STONE SOUR guitarist Josh Rand is featured in a new interview with Loudtrax.com to discuss the band's new album, Audio Secrecy. An excerpt is available below.

LoudTrax.com: Singer Corey Taylor had issued a statement that said this album would be darker and more melodic than the previous albums. Now that the album is set in stone, does that statement hold true?

Josh Rand: I think it’s more melodic than the other records. I mean Come What(ever) May lyrically is pretty dark. When he made that statement, it was at the beginning of the writing process . The album evolved a little bit since then. I don’t think it’s as dark as Come What(ever) May, but I would agree that it’s more melodic than the previous two albums."

LoudTrax.com: You and Jim (Root) recorded at the same time?

Josh Rand: "We tracked at the same time. Nick Raskulinecz (producer) had mentioned that he always wanted to do that. He figured if he had to do it with a tandem guitar duo it would have to be us. I really liked it because instead of doing it by yourself and lining up to a click, it kind of gave it that live vibe. So you’re trying to capture a moment instead of making it perfect. We were up for the challenge of the two of us playing all the rhythms at the same time. Not many bands’ two guitar players can do that."

LoudTrax.com: You obviously over dubbed the solos.

Josh Rand: "We came back in to do the solos at the end. The basic rhythm tracks are the two of us together and it kind of put pressure on each one of us. You gotta think if one of us fucked up than it kind of fucked the other guy too! The goal was to get one perfect pass, and it happened on a few songs where we nailed it from beginning to end! One of my favorite things to say about Stone Sour is on the first record, it’s recorded live! All four of us - drums, bass and both guitarists in one big room, all going to tape at the same time."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

As they gear up for the September 7th release of Audio Secrecy, Stone Sour have announced a special promotion with Rock, Metal, Punk downloads and merchandise site, LoudTrax.com.

Stone Sour, along with Roadrunner Records, are offering a beautiful Fender Stratocaster Guitar, autographed by the entire band. Fans can enter the contest starting September 7 exclusively at LoudTrax.com.

The odds of winning the guitar are multiplied five times for all fans who purchase the album download on LoudTrax.com. The draw will take place on September 22nd.

Visit the Stone Sour artist page on LoudTrax.com right now as the first two singles from Audio Secrecy - 'Say You'll Haunt Me' and 'Mission Statement' - are now available.

Stone Sour recently issued the following update:

"Audio Secrecy is available now for pre-order in three different versions. You can now reserve your copy of the Limited Edition 2 LP Version of Audio Secrecy. The Limited Edition comes with the double LP in gatefold packaging and a special signed album cover lithograph that you can't get anywhere else. In addition to that hidden throughout 30 copies of the Limited Edition of Audio Secrecy are golden tickets that will give access to a special meet and greet with Stone Sour! You can pre-order the Limited Edition double LP version right here .

You can also pre-order the Special Edition of Audio Secrecy which includes 3 bonus tracks and a DVD featuring a 45 minute in studio documentary about the making of Audio Secrecy and video of three songs from Stone Sour's performance at Download this year. Click here to pre-order the Audio Secrecy Special Edition.

The standard version of Audio Secrecy is also available for pre-order from Roadrunner.

No matter which version of the album you pick up it will include a free trial membership in Stone Sour's Dead Generation fan club which will be launching soon!"

Audio Secrecy tracklisting:

'Audio Secrecy'

'Mission Statement'

'Digital (Did You Tell)'

'Say You’ll Haunt Me'

'Dying'

'Let's Be Honest'

'Unfinished'

'Hesitate'

'Nylon 6/6'

'Miracles'

'Pieces'

'The Bitter End'

'Imperfect'

'Threadbare'

'Hate Not Gone' (Bonus Track)

'Anna' (Bonus Track)

'Home Again' (Bonus Track)

Audio Secrecy is available September 7th and if you pre-order the Special Edition from iTunes you will get the exclusive track 'Saturday Morning'. Go to this location for details.

Stone Sour performed at Webster Hall in NYC on Monday night (August 30th) in celebration of the upcoming release of Audio Secrecy.

The performance was streamed live via Ustream, and can now be seen below: