ATHEIST Frontman On New Material: 'The Music Is Insane In The Most Catchiest Of Ways To Me'

Vocalist Kelly Shaefer reactivated seminal technical metal pioneers ATHEIST has issued the following update:

"We are currently deep into the writing of what I feel will be a defining moment in the career of ATHEIST and us as individuals.

"The music is insane in the most catchiest of ways to me... It's complex, but very moody, and interesting to the 10th degree.

"[It is] SO fun writing this music again, and hearing the quality that has developed.

"We have all grown up so much, and people, and as songwriters. My guitar playing in the last year has really progressed, and my contributions on guitar to this new album are in my opinion my most ecclectic. So very heavy and quick as well.

"Tons of fun.

"[I] cannot wait to get these fuckers out on the road later this year.

"I have been teaching guitar in my hometown of Sarasota. That has been a very rewarding experience for me.

"[My daughter] Skyelilly is four and moving through life like a diva freight train.

"Just had a great deal of my painting professionally photographed by my good friend Amanda, so I will add them to my portfolio page, and soon I will have a line of limited-edition prints of some of my paintings. Only 100 will be sold per painting. Signed with a certificate of authenticity.

"Have not been out much lately, just playing guitar four hours a day, and compiling as many riffs as I can write.

"Heading to Atlanta to meet up with the boys from ATHEIST to continue organizing material.

"We have been offered some amazing tours, but we have to make sure this album is the shit... so touring before we get this fucker done is just not in our best interest until after the album is done.

"We will be heading to Europe in june to do a string of dates and to play some of the new material live. Centered around our appearance at Hellfest 2010, that's going to be a blast."

ATHEIST's new live album, entitled "Unquestionable Presence: Live At Wacken", was released on July 21, 2009 via Relapse Records. The set, which was mixed by Matt Washburn at LedBelly Sound Studio in Canton, Georgia, features the band's complete performance at the 2006 edition of the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany along with a bonus disc featuring "essential ATHEIST tracks" hand-picked by the group. Also included is a 24-page booklet with extensive liner notes and photos.

Austria's Stormbringer.at webzine conducted an interview with Shaefer and ATHEIST drummer Steve Flynn at last year's Brutal Assault festival, which was held August 6-8, 2009 in Pevnost, Josefov, Czech Republic. Watch the chat below.