum tracking and rhythm and bass guitars as of this past Sunday. What we'll have left to do starting today is record guitar solos and getting Frank (Mullen) in there to lay down the vocals. We're looking to wrap it up next week and start rehearsing a set for the up coming Blood Apocalypse Tour soon after that. All in all, we can honestly say this record is SLAMMIN’ HEAVY and we got some nice little twists for ya' too. We look forward to crushing some stages for you all real fucking soon!

Also, videographer Jon Bickford has been in the studio with us shooting the final segments (‘Blood Oath’ studio sessions and interviews) to be included in the forth coming Suffocation DVD!”

Blood Oath is tentatively scheduled for an early summer release in Europe and North America via Nuclear Blast Records.

Suffocation recently announce dates for their upcoming headlining run dubbed the Blood Apocalyspse tour. Support will come from of the best names in extreme metal today including WHITECHAPEL, BENEATH THE MASSACRE, DECREPIT BIRTH, VEIL OF MAYA, and PSYCROPTIC. Confirmed dates are as follows:

March (with Whitechapel, Beneath The Massacre, Decrepit Birth, Veil Of Maya

14 - Jaxx – Springfield, VA
15 - The Norva - Norfolk, VA
16 - The Soapbox – Wilmington, NC
17 - Volume 11 – Raleigh, NC
18 - Matthew’s Bar & Grill – Birmingham, AL
20 - Grant Street Hall – Lafayette, LA
21 - Ridglea Theatre – Ft. Worth, TX (with CARCASS, SUICIDE SILENCE)
22 - House of Rock – Corpus Christi, TX
23 - The Zoo – Amarillo, TX
24 - Chic’s Bar and Billiards – El Paso, TX
26 - The Crossing – Palmdale, CA
27 - The Marquee Theater – Phoenix, AZ (Arizona Metal Fest)

March (with Whitechapel, Decrepit Birth, Veil Of Maya, Psycroptic)

28 - The Grove – Anaheim, CA (California Metal Fest)
29 - The Boardwalk – Sacramento, CA
30 - Modesto Virtual – Modesto, CA
31 - House of Blues – Las Vegas, NV

April (with Whitechapel, Decrepit Birth, Veil Of Maya, Psycroptic

1 - Club Sound – Salt Lake City, UT
2 - The Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO
3 - Tequila Jungle – Lubbock, TX
4 - Red Seven – Austin, TX
5 - El Cine Rey Theatre – McAllen, TX
6 - Java Jazz – Houston, TX
7 - The Village – Little Rock, AR
8 - The Muse – Nashville, TN
9 - The Valarium – Knoxville, TN (with CHIMAIRA)
10 - Emerson Theatre – Indianapolis, IN
11 - The Loft – Madison, WI
12 - The Pearl Room – Mokena, IL
14 - Crazy Donkey – Long Island, NY
15 - Maverick’s – Ottawa, ON
16 - Le Medley – Montreal, QC (with THE HAUNTED, NACHTMYSTIUM, INTRONAUT)
17 - The Palladium – Worcester, MA (New England Metal Fest)
18 - Crocodile Rock Café – Allentown, PA