Chicago-based metallers DIRGE WITHIN have changed their name to THE BLOODLINE.
Comments the group in a statement: "The birth of of this band may come to some of you as a surprise, yet it was for the right reasons in many ways.
"We are very excited about the material in this new album. We have taken the time to perfectly craft these songs and are beyond proud of the sacrifices we have all put into this writing process. Groove, melody and intensity all come to mind, but we would rather let YOU the listener determine as such.
"Also, regarding DIRGE WITHIN, we all felt it was best, once we began writing the new music, it truly took on a new life of its own, all of us felt it was best to admit this is not DIRGE WITHIN in many ways. As well as the four of us do not want to limit ourselves in any form as musicians and from that THE BLOODLINE is born and this heart is pounding."
The first taste of THE BLOODLINE, a song called "The Blackout", can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below. The track was produced by Joel Wanasek and THE BLOODLINE and was enginered by Scott Creekmore at Mercenary Studios. It was mixed and mastered by Joel Wanasek at JTW Studios.
MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine's son Justis, who heads up his own artist management company, Justis Mustaine Management, stated about THE BLOODLINE: "I had the pleasure of meeting Shaun Glass and the band at one of the Gigantour shows during the summer. He played me some music from his new band THE BLOODLINE. I was hooked, rocking out. [It's] so heavy, so melodic. Great work, guys!"