Psych metal band ZOROASTER has entered Atlanta’s Living Room Studios to begin the recording of it's new album, Matador. A July release via E1 Music is expected.

Zoroaster is working with producer Sanford Parker on the new album, which will be mastered by Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room in Chicago, IL. Matador’s drums and bass are being laid to tape at Atlanta’s Glow in the Dark Studios. Housed in the former location of the renowned Cheshire Sound Studios - the first dual 24 track facility in the Southeast – the recording complex has been home to projects featuring Prince, The Georgia Satellites, Steve Walsh and more.

Zoroaster’s new material is said to be “more direct, more intense and absolutely enveloping.” A new photo of the trio in the midst of recording can be viewed on the left (click image to enlarge).

Zoroaster will debut a number of new songs at its upcoming SXSW live performances which kick off on Wednesday, March 17th as part of the Action! PR SXSW Showcase (at Mohawk: 912 Red River St., Austin, TX). The all ages event will be open to the public as well as SXSW badge and wristband holders. A full listing of Zoroaster SXSW live appearances follows this message.

When asked for comment on Matador, Zoroaster guitarist / vocalist Will Fiore dished, “As a whole, these are the strongest songs we've ever put together and they really encompass everything we've done until now as a band. There are some really heavy, slow creepers and some of the faster, more driving songs. The new material ranges from really aggressive to more melodic and trippy.”

“It’s going to be a pretty straight-forward rock album and I think it’s what we wanted to create with both Dog Magic and Voice of Saturn, rolled into one,” offers drummer Dan Scanlan. “There will be a lot of shorter tracks that are very straight forward and hard-hitting — it’s a lot less of a droning record than what people are expecting. The album title Matador sums up the feel of the album perfectly. It's an "epic" sort of title; strong and powerful, but graceful.”

In addition to Fiore and Scanlan, Zoroaster features bassist / vocalist Brent Anderson.

Zoroaster tour dates:

March

17 - Austin, TX - Mohawk (As part of the Action! PR SXSW showcase)
18 - Austin, TX - Hoek’s Death Metal Pizza (3:10 PM, as part of BrooklynVegan / Crustcake / 1000 Knives Present a Pizza Party)
18 - Austin, TX - East End Tattoo (5 PM, as part of Chronic Youth Presents: Zoroaster)