RAVAGE Cancels Remaining Shows On U.S. Tour

Boston, Massachusetts metallers RAVAGE have been forced to cancel the five remaining dates of their U.S. tour. Singer Al Ravage states, "We planned a self-financed, self-planned, three-month full USA tour a few months ago that we knew would be extremely difficult, and possibly suicidal, but we wanted to do all we could to try to garner some attention for our new album, for traditional heavy metal in general and to finally get a chance to play to all those people across the USA who have asked to see us over the years.

"In some respects, the tour was a success — we got to meet many cool new people, people who had picked up the album and had heard of us before; we got to visit some cool new places; and we got to meet some cool bands and experience life on the road for the better part of three months.

"In many respects, however, the tour was a major failure. We dealt with poorly promoted events, many unsupportive local acts (acts that even didn't stay to see us play or dropped off the bill entirely with little notice),poor fan turnouts, shows canceled by the club at the last minute, and the worst part — numerous van breakdowns and incompetent repair jobs — which forced us to cancel far too many shows. As a result of this, we lost a ton of money and our van was eventually destroyed.

"Despite this, we looked into renting a vehicle to get to the remaining five shows — but we were unable to get it to make financial sense.

"We hope to get back to the areas we were forced to cancel in as soon as we are able to regroup and get going again. Hopefully sometime next year.

"Thanks to everyone who helped us out with a place to stay, a place to play, allowed us some good bands to play with, and the brave few true metal maniacs who came out to the shows and offered their support. You know who you are. Those who screwed us over... bands who dropped off gigs at the last second and didn't bother to even call the clubs... local 'support' bands who didn't even bother to stick around past their own set... those who didn't properly repair our vehicle so it broke down for the same problem numerous times... you also know who you are. We won't forget either.

"We will return to play for everyone who wanted to see us in the areas we missed."

RAVAGE recently parted ways with drummer George "GTB" Bellofatto and replaced him with Pete Webber.

The band released its new album, "The End of Tomorrow", on August 18 via Metal Blade Records. The CD features cover art by Ed Repka (MEGADETH, DEATH, AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE).

According to a press release, RAVAGE's new album "seamlessly intertwines the sounds of New Wave of British Heavy Metal, late '80s American thrash metal and late '90s European power metal to showcase the band's signature style. 'The End of Tomorrow' is sure to be enjoyed by metal maniacs young and old as it blends the soaring vocal and guitar melodies of IRON MAIDEN and HELLOWEEN with the raw power of thrashers like TESTAMENT and KREATOR, presented in a crisply modern production style."

BrooklynRocks conducted an interview with Al Ravage on August 21, 2009 when RAVAGE performed at Dingbatz in Clifton, New Jersey. Watch the chat below.

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