ARKAEA - the new band featuring FEAR FACTORY members Christian Olde Wolbers (guitar) and Raymond Herrera (drums) – have launched the brand-new track 'Awakening' at their MySpace page.

As previously reported, the band has premiered their first video, for 'Locust', from their debut album Years Of Darkness. Check it out below.

“'Locust was our first pick for a music video and as the opening track for the album because it really sets the tempo of the album,” explains Raymond Herrera, Arkaea drummer.

“It is a strong track that shows a great introduction to what Arkaea is all about. We knew that we needed to come out swinging and 'Locust' definitely offers that punch.”

Century Media Records has announced the European release of ARKAEA’s debut album, Years In The Darkness, in July 2009 under exclusive license from E1 Entertainment.

Featuring one of metal's hungriest young singers, Jon Howard from THREAT SIGNAL, as well as gold-selling FEAR FACTORY guitarist/bassist Christian Olde Wolbers and drummer Raymond Herrera plus Threat Signal bassist Pat Kavanagh, Arkaea are destined to unleash a whirlwind of modern metallic fury upon the masses.

Years In The Darkness was produced by Christian Olde Wolbers and Arkaea, mixed by legendary producer Terry Date (DEFTONES, SLIPKNOT, WHITE ZOMBIE, SOUNDGARDEN, PANTERA) and mastered by Ted Jensen of Sterling Sound, who also mastered Fear Factory’ s gold album Obsolete.

On it's new cooperation with Century Media Records, Raymond Herrera states: “After being asked by so many European fans about the release of the Arkaea record, it is a great pleasure to announce the allegiance between Arkaea and Century Media for the European market. Century Media has a great roster and strong workforce and it is refreshing to see a record label as excited about our album as we are.”

In addition to that, vocalist Jon Howard already describes what you can expect of Years In The Darkness: “Chris and Ray have been writing together for many years, so the music does have a lot of Fear Factory elements. However, we’ve been open to trying different things. It basically fuses what I have been doing vocally in Threat Signal with driving Fear Factory rhythms, along with some of our own experimentation. The idea behind the project is to be heavy, but maintain melody at the same time. We have crazy riffs, but some grooving choruses as well. It’s a great mix.”

The tracklisting for Years In The Darkness is as follows: 'Locust', 'Beneath The Shades Of Grey', 'Years In The Darkness', 'Gone Tomorrow', 'Awakening', 'Black Ocean', 'Break The Silence', 'Lucid Dreams', 'My Redemption', 'War Within', 'The World As One', 'Rise Today', 'Away From The Sun', 'Blackened Sky' (European bonus track).

The devastating track 'Locust' can be found at this location.

Years In The Darkness will be released in Europe on the following dates:

Germany / Austria / Switzerland / Benelux / Italy: Friday, July 17th

UK / France / Greece / Denmark / Norway / Rest of Europe: Monday, July 20th

Spain / Portugal: Tuesday, July 21st

Sweden / Finland / Hungary: Wednesday, July 22nd