Ensiferum, Hypocrisy, Ex Deo & Blackguard to Tour North America

Fresh off a successful stint on this year's Summer Slaughter Tour, Finnish folk metallers Ensiferum will kick off an American headlining tour with support from Nuclear Blast recording artists Hypocrisy and Ex Deo as well as Sumerian recording artists Blackguard.

Said Ensiferum guitarist Markus Toivonen:

"We had a great time on this year's Summer Slaughter tour. Thanks to all the bands involved, and to all the fans that came to see us. We're very excited to come back to [America] in November to support our new album, From Afar. Hypocrisy, Ex Deo and Blackguard are great bands. It should be great fun for everyone!"

Swedish death metal legends Hypocrisy will be touring in support of their soon-to-be-released and highly anticipated new full-length, "A Taste Of Extreme Divinity." The record will mark the band's their first full-length since 2005's "Virus."

Commented frontman Peter Tagtgren on the record:

"We’re happy of the result so far; its got everything a Hypocrisy album should have in our own point of view. We will release it October 23rd (Europe) and November 3rd (North America) and start touring in [America], supporting Ensiferum!"

Roman-themed death metal troop Ex Deo, featuring members of Kataklysm, Martyr and Blackguard, will be touring in support of their recently issued debut, "Romulus."

"I would like to thank everyone from the Ensiferum camp for this generous invitation," said mainman Maurizio Iacono. "We cordially accept the offer, but make no mistake: Rome bows to no one and our American legions are growing rapidly. We come for blood and we shall take no prisoners and in the great words of Caesar, 'Vini, Vidi, Vici,' and this is what we intend to do in November.”

The folk-influenced progressive metal act Blackguard are currently celebrating the release of their debut, "Profugus Mortis." Added Blackguard vocalist Paul Ablaze:

"We had such a blast with our Finnish brothers Ensiferum on the Summer Slaughter tour that a second round seems appropriate. Magnified by the legendary Hypocrisy and our friends in the Roman legion of Ex Deo, this will be the show to see this late fall."

Tour dates to be announced.