Cello metal act Apocalyptica [ tickets ] will mount a headlining US tour in April to support the US release of its most recent studio effort, "World's Collide," due in stores April 15.

The Finnish group--which is composed of three classically trained cellists and a drummer--kicks off its stateside run April 12 in San Diego. The 26-city trek will keep the group in the US through the middle of May, with additional dates to be announced, according to the band's publicist. All currently scheduled dates are included below.

The outfit released "World's Collide," its sixth studio set, in Europe last fall. The disc, which follows the band's self-titled 2005 set, features guest appearances from a number of heavy metal luminaries, including Rammstein's Till Lindemann, Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour, Adam Gontier of Three Days Grace, and Slayer's Dave Lombardo.

The album's first single, "I'm Not Jesus," is currently No. 20 on R&R's Active Rock Radio chart.

Formed in 1993 by four cellists, three of them graduates of Helsinki, Finland's Sibelius Academy, the act gathered attention in its home country for playing covers of Metallica songs in local clubs. The group released its debut record, "Apocalyptica Plays Metallica By Four Cellos," in 1996. After a few lineup changes, the band added a permanent drummer to supplement the cellists in 2005.

Editor's note: This story was edited on 4/3 to include the US release date of "World's Collide," and to reflect changes to the tour itinerary.

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