Virginia-based melodic tech-death metal masters ARSIS has made a new EP, "Lepers Caress", available for free download 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.

"The EP was put together quickly after we finished [the forthcoming ARSIS full-length album] 'Unwelcome'," said ARSIS bassist Noah Martin, "It gave us the opportunity to offer a brief statement of where our heads are at the moment. We revisited some of the oldest material in the ARSIS catalog as well as re-tracked a song off the upcoming full-length. Expect more three and four-part writing, thrash and blasts, and a string quartet arranged for a full band."

"Lepers Caress" track listing:

01. Haunted, Fragile, And Frozen
02. Six Coffins Wide
03. Veil Of Mourning Black
04. A Tearful Haunt, Condemned
05. Carve My Cross
06. Denied

Scion A/V will also sponsor a brief North American tour that will see ARSIS hit 15 cities this December, starting with a December 6 show at New York City's Gramercy Theater.

ARSIS recently recruited Brandon Ellis as the band's new guitarist. Brandon has toured with the group in the past but will finally make his recording debut on ARSIS' upcoming full-length release. He replaces guitarist Nick Cordle, who was recently 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.