Virginia-based melodic tech-death metal masters Arsis will release their fifth full-length album, "Unwelcome", on April 30 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2010's "Starve For The Devil" was tracked at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Mark Lewis (The Black Dahlia Murder, Whitechapel, Devildriver, Deicide, Six Feet Under).

"At this point Arsis has more than a few releases in our catalogue and we are about to have one more, 'Unwelcome'," commented Arsis founder and lead guitarist/vocalist James Malone.

"Of all the albums we have done, 'Unwelcome' is an album that I wanted to define the band's sound. We were all focused for the writing and recording and the end product reflects this.

"Get ready for 'Unwelcome' to see the light of day on April 30th through Nuclear Blast Usa and for Arsis to be destroying the new material live throughout May with Hypocrisy, Krisiun, and Aborted!!!"

"We're excited to be back out on the road after spending down-time rebuilding the band and recording both 'Unwelcome' and 'Leper's Caress'," added bassist Noah Martin.

"Down to the artwork, 'Unwelcome' is by far the most raw and brutal album Arsis has released with Nuclear Blast. Upon its release, we look forward to a very busy 2013 touring season, seeing all our old friends and making new ones. If Canadian fans want to bring some homemade poutine to a show, I would be forever indebted to you."

Fans can hear the debut of new guitarist Brandon Ellis and drummer/longtime session member Shawn Priest on the "Lepers Caress" Ep, which can be downloaded for free here. The effort was released via Scion Audio/Visual (a.k.a. Scion A/V), the in-house record label and lifestyle marketing division of the Scion marque produced by Toyota Motor Corporation for the North American market.

Brandon Ellis replaced guitarist Nick Cordle, who was tapped to replace Christopher Amott in the Swedish/German extreme metal act Arch Enemy.

Arsis's 2010 album, "Starve For The Devil" (Nuclear Blast Records), sold 1,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release, landing at No. 13 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart.

"Carve My Cross" video: