Melodic metal band ARTIZAN has finished recording the title track of its new album, "Ancestral Energy", featuring a guest appearance by former ICED EARTH singer Matt Barlow.

"Ancestral Energy" will be released in April 2013 via Pure Steel Records.

Commented ARTIZAN founder/drummer Ty Tammeus: "Matt absolutely blew us away! He walked up to the mic and nailed the entire piece that we wrote for him — amazing. We can't wait for the fans to hear 'Ancestral Energy'."

A photo of Tammeus and Barlow at Tampa, Florida's Morrisound Studios during the recording sessions for the new CD can be seen below.

The song "Ancestral Energy" reveals an intriguing back story for the original ARTIZAN track "Curse Of The Artizan", which was released in 2011. Matt performs the voice of the Artizan's ancestors.

Commented Barlow: "If you have followed what ["ARTIZAN] has recorded previously, you know that they are very much into 'storytelling' and that's something that has always interested me in this genre. As another benefit, I get to work with producer Jim Morris again as he puts the guys through their paces at Morrisound Recording."