German black metallers DARK FORTRESS will release their new album, "Ylem", via Century Media Records on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland: January 22, 2010
Rest of Europe: January 25, 2010
USA: February 9, 2010

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Ylem
02. As The World Keels Over
03. Osiris
04. Silence
05. Evenfall
06. Redivider
07. Satan Bled
08. Hirundineans
09. Nemesis
10. The Valley
11. Wraith

Unlike the last DARK FORTRESS album, "Eidolon", "Ylem" is not strictly a concept album; however, most songs have a common theme — invocations of the death principle from different perspectives.

"Ylem" is the term for the state of the elements before the Big Bang; in alchemy, it refers to the primordial matter from which all elements were created. The return to a state of "Ylem" automatically signifies the end of everything that exists now. There is a spark of life in every living cell, but also a seed of entropy and death. The insignificance of the feeble evolutionary detour that is man is evident, for our future is clear: we will be nothing but dust and bones on a scorched, lifeless rock waiting to be devoured by the sun. This vision is also the basis of Stephen Lenfestey's artwork for the album (see image below).

Musically, it is safe to say that DARK FORTRESS took the next step in its development — as the band have always done. "We all keep growing as musicians, and we would never make the same album twice," explains vocalist Morean. "Where 'Eidolon' was a compact missile, shot to kill instantly, on 'Ylem' we explore the stylistic diversity inherent in this band deeper than ever before. There is a lot of slow, very heavy stuff going on, some truly rotten clean parts, but also insane blastbeats, some orchestral darkness, and tons of killer riffs to break your neck to. It is our ambition that every song is its own world and has a strong and unmistakable identity. We exploited this ambition to the fullest here."

"Ylem" was recorded at V. Santura's (TRIPTYKON, NONEUCLID, CELTIC FROST) Woodshed Studio without any outside influences or distractions.

DARK FORTRESS will hit the road in December as part of the "Finale In Black" European tour with SATYRICON, SHINING and POSTHUM.