"The Pit: Sports Talk" conducted an interview with guitarist Nick Hipa of San Diego, California metallers AS I LAY DYING at a recent stop on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about AS I LAY DYING's forthcoming album, "Awakened", which is scheduled for release on September 25 via Metal Blade Records, Hipa said in a recent interview, "I can't say that there's anything [on there] that's going to shock anyone. I mean, it sounds like AS I LAY DYING. We're really proud of it because I feel like this is the best 11 songs that we've [written]. It's a very well written record; it's so fast-paced. My way I describe it — it's jam after jam. There's no filler, so by the time you get through the album, you're like, 'Man, that was quick — I can listen it again.' Again, this is just my take on, so hopefully fans will be able to hear that as well."

The cover artwork for "Awakened" was created by Metastazis with Tiffanie Uldry and can be seen below. The CD was produced by Bill Stevenson, who has played drums for both the DESCENDENTS and BLACK FLAG and is one of the most highly renowned producers in rock. His production credits include work on records by RISE AGAINST, NOFX, PROPAGANDHI, THE CASUALTIES, ANTI-FLAG and many more. The album was mixed by Colin Richardson (MACHINE HEAD, NAPALM DEATH, SLIPKNOT).