Jeff Potts, guitarist for the Pittsburgh metal band MANTIC RITUAL has sent in the following tour update:

"For those of you who don't hablo español – ‘No Jeff, it's 'habla' - ... Thanks Adam. For those of you who don't habla español, the title of this blog roughly translates to ‘Pro-Pain/Sworn Enemy Tour update number one.’

With that out of the way, let us bring you up to speed. We spent the last ten days in the southeastern part of the U.S. and we just finished the show in Baltimore. We've had a lot of fun so far and made plenty of new friends and fans. Being back in the van, rather than on the bus like on the last tour, gives us plenty of opportunities to get to know the fine folks who come out to our shows and offer us a place to stay for the night (*hint, hint* to the people coming out to the rest of the shows on this tour).

Possibly the most interesting place we've stayed so far was on a military base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Let's hear it for 3-year-olds that rock out and air-guitar to an entire Iron Maiden DVD - good times.

Just letting everyone know: Much like the tickets at Waynestock, there are still plenty of dates left on this tour. We hope to see you at the shows and party at your house. Remember, in the words of Jim Morrison – ‘If you book us, we will come.’
Until then, ‘Party on, Adam!’ - ‘Party on, Jeff!’”

Executioner, MANTIC RITUAL’s debut album, was named “the best debut album by a band of any musical genre since Metallica’s Kill ‘Em All was released way back in 1983” by MetalSucks.net. Read the “ultra-enthusiastic 5/5 horns” review in its entirety here: http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/05/18...

Live photos of MANTIC RITUAL taken at The Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts by Frank Poulin can be viewed here: http://www.flashwounds.com/gallery/7...

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Question: Who works the hardest when a debut band hits the road to support their debut album?

Answer: The van.

Ten days prior to the launch of their upcoming road trek with Pro-Pain and Sworn Enemy, MANTIC RITUAL’s vocalist/guitarist Dan Wetmore checks in from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with an update on one of the hardest working vans in show business:

"Currently, our boner red GMC Savana has over 140,000 on the clock, but sadly the past 20,000 have been done with a new engine. The original motor didn't want to face life on the road with us, so it died just after we purchased the van. The van's blue book value is currently $2,995 in fair condition, but that's too bad because I'd say our van is in worse condition than that. We have major rust issues eating this baby away, the brakes are warped to hell and I think the previous owner intentionally scratched it with various items daily. Still, it's a good looker from twenty feet away. If we added 40,000 more miles to the van, the price would decrease only $120. I think it's because it's really that crappy. Will someone please tell me when the Japanese will make me a nice full size van? Here's an additional tip for the road: When people want to stop for fast food, tell them to grow a pair! Ha, ha! Amen."

Drummer Adam Haritan responds to the question posed about the band’s formula for success when scheduled for 39 back-to-back-to-back shows with only ONE day off:

"I don't think there's one specific formula that gets us through touring. Each one is different, with new bands to share the road with, new cities to explore, and new friends to meet. We're just doing what we love, so we can hardly call it ‘work.’ I suppose many people look at the rock veterans and envy their schedule, but everyone starts at the bottom and only the best work their way up to achieve the desired arena-rock status. Bands like .38 Special and REO Speedwagon, with their pampered tour schedule, most likely have roots in a small town, jamming to cover songs in their parents' basements like us. Maybe they get extra special treatment for sporting those killer mustaches back in the day. Ben [Mottsman, bassist] was rockin' a mustache a few weeks ago, so we'll see if that has any affect on this tour."

Executioner, MANTIC RITUAL’s debut album, was named “the best debut album by a band of any musical genre since Metallica’s Kill ‘Em All was released way back in 1983” by Metal Sucks.net. Read the “ultra-enthusiastic 5/5 horns” review in its entirety here: http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/05/18...

Live photos of MANTIC RITUAL taken at The Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts by Frank Poulin can be viewed here: http://www.flashwounds.com/gallery/7...

MANTIC RITUAL’s video for "One By One" is available on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6qDK...

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Mantic Ritual MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/manticritua