"METAL" MIKE CHLASCIAK (HALFORD, PAINMUSEUM) has tapped Mike LePond of progressive metallers SYMPHONY X as the bass player for his up-coming solo album, The Metalworker.

“I am really excited to have once again being able to work with Mike. Mike’s ability as a musician and bassist are hard to match. He came in unbelievably well prepared and just tore it up as we all expect of him to. It was amazing to see how quickly he works in the studio. I would like to thank Mike for his fantastic work! If you are in need for no apologies screaming heavy metal we all love, then we have the record for you. I’m really looking forward to sharing this with everyone”, commented Mike.

Drummer Kevin Talley (DAATH, SIX FEET UNDER, CHIMAIRA, HATE ETERNAL, DYING FETUS) further commented on his involvement on the record: "As a full-time studio drummer, it is sometimes overwhelming to constantly track ultra-technical brutal death metal songs. But, while tracking The Metalworker album for Metal Mike, it reminds me why I got into metal in the first place… straight-forward brutal catchy riffs without any of the BS associated with most metal bands today. This is the 'meat and potatoes' of metal, if you will. It's not one of those 'Can I have a side salad, please?' type of bands. The album plows with killer riffage, ragin' leads, and ultra-sick double bass for days."

The Metalworker is currently being mixed at Dead Room Recording Studio, San Antonio, Texas with engineer Orlando Villasenor. The album additionally features vocal siren Carlos Zema (OUTWORLD).

Several song titles include 'On Leather Wings', 'Don’t Shoot The Crown' and 'Hell No'.

"Metal" Mike's new Metal For Life column, titled Bach Off: Using a Metal Approach With Classical-Style Themes, will be available in the February issue of Guitar World Magazine.

According t oa press release the article: “shows you how to utilize a metal approach when playing classical-style themes. Classical music - being used as an umbrella term to cover the classical, romantic and baroque periods - has been a major influence on heavy metal, particularly after the arrival of the Neoclassical Shred movement in the '80s.”

Mike breaks down several techniques and sequences that are often utilized in this particular style originally popularized by RACER X, TONY MACALPINE and YNGWIE MALMSTEEN to name just a few.

Watch a video teaser for the feature below: