Soulfly has inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Entertainment, a new division of Nuclear Blast formed by Nuclear Blast owner Markus Staiger and former Roadrunner A&R chief Monte Conner. The band will enter the studio this month to begin recording its as-yet-untitled ninth album. The record will be produced by the world-renowned Terry Date, who is known for his work with such bands Pantera, Deftones and Soundgarden, among many others.

Date previously mixed Soulfly's "3" (2002), "Prophecy" (2004) and "Dark Ages" (2005) albums, but has never produced any of the group's CDs.

"I'm really excited to be signing Soulfly to Nuclear Blast Records," commented Soulfly mainman Max Cavalera. "On top of it, we're going to be reunited with Monte Conner, who I've worked with for over 20 years at Roadrunner.

"Soulfly's new album is going to be recorded in Seattle with the great producer Terry Date, and it's going to come out later in the year through Nuclear Blast worldwide. Keep it metal!"

"It feels so right to be reunited with Max Cavalera," added Monte Conner. "He is the second artist I signed and we've made 17 albums together over the years, including several metal classics.

"Max's voice remains just as unique and powerful as the day I met him and I felt the last Soulfly album, 'Enslaved', was his strongest work since the band's gold-selling debut. I am honored to call him a friend and to continue to be a part of his mission."

The drum tracks on the new Soulfly Cd will be laid down by Max's 21-year-old son, Zyon Cavalera, who joined the band as its touring drummer for its recent rampage through North America.

Zyon previously played with Soulfly during the band's tour of Brazil in February 2012.

It is Zyon's unborn heartbeat that can be heard during the intro of Sepultura's classic song "Refuse/Resist", which appeared on the band's Riaa-gold-certified "Chaos A.D." album, released three years before Max's departure from the group.

Drummer David Kinkade (Borknagar, Arsis, Malevolent Creation), who played on Soulfly's latest album, "Enslaved", left the band last October in order to focus on his personal life.