WHW-VOL news

I'm very proud to announce that as of Monday, September 28th, 2009 the "Vast Oceans Lachrymose" album has been completed... after 5 tumultous years... approximately 14 years after it was first discussed (albeit with a different tracklist)... anyway, the bottom line is... it is DONE.

There's no doubt we could've continued working on it, but perhaps the details and minutia that would be affected are ultimately irrelevant to anyone outside of the band and our engineer Chris Salamone. Further, we literally worked up to the very last possible minute given the time necessary to manufacture and ship in time for the release dates.

Speaking of those, for the compact disc edition, they are as follows:

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 - North America
Friday, November 6th, 2009 - Europe

The album is (and has been) available for pre-order through several retail outlets, and will be available through most major stores. I am sure there will be a plethora of online retailers as well, including Cruz Del Sur Music directly.

We will also be making the album and various tracks available electronically via all the existing options, and more details will be made available regarding that soon.

Additionally, a 180gm audiophile LP version (in a stellar gatefold sleeve) will be released via Maniacal Records in a limited edition of 500 copies. The actual release date of this will be determined after we've had the chance to listen to the test pressings and insure all is well. Expect it before the end of the year however (most likely in November).

Coming up next will be massive website updates, information about merchandise, and upcoming shows in support of the album.

**Media and press people - If you have procured any other version of the album prior to September 30th, 2009 - you do NOT have the final production master, rather an initial master we assembled specifically for you, however, if you are on the CDSM promo list and would like an advance copy of the final album electronically, please contact me directly, and I'll sort something out. Many of you WILL receive a finished copy of the album as well once it is available**

New samples from the entire album are now available for streaming at www.myspace.com/whileheavenwept

Thanks again to everyone who has waited so patiently for this album... I cannot tell you how much of a relief it is to be done... I sacrificed so many things over the last 5 years and most recently my physical and emotional health in order to complete this on time... your comments are certainly welcome and encouraged... but please understand that I am desperately in need of sleep and I'm also dealing with a case of postpartum depression, so if I don't respond instantly to you, just give me a week or so to catch up on everything that I need to.

Cheers... more soon...

Tom Phillips
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009, with addendums Friday, October 2nd, 2009