OTEP Frontwoman: 'I've Never Been More Excited About The Future'

California-based, female-fronted band OTEP recently confirmed that it has worked out a split with Capitol Records — which released the group's first two albums — and is shopping around for a new label to issue the band's long-completed third offering, "The Ascension". The CD was recorded in New Orleans over the course of several months with Grammy-winning producer Dave Fortman (EVANESCENCE, MUDVAYNE).

OTEP frontwoman Otep Shamaya has issued the following update:

"Well, what is there to write? Aggression is growing, anticipation is high, and patience is wearing thin. 'Such is life.' Right? 'All good things to those who wait.' Yep. 'Patience is a Virtue.' Uh huh, got it. Heartfelt. Truly. And if things don't shore up soon, I'll be sure to recite all those beautifully virtuous mantras as I beat the lethargy out of these suits with a fat bag of hammers.

"But I digress.

"In all seriousness, the band and I do appreciate how patient everyone has been through this. We are lucky to have fans and supporters like you who are foaming for this album. We are very, very proud of it and are excited to share it with you. All should be sorted out soon — or so I am told. And once the new contract is inked and all is marshaled out a new wave of promotion, all types of SURPRISES, and YES! *TOURING* will immediately begin. It is a very exciting time — er, once we get over this hump.

"When will we find this new continent of hope and deliverance? I can not know at this point — I've seen the signs, heard the calls in the night, and I do believe it to be close.

"What I do know is that we've been in negotiations to get the album on a new label and released (for the last few months) and I can honestly report that I've never been more excited about the future. Our hunt for a new home has been thorough and intense. We do not want to make any mistakes or end up in another stale, passionless environment. If all goes well, we will be partnering with a label that truly understands our artistic intention and believes wholeheartedly in our art and what it stands for.

"Yes, things are moving ahead... like molasses in an ice storm — but moving forward nonetheless. Currently, our world is in the hands of the legal eagles who are debating the finer contractual points and correcting the wherewithal, heretofores, hereinafters, all the ins, all the outs, and all the what-have-yous, (etc, etc).

"It's complicated, it's redundant, it's excessive, irritating, aggravating, frustrating, and necessary.

"Well, that's all I have for now... Remember children, take your vitamins, subvert the dominant paradigm, read, write, recite, and fuck the mainstream."

Watch video footage of OTEP's June 7, 2007 performance at Fat Cat in Modesto, California (courtesy of Capital Chaos TV):