Currently busy opening shows across Europe for Tool, alt-metalists Mastodon [ tickets ] will climb back into the headlining saddle late in January for a month-long US tour.

Fellow metal acts Converge [ tickets ] and Priestess [ tickets ] will handle support duties for the shows, which kick off Jan. 26 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The 20-city outing will hit mainly large nightclubs and small theaters, and runs through a Feb. 8 concert in Norfolk, VA.

Mastodon [ tickets ]'s full European itinerary with Tool is available at the band's website.

Mastodon is backing "Blood Mountain," its third studio album and first since signing with the Warner Bros. imprint Reprise Records. The disc, which hit stores in September, follows 2004's "Leviathan."

The new album is also available in a CD/DVD package, including expanded artwork, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the album, a gallery of still images taken during the recording process and a live video of the track "Capillarian Crest."

"This album is a nice collaboration of everybody's character and individuality," singer/bassist Troy Sanders said in a press release. "I always felt we were four unique individuals making up the band, and we've combined to make a meal with wicked ingredients. But most important, everything we do is completely pure and honest."

Boston-based Converge [ tickets ] released its sixth studio set, "No Heroes," in October, while Montreal natives Priestess [ tickets ] recently offered up their debut effort, "Hello Master."