MADBALL Frontman Checks In From The Studio

New York City hardcore legends MADBALL are recording their new album, "Empire", at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida for an October 12 release via Good Fight Music. Producing the effort is Erik Rutan, who has previously worked with MISERY INDEX, CANNIBAL CORPSE and GOATWHORE, among many others.

Commented MADBALL vocalist Freddy Cricien: "Erik has been great to work with. He's definitely a perfectionist, which I have no problem with. It's going to benefit us in the end! He's got his own techniques like everyone does, so he's going to bring a different dynamic into the sound/mix.

"I'm excited for people to hear the finish product. I predict it will be very HARD!"

He continued, "The recording process has gone smoothly. Hopefully I won't screw it up.

"I'm actually going in to track vocals today and I'm looking forward to it. And besides the interesting story of a manatee sitting by the place we stayed in, we've been dealing with the usual goofiness that comes with recording a record."

MADBALL recently announced the addition of seasoned drummer Jay Weinberg to the group's ranks.

"Playing with MADBALL for the past several months has been an incredibly rewarding experience in terms of both the music and the friendship we've made," Weinberg said in a press release. "From the touring we've done so far in 2010, to writing and recording 'Empire', I couldn't be happier with the way things are going. I think it's safe to say we're all eagerly anticipating the release of the new album and the touring we're going to be doing in support of it!"

Regarding the new album's title, Cricien previously stated, "MADBALL has come a long way from being street kids to becoming very established in our genre, and even beyond the music. We're finally at a point in our life where we're taking control of our things, whereas before we didn't have control of some things or didn't choose to have control. We have the feeling that we've built a little empire for ourselves with our band, brand, and different endeavors." He continued, "We get this reference that we're kings of New York."

"There are plenty of awesome bands that have come out of the city. AGNOSTIC FRONT are the godfathers of New York hardcore, SICK OF IT ALL are one of the undisputed champs of the scene... we were always known as more of the bad guys, but now people are calling us the kings. It's not a title we gave ourselves and it's not that we call ourselves that, but it's just a term of endearment and respect that people use and it plays into the name 'Empire'.

According to Cricien, fans of MADBALL should expect the sound that they have always loved, but some evolution as well. "There's a certain sound that we're known for, and as much as we want to evolve with the times, we also have to keep in mind that there's a certain standard and integrity with MADBALL, and we have to preserve that," he said. "Real-deal hardcore kids totally appreciate that. That said, the foundation always has to be a certain sound, but we always bring new elements into our sound. There has to be some evolution. It might appeal to people outside of the hardcore realm, but in the end, it's going to be a MADBALL record."

MADBALL has just announced a brand new slew of tour dates with COMEBACK KID that will see the two bands charging through Canada in September.

Since forming in 1988, MADBALL has been responsible for some of the most important releases in the hardcore genre, from the seminal "Ball of Destruction" EP (1989) to the landmark albums "Set It Off" (1994),"Demonstrating My Style" (1996),"Look My Way" (1998),"Hold it Down" (2000),"Legacy" (2005),and their latest release, "Infiltrate the System" (2007).