Phil Anselmo has fronted some of metal's best-known bands, but he's ready to step out on his own. The Pantera / Down / Superjoint Ritual frontman has announced that his first solo album, 'Walk Through Exits Only,' is now on schedule for a July 16 release date.

Anselmo's fingerprints are all over this record as he not only sang on the disc, but co-produced it with Michael Thompson and will release it via his own Housecore Records label in association with MRI and Megaforce. Anselmo recorded the disc over the last couple of years at his New Orleans-based Nodferatu's Lair with his solo band, the Illegals (guitarist Marzi Montazeri and drummer Jose Manuel 'Blue' Gonzales).

The eight-song set features the completely unrestrained sounds of such songs as 'Battalion of Zero,' 'Usurper's Bastard Rant' and the title track. Anselmo says of the disc, "It wasn't about doing a paint-by-numbers thrash or heavy metal record. It's an angry album that only I could do. I don't see anybody else out there screaming about the same s--- I'm screaming about. On this album, there isn't any wordplay, there isn't any hidden message. It's all right there in front of you."

Anselmo and the Illegals are currently in the process of ironing out their summer North American tour schedule. Stay tuned for more coming from Philip Anselmo and the Illegals.

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