CIRCLE II CIRCLE, the band featuring former SAVATAGE frontman Zachary Stevens, have set "Burden of Truth" as the title of their third album, due on August 4 via Germany's AFM Records.

Regarding the album's concept, CIRCLE II CIRCLE have issued the following explanation via the AFM web site:

"Just imagine that through years of research tracing back through your family tree, you uncover a secret religious society founded in the first century AD that reveals to you that Jesus had been married to Mary Magdalene and you are in fact one of the direct descendants from that marriage and holy bloodline.

"It's been kept secret for 2000 years to protect you…

"Inspired by the books 'The Da Vinci Code' and 'Holy Blood Holy Grail', Zak Stevens and his band mates from CIRCLE II CIRCLE have begun an extraordinary journey through mind, fantasy, fact and history. A musical, spiritual and deeply touching journey they now are proud to present within a concept album that has never been made like this before.

"Now, with their third strike, the band is moving further — constant and brilliant as always and more: CIRCLE II CIRCLE 2006 are presenting themselves deeper and more charismatic than ever before and show that they are able to bring music onto a higher, deeper, darker and more intense level reached only by few…"

Stevens sang for SAVATAGE from 1992 to 2000, replacing Jon Oliva. CIRCLE II CIRCLE's debut album, "Watching In Silence", came out in 2003. The follow-up effort, "The Middle of Nowhere", was released last year.