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Clutch takes to the road for 'Oblivion'

Hard-rock band Clutch is continuing its run of dates to support its new album, "From Beale Street to Oblivion," which arrived in stores today (3/27).

The group--which includes singer Neil Fallon, guitarist Tim Sult, bassist Dan Maines, drummer Jean-Paul Gaster and organist Mick Schauer--is about to embark on a European tour and will return to the States May 11 for another round of shows. The band's current North American itinerary is below; overseas dates can be found at its website.

Produced by Joe Barresi (Tool, Queens of the Stone Age), "From Beale Street to Oblivion" is "probably the most 'live' album we have recorded," Fallon said in a press release. "We went out for a few weeks, and played the music on the road. So, when we went into the studio, all of us knew exactly what was going to happen--a first for Clutch. I don't know why we haven't done it this way all along; it's so much easier.

"We also recorded the basic tracks directly onto tape. Nothing digital in there at all. We haven't done that since 'The Elephant Riders.' And this record has a few more bluesy elements than has been the case in the past, but nothing so blatant that it could be called alien to what we do."

Fallon said musically the band has become more of a "rock 'n' roll" band as opposed to metal or hardcore.

"Our style is riff oriented, with a swing. It's never been a calculated move; we just followed our instinct, and that is leading us closer to those bands to whom we listened in our childhood. Bands which are now termed as 'classic rock'."