British extreme metal act IMPERIAL VENGEANCE have entered the studio to begin recording their second album, due for release later this year via Transcend Records.

The album promises to be a nightmarish tapestry of opiate Victoriana and Kafkaesque atmospheres. Ms. Lori Lewis, the acclaimed soprano with THERION / AESMA DAEVA joined the band in the studio this weekend for the recording of The Black Heart Of Empire; bringing her voice to a double slice of IV intrigue - 'The Devil In The Detail' and 'Veiled Threats Over Cocktails'.

The band had the following to say: “Having someone that comes primarily from a classical background, but additionally works in the metal industry, rather than it being the other way around, was the priority. Both of the new tracks are specifically rooted in specific styles of singing and given Lori’s extensive history with such entities as Minnesota Orchestra, The St Paul Chamber Orchestra, and VocalEssence, she understands the nuances and intricacies involved. It was amazing, she nailed the parts first time in virtually every take.”

Preceding this album release, Imperial Vengeance are set to unleash a special edition DVD of director’s cut videos and extensive exclusive extras on July 12th.

This special edition disc features promo videos for the album track, ‘6th Airborne Division’, shot at the 400 Company studios in London and their MADNESS cover, ’Night Boat To Cairo’, plus tons of special features including audio commentaries by C. Edward Alexander and David Bryan, unseen production photo galleries, behind the scenes footage - ‘A Gentlemans’s Miscellany’ and ‘The Cairo Cutaway’ and exclusive footage from ‘The Harry Patch Recordings’.

You can catch Imperial Vengeance live when they hit the road with SABBAT in August. Dates include:

August

16 - Bierkeller - Bristol, England
17 - The Well - Leeds, England
18 - Ivory Blacks - Glasgow, Scotland
20 - Rock City - Nottingham, England
21 - Underworld - London, England
22 - Central Station - Wrexham, England

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