Kittie are currently in Retro Media Sound Studio in Red Bank, New Jersey, recording their fourth full-length release.
Industry veteran producer Jack Ponti, who has worked with Bon Jovi, Doro, Baton Rouge, and Alice Cooper, will produce the record. The album will be released on Kitties own label, Kiss of Infamy. Kevin Shirley, who has worked with Jimmy Page as well as Slayer, Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Dream Theater, will mix the album.
Starting our own label is an amazing feeling, said guitarist vocalist Morgan Lander. We have always been entrepreneurs of sorts, so this path really made sense. I cannot tell you how lucky we are that Jack chose to come out of retirement to do this album with us. He taught us a lot about recording, about how less is always more, about improving sound with different microphone placement, and the importance of focusing on one song at a time. Jack is also a master at arranging vocal harmonies, which is something we have never really experimented with.
This album has so many more dimensions than anything we have ever done before, said Lander. The harmonies are huge and lush, and the guitars are crushing and complex all at the same time. The bass is smooth and complimentary to the ridiculously fast and precise drums and allows the song to just open up. There is so much more going on now musically rather than two guitars playing the same riffs.
Some of the song titles for the album are: Never Again, Funeral For Yesterday, The Change, Breathe, Last Goodbye, Slow Motion, and Flowers of Flesh and Blood.
This album is sort of a concept album in a way, said Lander. All of the songs were written over a period of about a year and a half and they all revolve around dying, death, and the promise of resurrection. The subject matter is a direct result of what Mercedes and I were going through personally and professionally these past few years – dealing with life on the road, personnel changes, deceit, hopelessness and an overall feeling of “is this the end.” Death of one kind or another – be it literally, figuratively, or emotionally – has been at the center of our lives these past few years. But you must have death before you have resurrection and I feel the band is in its resurrection stage – a new hope, a new light and a rebirth.
Kitties yet untitled album will be released March 2007.