SATYRICON Comment On 'The Return Of The Antichrist' U.S. Tour

Norwegian black metallers SATYRICON have set "The Return of the Antichrist" as the name of their upcoming U.S. tour, set to kick off on Thursday, December 2 in San Francisco, CA and conclude on December 22. Canadian-based bands INFERNAL MAJESTY and 3 INCHES OF BLOOD will provide support for these dates.

SATYRICON frontman Satyr explains the tour's title: "I recently read a survey that said that Americans between the ages of 18 and 30 are the least rebellious and most god-fearing in the world. How disappointing. It's time that SATYRICON came to the U.S."

SATYRICON will be joined on this tour by SLIPKNOT drummer Joey Jordison. Jordison, a huge SATYRICON fan who offered his services to the band, will sit it for drummer Frost who has been denied entry to the United States due to ongoing visa problems. For "The Return Of The Antichrist" tour, the SATYRICON lineup includes Satyr (vocals),Steinar Gundersen (lead guitar),Lars Norberg (bass),A.O. Gronbech (rhythm guitar),Jonna Nikula (electronics),and Jordison (drums).

SYSTEM OF A DOWN guitarist/producer Daron Malakian, who owns SATYRICON's U.S. record label, eatURmusic, said, "Anyone who knows black metal knows that SATYRICON is that genre's premiere band. I have been a huge fan of the black metal scene for years, and I am so honored that SATYRICON is on my label. Their new album, 'Volcano', is exceptional, in my opinion, the best they've recorded; it's honest, it has integrity, and I feel it and these upcoming tour dates will help spread the word to a new audience."

"The Return Of The Antichrist" will be SATYRICON's second U.S. tour in support of "Volcano", released April 13, 2004 on the eatURmusic/Red Ink/Columbia label. While the band has achieved massive cult status in Europe, they are making headway breaking through in America. METALLICA's Lars Ulrich recently singledSATYRICON out as one of the more exciting new bands on the scene today. For the December tour dates, SATYRICON is readying a new promotional video for the track "Repined Bastard Nation", which was shot in front of some 40,000 fans at the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany earlier this year.

"As we are from Norway," said Satyr, "we have a Viking heritage, a very interesting history and culture — and one that is different from that of America's. Black metal is very much a European and a Norwegian phenomena. I have seen the growing interest in black metal since we visited America for the first time in 2000 and I believe our time has finally come in America too. The black metal scene over there is taking shape now."

With more dates to be announced, the confirmed itinerary for SATYRICON's "The Return Of The Antichrist" tour is as follows:

Dec. 02 - The Pound @ Pier 96 - San Francisco, CA
Dec. 03 - The Whiskey - Los Angeles, CA
Dec. 05 - Mason Jar - Phoenix, AZ
Dec. 09 - Pops Nite Club - St. Louis, MO
Dec. 11 - Harpo's - Detroit, MI
Dec. 12 - Eagles Club/The Rave - Milwaukee, WI
Dec. 13 – Metro - Chicago, IL
Dec. 16 – Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
Dec. 18 - The Palladium - Worcester, MA
Dec. 19 – Jaxx - West Springfield, VA