TRIVIUM's 'God Of War' Contribution To Mark Recording Debut Of Drummer NICK AUGUSTO

Florida metallers TRIVIUM will enter the studio this coming week to record a new song, entitled "Shattering The Skies Above", for the digital extended play (EP) soundtrack for the highly anticipated PlayStation3 (PS3) exclusive videogame "God of War III". The EP, titled "God of War: Blood & Metal", will be released in March via Roadrunner Records as a part of the "God of War III Ultimate Edition", and will feature four other previously unreleased songs from Roadrunner artists — KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, DREAM THEATER, OPETH and TAKING DAWN.

"Shattering The Skies Above" will mark the recording debut of drummer Nick Augusto, a former TRIVIUM drum tech and a member of the band MARUTA (Willowtip Records),who appears to have permanently replaced TRIVIUM's longtime skinsman Travis Smith (although this has not yet been officially confirmed by the group).

Smith sat out the second leg of the band's North American "Into The Mouth Of Hell" tour in order to take care of "some personal business" at home.

"['Shattering The Skies Above'] has been in the works for a bit, actually," TRIVIUM bassist Paolo Gregoletto told U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine back in December. "The first main riff I came up with on the SLIPKNOT tour we did in the U.S. in February 2009. I was having trouble coming up with anything that followed it well. Once I heard we had the chance to be a part of the game's EP, I really wanted to give this riff a chance to be in the song. We started collaborating on the riffs, structure, and started jamming it at rehearsals."

He continued, "Everyone keeps asking what it sounds like, more like 'Shogun' or 'Ascendancy', and the only way I can really describe it is as being very intense and energetic."

Consumers who purchase the "God of War III Ultimate Edition" will receive a voucher code to download the tracks, as well as downloadable music in the form of the "God of War Trilogy" soundtrack. Fans will also receive a special code to download a director's cut of "God of War: Unearthing the Legend", a full-length movie documentary depicting the history of the "God of War" franchise, access to an exclusive "God of War Challenge Arena" environment with up to seven unique challenges, an exclusive Kratos skin, and a limited-edition art book.

The "God of War III Ultimate Edition" will retail for $99.99 (MSRP).

"When we were initially asked to write an original song for the game, we were slightly perplexed since we've never actually written a track for something other than a TRIVIUM record," said TRIVIUM guitarist/vocalist Matt Heafy. "But we answered the call as we are fans of the game. Writing the song was a fun experience. We started piecing riffs together on tour and then we really put time into the song when we got home and had the chance to go into the practice space to work on our ideas as a group. This new song captures a certain energy we've been trying to harness on record as well, as it will show all our fans worldwide where TRIVIUM is heading musically in the future."

For more information about "God of War", visit www.GodofWar.com.

Fan-filmed video footage of TRIVIUM's November 9, 2009 performance at Le Medley in Montreal, Quebec, Canada can be viewed below (courtesy of "hellawaits77NY").