LAMB OF GOD's New Music Has 'Its Own Energy,' Says MARK MORTON

LAMB OF GOD guitarist Mark Morton has told Consequence Of Sound that he and his bandmates have been working on new material for their upcoming studio album. "It's got its own energy, and there are a lot of ideas bouncing around, and we've definitely been actively working on that lately," he said.

As for a possible release date for the next LAMB disc, Mark said: "I can't give you a timeline. I can't tell you 2019, 2020, 'cause I don't know yet, but definitely some new LAMB stuff coming together and feels really good."

Asked how his solo project and singer Randy Blythe's new band OVER IT ALL may affect the dynamics of LAMB OF GOD, Morton said: "I don't worry so much about that at this stage. LAMB OF GOD has been a band for a couple of decades or better now, and our creative process is pretty firmly in place. I feel like LAMB OF GOD still has a lot left to do, and I know for a fact we're still very motivated about new material and energized about what we're capable of doing next. In terms of the side projects, it depends on the situation. If you're doing a side project out of spite or frustration, maybe that's not a positive thing. I don't think that's ever been the case in our band. For my part, doing a side project, honestly, when I come back to LAMB, I'm a little more focused, and I can hone in a little more on what is right for LAMB OF GOD. Instead of having all these outside styles to force through that filter, I can focus a little more on what's appropriate for LAMB OF GOD. Not that we're limited by our history, but there are certain components in LAMB OF GOD that are mainstays. I don't think it hurts to do side projects, especially well into your career. I think it's a cool thing."

LAMB OF GOD's latest release was a covers album, "Legion: XX", which was made available under the BURN THE PRIEST banner in May 2018 via Nuclear Blast in Europe and Epic Records in the U.S.

A LAMB OF GOD EP called "The Duke" came out in November 2016 via Epic. The EP's title track, which was recorded during the sessions for the band's last full-length collection of all-new original material, "VII: Sturm Und Drang", was inspired by the plight of a LAMB OF GOD fan named Wayne Ford, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010 and died five years later at the age of 33.

LAMB OF GOD recently supported SLAYER on the North American leg of the latter band's farewell world tour.

Morton's solo album, "Anesthetic", is due out March 1. The disc's latest single, "Cross Off", features a guest appearance by late LINKIN PARK singer Chester Bennington.