With the Nov. 2 release date for their album "The Battle of Los Angeles" rapidly approaching, activist-rockers Rage Against the Machine have unveiled the initial stops for a tour of North American arenas.

The tour -- which is scheduled to open Nov. 19 at the Oakland Coliseum -- is currently scheduled to hit 18 major markets before Christmas. Dates for ticket sales haven't been announced.

Rage plans to warm up for the arena tour with a show in Mexico City, then with club dates in Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. The band has appeared in concert sporadically this year -- mostly at major festivals and benefit shows in Europe and the U.S. -- and has been performing some new material.

Rage's Oct. 27 performance in Mexico City will be taped by MTV and will be aired on or near the album's release date, according the official Rage Against the Machine website.

The Nov. 5 club date at the Park Plaza Ballroom in Los Angeles will be broadcast live on Los Angeles radio station KROQ.

On Oct. 12, Rage is scheduled to perform on The Late Show With David Letterman. Other upcoming television appearances include Nov. 3 on MTV's ''Total Request Live'' and Nov. 11 on ''Late Night With Conan O'Brien, according to Epic Records.