Jersey-based aggressive hard rock outfit RETURN TO EARTH, featuring the talents of Ron Scalzo, Brett Aveni, and Chris Pennie (COHEED & CAMBRIA, ex-THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN), have announced the release date of their sophomore release, titled Automata, which will be hitting streets this summer on August 17th.

Drums and vocals for Automata were tracked in Dover, NJ at Backroom Studios where drummer Chris Pennie regularly rehearses. Guitar tracks along with additional production were recorded in guitarist Brett's basement, which the band so affectionately refers to as "The Boiler Room" as the space acts as both a recording studio and housing for Brett's boiler.

Mixing for Automata was handled by GUNS N' ROSES' Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal who also happened to mix RTE's first album Captains of Industry and polished up what turned out to be quite an ambitious multi-track recording. Automata was self produced by Chris and Brett under their new production company, Fight Mannequins.

Brett comments: "We wanted complete control over the proceedings, as we felt that only we knew what was best to get the songs across."

Vocalist Ron Scalzo adds: "After going about the recording process modestly for our first album, Captains of Industry, we decided to up the ante for Automata - better studios and mics, more tracks, more gear - we wanted to create a heavier, denser sound with more dynamics this time around. Heavier and denser can be a nightmare without the proper mix, and our old friend Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal once again made magic with more tracks than most sane people would dare to blend together to make everything sound cohesive. With file management not necessarily being our 'strong suit', Mr. Thal once again outdid himself trying to piece all the madness together."

In honor of the upcoming release of Automata, RTE has posted the brand new track 'You Will Be Replaced' on their MySpace page. Guitarist Brett Aveni recently posted a blog explaining the concepts behind each track on Automata, which is more a group of themes than a running story line that one would find with a concept album.

"('You Will Be Replaced' is) about the tenuous nature of humanity - how easily replaceable we are, as workers, as partners - coming to the forefront; and our recognition and ultimate fight for survival against the technology that threatens to take over, against machine replacing mankind."

Check out the track 'You Will Be Replaced' here and be sure to leave your comments on the band's wall. To read about the rest of the tracks on Automata, head over to Bald Freak Music's blog here.

Check out two video teaser clips for Automata below and stay tuned for more info including track listing and cover art to be released in the coming weeks.

Automata is the follow-up to the band's 2007 debut Captains of Industry and will be available in stores and online on August 17, 2010 (US and Canada).

Return To Earth is:

Ron Scalzo - Vocals

Brett Aveni - Guitars

Chris Pennie - Drums