FOZZY To Begin Recording New Album Next Week

FOZZY, the band featuring WWE wrestling superstar Chris Jericho and STUCK MOJO mastermind Rich "The Duke" Ward, is working on material for the follow-up to 2010's "Chasing The Grail", tentatively due before the end of year via the group's new label, Century Media Records.

In a brand new update on his Facebook page, Ward writes about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the new CD, "Chris wrote the bulk of the lyrics months ago, but he has given me updated lyrics as I have needed them, some as recently as last week. I have been working on rough song ideas for last few months. Some basic song structures were recorded out on the road last fall with a portable studio set up in the back lounge of the bus, and other ideas more crudely captured by the recorder in my phone. So far, all the songs written for the album have been recorded in a rough demo form. Drums have been programmed, scratch guitars have been recorded, and a lot of the vocals have been 'sketched' out.

"For the last few weeks, our drummer Frank [Fontsere] has been relentlessly rehearsing the new album material at our practice space in downtown Atlanta. Next week, we officially move into the studio where we start tracking drums.

"Now to the big-headed gum-bumping. Based on the songs and the early demos, my gut feeling is that when this album is completed, it will be the best overall album that I have been a part of.

"It takes a lot of time and effort from so many people to make a record and then get it on to the shelves of your local music store. But all of us involved know that without the band's supporters, making these records wouldn't even be possible. So for that gift, we are so grateful, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

FOZZY last year parted ways with bassist Sean Delson and replaced him with Paul DiLeo (ADRENALINE MOB).

FOZZY released the "Remains Alive & Chasing The Grail" two-CD set on July 18, 2011 via Edel's international rock label earMUSIC.

FOZZY was already on the map as the band with the pro wrestler singer, but "Chasing The Grail" broke them as a proper band. It hit #6 on the U.S. Heatseekers charts and the single "Martyr No More" was a theme song for the WWE Royal Rumble. "Remains Alive" is a 2005 live album (recorded in Australia) that was previously available in digital format only.

"Chasing The Grail" sold around 2,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 6 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.