Photo by: Eric Younkin Jr.
Official press release:
Texas metal titans Warbeast will release their long-waited new full-length, Enter The Arena, this August via Philip H. Anselmo‘s own Housecore Records. Captured at Anselmo’s Nodferatu’s Lair, mixed by Mike Thompson at the Riff Factory and mastered by Lee Russell, Enter The Arena features newest Warbeast recruits, guitarist Drew Shoup and bassist Lyric Ferchaud, and stands among the band’s most potent, volatile, and unrepentantly powerful offering yet.
Vocalist Bruce Corbitt notes:
“”We recorded Enter The Arena exactly a decade after we formed Warbeast. The nucleus and founding members of this band [guitarist Scott Shelby, drummer Joey Gonzalez, and Corbitt] provided the essential veteran leadership that was vital for us to reach our goal of creating our magnum opus. The three of us also contributed our unique individual styles to guarantee that we still sound like Warbeast. But with the addition of our two newest members – guitarist Drew Shoup and bassist Lyric Ferchaud – who I call the ‘Youngbloods’, it was like adding a breath-of-fresh-air to our chemistry. We definitely sound like a well-oiled-machine on this album. So get prepared for the upcoming onslaught of pure, fresh, and quintessential Texas thrash!”
Shelby adds:
“Enter The Arena is Warbeast at its finest in performance, writing and tone quality. I’m confident that it will please any rivethead out there! I believe it’s mine and our best work to date.”
Enter The Arena will see release on August 4th. Preorder bundles are currently available. For CD bundles visit THIS LOCATION. For vinyl bundles go to THIS LOCATION.
Enter The Arena track listing:
1. “Centuries Of Poisoned Soil”
2. “Punishment For Gluttony”
3. “Orchestration Of Violence”
4. “Maze Of The Minotaur”
5. “Hitchhiker”
6. “Chemicals Consuming”
7. “Enter The Arena”
8. “The Scalping”
9. “Conjuration With The Devil”
10. “Ancient Hate”
The release of Warbeast’s Enter The Arena follows Corbitt‘s recent and tragic announcement that he’s been diagnosed with esophageal cancer –a treatable though rarely curable disease – facing the likelihood that he will never be able to sing again.
In a recent Facebook message to fans, Corbitt revealed:
“After much discussion with the doctors and specialist, they’ve told me there’s no chance within any reasonable time that I’ll ever be able to perform again. So it breaks my heart at this time that I’m forced to announce my retirement from singing. I’m sorry to all of my bandmates for letting them down. I’m devastated with all of this hitting me so fast. I’m still in shock. Thanks for all of the great support all these years. You’re the best fans and I love all of you! We at least have a great Warbeast album and music video coming soon. I can’t even begin to explain my feelings. You guys have given me the strength I need to even prepare for this fight. Honestly, I was close to losing hope that there was any good to come out of this. Of course, I’m scared for my life like any normal human being would be. Those moments when I can get on Facebook and scroll through all of your messages, the emotion takes over. I cry, I get stronger, I also realize what all of you mean to me. I do believe in the power prayer and positive vibes. And I have all of you to thank for that.”
Corbitt, who recently began an intensive schedule of radiation treatments, played his final show on Saturday May 27th at the Rail Club in Fort Worth, Texas. View the farewell footage below:
Additionally, the band’s previously-scheduled CD release party will be taking place on Friday, July 14th at The Rail Club in Ft. Worth, Texas. Vocals will be handled by Anselmo, Edwin Neal (Texas Chainsaw Massacre), and Wayne Abney of Hammer Witch.
A special fund to help with the Corbitt family’s escalating medical expenses has been set up. To donate visit THIS LOCATION.