It's Official: RICHARD CHRISTY's New Album To Feature TIM 'RIPPER' OWENS, STEVE DIGIORGIO

Metal Blade Records has announced the signing of acclaimed metal drummer Richard Christy's new project, CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED (as first reported byBLABBERMOUTH.NET on May 14). This newly formed outfit features some of the most talented musicians in metal. Their collective experience is colossal and their musical pedigrees speak louder than any verbal or written praise.

Christy comments: "To be a part of the Metal Blade family is such an honor. I've been a fan of the label since I was an eleven year old kid ordering 'Metal Massacre' cassettes through the mail. It's so amazing to be label mates with some of my all time favorite metal bands like AMON AMARTH, KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, CANNIBAL CORPSE, and LIZZY BORDEN, just to name a few! Brian Slagel is a true metal legend and I'm honored to be a part of his label. I'm beyond excited to get back into the studio and make some crushing heavy metal with my friends!"

Metal Blade Records founder Brian Slagel adds: "We are very happy to welcome Richard Christy and his band CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED to the Metal Blade family. In addition to his duties on 'The Howard Stern Show', Richard has had a great career in metal. He has put together a really great new band with some of metal's most talented artists and we can't wait to have everyone hear it."

In the spring of 2009, Richard Christy, former drummer for DEATH and ICED EARTH, finished writing the music for a new project. The music for album began to take shape roughly two years ago, after several years of Richard being on a musical hiatus. And though Richard is mostly known for his drumming prowess, he has also actively played guitar since 1992. The project would come to be named CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED.

Upon completing the music for the album in 2009, Richard began to put together his dream band of musicians whom he considers to be some of the best in the world. Included in this musical collective is famed producer, Jason Suecof. Suecof has produced and/or mixed some of the most prominent albums from metal's leading bands, including TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, BURY YOUR DEAD, AUGUST BURNS RED, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DAATH, CHIMAIRA, DEVILDRIVER, GOD FORBID and many, many more. Richard and Jason have been friends for over ten years and wrote music together for years while Richard resided in Florida. On vocals for CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED will be none other than legendary metal vocalist, Tim "Ripper" Owens. Richard and Tim played together in ICED EARTH from 2003 to 2004. Tim "Ripper" Owens' first and most well-known gig was with metal legends JUDAS PRIEST. He currently performs with BEYOND FEAR and YNGWIE MALMSTEEN'S RISING FORCE. On bass guitar for CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED will be one of metal's most heralded bassists, Steve Digiorgio. Richard and Steve played together in the bands CONTROL DENIED and ICED EARTH. DiGiorgio has also performed with DEATH, AUTOPSY, CONTROL DENIED, TESTAMENT, VINTERSORG, ICED EARTH, and is a founding member of technical thrash pioneers SADUS. He is widely renowned for his technical skills, and is one of the very few bass players in the metal scene who plays fretless bass.

Look for a full-length album by CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED this fall, produced by Jason Suecof himself at his Sanford, Florida-based based studio, Audiohammer Studios.

CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED is:

Richard Christy - Drums
Jason Suecof - Guitar, Producer
Tim "Ripper" Owens - Vocals
Steve Digiorgio - Bass