Tampa-based death metal legends OBITUARY have issued the following update:

"We had 4 great shows in Mexico with SADUS and really want to thank all our fans for coming out and supporting us and our crew guys for their hard work! This trip took us through 4 cities and saw the reunion S.O.S. show - SEPULTURA - Obituay - Sadus! What a blast!!!

4 shows in 4 cities in 4 days was not exactly easy, but it was a lot of fun!

The good news! The studio has been going great and all the music is just about done being tracked. This is some really heavy material and I can't wait to get this released! When we get back from Australia we will start the final mix with Mark Prator at RedRoom Recorders!

The bad news! Anyone that keeps up with this wedsite or our message board knows we usually keep you up to date with what is going on. We have been usually quite about Allen and his absence from these last set of shows. Well, Allen has gotten himself into trouble again and we have been waiting for him to make a statement himself:

"To my friends and fans,

I have gotten into trouble that can only be resolved by my incarceration. I will do this with thoughts of all of you. Soon I will be free again and come back stronger and better. My release is scheduled for February, 2008. I will not let this problem kill my spirit and will use it to sharpen my creativity. Hope to see all of you next year. Allen West."

This sucks and there is not much we can do about it but, we will continue to move on and do what Obituary does! We have a lot planned for this new album with Candlelight and look forward to the September release of our new CD! Tomorrow we are off to Australia for our first trip down under and we can't wait to see our Australian fans!!!!!

After Australia we head to South America for 5 shows! Click here for the full tour schedule."

More photos can be found here.