Last week, Noisecreep broke the news that the Carnival of Madness tour would be returning this summer. This year's installment will feature Theory of a Deadman, Alter Bridge, Black Stone Cherry, Adelitas Way, and Emphatic. Sponsored by Monster Energy Drink, the Carnival of Madness tour will tear through North America for over 25 dates starting on August 13 in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.

"I guess I first heard about the tour a month or so ago," said Alter Bridge vocalist-guitarist Myles Kennedy during a recent chat with Noisecreep. "I'm so excited that it all worked out and we'll be doing it this year."

"We've spent the last seven years building up our name in the UK and the rest of Europe. Alter Bridge toured a lot over there and it shows. The fans overseas have really taken to us and been incredibly supportive of what we do. In the UK, the press has even been good to us [laughs]."

Noisecreep asked Kennedy why Alter Bridge spent more time promoting themselves in the UK than in their home country.

"Initially, our first album [2004's 'One Day Remains'] took off in the UK in a much bigger way than it did in the States," he replied. "I'm not sure why it happened that way, but it was great to see. The demand across the pond was just there really early on, so it made sense to book a lot of stuff in those markets."

Kennedy then went on to say that he and bandmates are finally ready to give their North American fans what they want.

"At this point in Alter Bridge's career, we're ready to focus on North America a bit more. We've been playing a lot more here as of late, and we're finally beginning to see the fruits of our labor. I think this Carnival of Madness thing is such a great idea. You have us and Theory of a Deadman, plus Black Stone Cherry, Adelitas Way, and Emphatic. We're all bands playing melodic hard rock, so it makes sense to have us all on this package. There will be a lot of singing along with the bands [laughs]."

CARNIVAL OF MADNESS 2011 TOUR DATES:

Saturday, August 13 Twin Lakes, IL Shadow Hill Ranch

Friday, August 19 Council Bluffs, IA Harrah's Casino

Saturday, August 20 Sedalia, MO Missouri State Fairgrounds

Friday, August 26 Louisville, KY KY State Fair/Cardinal Stadium

Saturday, August 27 Waterloo, IA McElroy Auditorium (outdoors)

Sunday, August 28 St. Paul, MN Minnesota State Fair

Thursday, September 1 Allentown, PA The Great Allentown Fair

Saturday, September 3 Hampton Beach, NH Hampton Beach Casino

Wednesday, September 7 Baltimore, MD Pier Six Concert Pavilion

Saturday, September 10 Atlantic City, NJ House of Blues

Sunday, September 11 Huntington, WV Harris Riverfront Park

Tuesday, September 13 Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Uptown Amp.

Wednesday, September 14 Fayetteville, NC Crown Coliseum

Friday, September 16 Tulsa, OK Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino

Saturday, September 17 Poplar Bluff, MS Black River Coliseum

Note: More dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

Watch the video for Alter Bridge's 'Isolation'

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