Chicago metal legends TROUBLE return with their first album since Simple Mind Condition, released in 2007. The album, entitled The Distortion Field, features 13 tracks and will be released by FRW Records in North America on July 16th, and in Europe on July 26th.

Metal Kaoz caught up with the band's singer, Kyle Thomas, and guitarist Rick Wartell, in order to get as much info as possible about the making of this album and Trouble's touring plans, among other things. An excerpt from the interview follows:

Q: Since there is a new Trouble album coming out this July, The Distortion Field, can you give us an idea how it sounds like? If you were to compare it with previous Trouble albums, what would your choices be?

Kyle: "As a HUGE Trouble fan, I can say that I truly believe this is the best batch of songs since the first Def American album they recorded with Rick Rubin. There is a nice combination of Trouble's past styles on The Distortion Field, added to a current approach. Fast paced, strong songs, slow, doomy songs, and some good grooves as well. There are even mellow moments and cool intros. I would say we have an album here that spans the entire career as far as style goes, with even some new territory being entered. I think most Trouble fans will be pleased."

Q: Simple Mind Condition was released via Escapi Music and The Distortion Field is going to be released via FRW Music; is this an one-album record deal? In other words, do you have a mindset for more Trouble albums in a more frequent pace?

Rick: "We have not signed a multiple deal with anyone at this point. I can honestly say that we have not planned past this record as of yet, in terms of writing. I wanted this to be the best recording we could make so that if it were to be our last, we could walk away with our heads up and know we left it all in the last recording. We'll just have to see how it goes."

Read the full interview at this location.

The Distortion Field makes history in the Trouble camp through the band's acquisition of a new lead vocalist, Kyle Thomas of EXORDER and FLOODGATE fame.

Commenting on new vocalist Thomas, Trouble founder and guitarist Rick Wartell says: "Kyle is one of the most impressive singers I've ever heard, and by far the most extraodinary singer I've ever had the pleasure of working with. He's got incredible range, incredible power, and an incredible knowledge of Trouble, as he's been a fan for 20-something years. We've known him forever, and he innately understands what Trouble is about. He's like the perfect guy to come in and do this job. It's awesome."

Veteran Music Producer Bill Metoyer is once again lending his expertise, having previously worked with the band on The Skull and Trouble, both Metal Blade releases.

"Musically, I think this album is a true Trouble record.", states Wartell. "In the early days, we used to just write what we felt and didn't really care about what anyone said. We just wrote heavy riffs and played our music our way. But outside influences can kind of get a hold of you and start telling you what to do. When we were writing this album, the thinking was, we don't care what anybody thinks. We're going to write what we write. So this is basically a return to our roots, while combining some reflections of our band's long history as well. With the two different music writers, Bruce and myself, we have a slight variation in our writing; Bruce has more of a '70s groove to his writing, and I'm more the old school doomy metal thing. And when you put it together, you get Trouble."

The Distortion Field tracklisting:

'Sink Or Swim'

'Paranoid Conspiracy'

'Glass Of Lies'

'The Grey Chill Of Autumn'

'When The Sky Comes Down'

'Butterflies'

'Your Reflections'

'Have I Told You'

'The Apple From The Snake'

'Hunters Of Doom'

'Sucker'

'The Broken Have Spoken'

Trouble lineup:

Kyle Thomas - vocals

Rick Wartell - guitar

Bruce Franklin - guitars

Shane Pasqualla - bass

Mark "Marko" Lira - drums

More on Trouble at their official here or Facebook page.