DOPE Signs With KOCH RECORDS

Koch Records has announced the signing of Chicago-based hard-rock/nu-metal act DOPE. The band's fifth CD, titled "No Regrets", will be released on June 10, 2008.

Vocalist and guitarist Edsel Dope, alongside long-time lead guitarist Virus, has revitalized DOPE's lineup on "No Regrets". Joining them on bass and backing vocals is Tripp Tribbet, formerly frontman of TWISTED METHOD, who also happens to be the younger brother of MUDVAYNE/HELLYEAH guitarist Greg Tribbet. On drums, DOPE recruited former GENITORTURERS drummer Angel Bartolotta.

"Adding Tripp Tribbet and Angel to the fold has really made this incarnation of DOPE the strongest yet," says Edsel. "Our commitment to deliver a fresh approach on 'No Regrets' has been our focus all winter long in the studio. Virus and I know where we came from and those roots are strong, so this record will also appeal to our core group of fans that has been with us since the beginning."

As for the relationship with Koch, Edsel says, "Scott Givens was a key member of the Roadrunner Records staff in the early days, and he is taking an old-school approach to developing his new roster at Koch. I am super excited about our new partnership with Koch Records."

Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) lent his signature guitar squeals to DOPE on the new track "Addiction". A video for "Addiction" is currently in development.

DOPE recently completed a U.S. headlining tour showcasing new tracks from "No Regrets", including the track "Violence" for which they shot a video during the tour. A snippet of the unmixed track is up on the band's web site now. On the West Coast leg of the tour, DOPE was direct support for BLACK LABEL SOCIETY at the request of Zakk Wylde.

DOPE has recently returned to Chicago and is currently mixing their upcoming Koch Records debut with producer/engineer Tadpole, who recently completed the tracking on the upcoming DISTURBED album.

Another one of DOPE's new tracks, "Nothing Here for Me", is featured on the new Guitar Hero 3 video game and will be included as a bonus track on "No Regrets".

DOPE has released four albums since signing with Epic in 1998, and has sold over 500,000 CDs. Their most recent CD, 2005's "American Apathy", debut at #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart as well as #1 on the Billboard Independent Album Chart.

Scott Givens, Koch Records' VP of Metal, says, "I am thrilled to add DOPE to the Koch roster. I've seen trends come and go through the years while DOPE's dedicated fanbase has continued to establish them as an undeniable force in heavy music. With the completion of 'No Regrets', I think this is just the beginning for DOPE."

Regarding the music on DOPE's new album, Edsel adds, "'No Regrets' is a testament to years of touring, songwriting, and the continued development of DOPE's sound. It is by far the heaviest, most technical, and well rounded album that we have ever made. We have taken our time making this album and we are surpassing our own expectations.”

Upon completion, "No Regrets" will contain more than 15 tracks. Some of the confirmed songtitles are as follows: "Violence", "Addiction", "Dirty World", "Six Six Sick", "My Funeral", "Scorn", "We Are", and the title track, "No Regrets".