NEWS: Underoath lineup changes, Peter Wichers gets more production credits.

Aaron Gillespie announced earlier this year that he was leaving Underoath, which leaves the band with no original members. With Gillespie's unique sound absent, both on drums and his half of the band's dueling vocals, it will be interesting to see what their next album turns out to be. Daniel Davison, formerly of Norma Jean, has signed on for the upcoming Underoath album and tour, but hasn't been confirmed as an official replacement. Davison contributed drums to the track "Desperate Times, Desperate Measures", on Underoath's 2008 album Lost in the Sound of Separation, the band's darkest offering to date. Jeremy Griffith, who brought us Norma Jean's latest album, Meridional, is signed on to produce. You can't see it, but I look very excited.

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In keeping with their Swedish melodeath influenced sound, Washington D.C. giants Darkest Hour have tapped prodigal Soilwork guitarist Peter Wichers to produce their upcoming album, set for an early 2011 release. Previous albums have been produced by the likes of fellow Swede Fredrick Nordstrom and Canadian metal auteur Devin Townsend

WEEKLY TIDBITS: It's 100 degrees out, but there's free Baths and Soilwork.

I won't stop talking about Baths. Deal with it, there are free sounds in it for you. Last week Mr. Wiesenfeld recorded a Sprout Session for Dublab. It's available for free through itunes and you can check it out here. Baths returns to Austin soon, opening for El Ten Eleven, another artist well worth admission. It's all going down September 6th at the Mohawk.

On the angrier side of things, Swedish melodic-metal veterans Soilwork will be at Emo's Thursday night, in support of The Panic Broadcast, their 8th album, which sees the return of founding guitarist Peter Wichers, and has inspired many people to my favorite overused phrase...wait for it... Soilwork have RETURNED TO FORM! They're back to their roots you guys! Hype aside, this is a sweet band, the new material seems pretty cool, and Soilwork shows kick you in the teeth. I'll be there. Then I'll be blabbing about it here, so stay awake.