US metallers WHILE HEAVEN WEPT have issued the following update from Tom Phillips (guitar, keyboards, vocals):

"Where do I even begin? Over the last couple weeks we've received such an incredible outpouring of positive feedback regarding Vast Oceans Lachrymose - from our colleagues, the media, and yourselves... more so than anything we could've ever expected... thank you all for expressing your opinions so passionately and your ongoing support - this album is as much yours as it is ours.

I really struggle to digest all of this and I don't even know if I believe myself that "VOL" is worthy of such generous praise... I am completely humbled by all of this... all I can say is that all of the musicians that contributed to the realization of this album did such an amazing job - it's truly an honor for me to collaborate with them. And once again, thank all of YOU so much for your extremely kind words and support of WHW, it means so much to me.

Some surprising early review scores have come in, prior to the actual release of the album that are truly shocking for everyone in the WHW family. Unbelievable really.

Now, the other purpose of this blog entry is to pass on the latest news, thus without further ado:

Cruz Del Sur Music has already shipped CDs to all of our distributors so "VOL" will be available through your local dealers on the respective release dates for certain (November 3rd - US, November 6th - EU). Additionally, all pre-ordered CDs and combination packs are now shipping as well. There's still a few days left to take advantage of the discounted pre-order specials via Cruz Del Sur, and I must say, the new shirts have turned out stellar!

The test pressings for the LP arrived at Maniacal Records this week, and once we have confirmed all is well, we'll give the manufacturing plant the "green light" to follow through with production. If everything sounds and looks the way it was intended, the limited edition LP's will be in stock by the end of November. If you were holding out for the LP version as opposed the CD, I feel that I should inform you at least 1/3 of the pressing is already sold, so if you haven't contacted Maniacal Records already to reserve a copy, I'd recommend doing so sooner than later!

I also want to announce a special download-only release that will be made available through iTunes, Rhapsody (etc.) entitled The Vast Oceans Lachrymose Singles EP, consisting of mp3's similar to the samples I've uploaded here on MySpace (but of higher fidelity).

The primary motivation behind this release is to insure that we address the demand for every possible format, without compromising the listening experience in any capacity; I've personally edited the songs from the album so that they may stand alone, with (hopefully) tasteful fades and so forth. This will make it possible for everyone to download individual tracks at the standard price, if this happens to be your preference, and alternatively it will be possible to download the entire release as well.

The complete album will also be made available for download in an "album only" form, so as to preserve the original vision, flow, and integrity of Vast Oceans Lachrymose - which I still recommend, as this is how it was meant to be heard (with all of the segues and transitions intact).

Both releases are in the process of being encoded and we will post another press release as soon as we have confirmed they're available for purchase.

There are many other "irons in the fire" related to new merch, past releases, and additional concerts that we'll let you know about as decisions are made/details confirmed. In the meantime, thank you all once again for your incredible support - we're very much looking forward to seeing you at Hammer Of Doom III and beyond!"

More on the band, including their live schedule, at this location.