Norwegian progressive extreme metallers ENSLAVED will return to the U.S. and Canada in early 2013 for a 20-date headlining "Winter Rite" tour with support from U.S. doom metallers PALLBEARER and occult rockers ANCIENT VVISDOM. Kick-off is in Philadelphia on January 30, with the tour closing in New York City on February 22.

Commented ENSLAVED rhythm guitarist/songwriter/lyricist Ivar Bjørnson: "North America has become like a second home-shore to us; the rising support we've been getting for the last albums and tours has been amazing! We're more than ready to come over again and play our new album, 'RIITIIR', live to show that the new material is extremely well-fitted for a live setting, and to reflect the enthusiasm and dedication we've been getting from the fans over there!"

Confirmed dates for ENSLAVED's "Winter Rite 2013" tour are:

Jan. 30 - Underground Arts - Philadelphia, PA
Jan. 31 - Ottobar - Baltimore, MD
Feb. 01 - Mr. Smalls Theatre - Pittsburgh, PA
Feb. 02 - Magic Stick - Detroit, MI
Feb. 03 - Reggie's Rock Club - Chicago, IL
Feb. 04 - Mill City Nights - Minneapolis, MN
Feb. 06 - Marquis Theater - Denver, CO
Feb. 08 - The Troubadour - West Hollywood, CA
Feb. 09 - Slim's - San Francisco, CA
Feb. 10 - Branx - Portland, OR
Feb. 11 - The Highline - Seattle, WA
Feb. 12 - Biltmore Cabaret - Vancouver, B.C. - CANADA
Feb. 14 - The Pawn Shop - Edmonton, AB - CANADA
Feb. 15 - Dickens Pub - Calgary, AB - CANADA
Feb. 16 - The Exchange - Regina, SK - CANADA
Feb. 17 - Osborne Village Inn - Winnipeg, MB - CANADA
Feb. 19 - The Opera House - Toronto, ON - CANADA
Feb. 20 - Les Foufounes Electriques - Montreal, QC - CANADA
Feb. 21 - The Sinclair - Cambridge, MA
Feb. 22 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY

ENSLAVED's twelfth studio album, "RIITIIR", sold around 2,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 8 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

The band's previous album, "Axioma Ethica Odini", opened with 1,400 units back in September 2010 to debut at No. 16 on the Top New Artist Albums chart.

ENSLAVED will headline Scion AV's Label Showcase, featuring Roadburn Records, with additional appearances by WHITE HILLS, Scott Kelly of NEUROSIS, EARTHLESS and ASTRA. The event takes place on November 10 at the Roxy in West Hollywood, California. The concert is free with RSVP at www.scionav.com/metalshow.