Leyla got to go the recent “An Evening with Amon Amarth” North American headlining tour, in which the band played two sets — their entire new (awesome awesome awesome) album, Surtur Rising, and a set of classics — and it sounds like she had a great time. But due to a scheduling conflict, Vince and I missed it. And we were really, really sad about that. I’m not being facetious in the slightest — we were totally bummed out.

Lucky for us, and any other poor bastards who didn’t get to go, the band is coming back for a second round in August! So… thank Odin for second chances. I’m so happy we’ll get to see one of these shows after all.

(And on a semi-related note, I know some people have been asking when we’re gonna announce winners for the beard growing contest. Well, believe it or not, some of the winners don’t seem to be responding to their e-mails! So check your inboxes and spam folders, people! And hopefully we can finally announce the winners really, really soon.)

Here are dates… I’m gonna start growing my beard now in preparation. I think I can have a pretty gnarly one goin’ by August…

8/04/2011 Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, BC
8/06/2011 Macewan Hall – Calgary, AB
8/07/2011 Edmnton Events Centre – Edmonton, AB
8/08/2011 Odeon – Saskatoon, SK
8/09/2011 The Garrick Centre – Winnipeg, MB
8/12/2011 The Phoenix Theatre – Toronto, ON
8/13/2011 Metropolis – Montreal, QC
8/14/2011 Imperial de Quebec – Quebec City, QC
8/16/2011 Mr. Small’s – Millvale, PA
8/17/2011 St. Andrew’s Hall – Detroit, MI
8/19/2011 Ram’s Head Live – Baltimore, MD
8/20/2011 Starland Ballroom – Sayerville, NJ
8/21/2011 Water Street Music Hall – Rochester, NY
8/23/2011 Expo Five – Louisville, KY
8/24/2011 The Rave – Milwaukee, WI
8/26/2011 House Of Blues – Houston, TX
8/27/2011 House Of Blues – Dallas, TX
8/29/2011 Sunshine Theatre – Albuquerque, NM
8/31/2011 House Of Blues – Anaheim, CA
9/01/2011 House Of Blues – Las Vegas, NV
9/02/2011 The Complex – Salt Lake City, UT
9/03/2011 The Knitting Factory – Boise, ID

-AR