Sevendust's 'Next' Explodes onto Billboard's Top 200 Albums Chart at #20

Press release
Source: ABC PR

Thanks to the enormous success of their hit single, "Ugly," SEVENDUST's newly-released fifth album, NEXT (WineDark/7Bros Records, distributed by Fontana Distribution, a division of Universal Music and Video Distribution), has debuted on Billboard's "Top 200 Albums" chart at #20 and SoundScan's "Hard Music" chart at #4, selling 41,103 its first week out.

The album also debuted at #1 on the Music Monitor Network "Top 200 Albums" chart, which is compiled from sales at these retail outlets: Bull Moose Music, Cats Music/Pop Tunes/Monster/Sonic, Dimple Records, Gallery of Sound, Graywhale CD Exchange, Independent Records & Video, Rasputin Music, The Record Exchange, Scotti's Record Shop, and Zia Record Exchange.

"Ugly," the album's first single, has been exploding at Rock radio since its release August 9. It's currently bulleted on the following charts: #19 on R&R's "Active Rock"; #24 on Billboard's "Active Rock Tracks"; and #24 on Billboard's "Mainstream Rock Tracks." The P.R. Brown-directed video for "Ugly" can be seen now on Launch.com and is currently being serviced to TV outlets nationwide.

Early sales success is also due in large part to the band's exhaustive promo tour schedule. The band--Lajon Witherspoon (vocals), John Connolly (guitar), Vince Hornsby (bass), Morgan Rose (drums), Sonny Mayo (guitar)--has been criss-crossing the U.S. for the past few weeks meeting with fans, appearing at listening parties at retail outlets, and participating in a variety of radio station-sponsored charity events. They've been playing poker, paintball and softball, bowling, and riding motorcycles, lending their support to various charities including the American Red Cross' Hurricane Katrina relief fund. To date they've helped raise over $10,000.

Monday, October 24 will be an extremely busy day for the band as they're set to make two national radio appearances. That morning they'll appear live on "The Mancow Show" from the program's Chicago studio starting at 9:00am CT. They'll be performing three songs from NEXT and answering questions from host Mancow. Fans should check www.mancow.com for station info. Later that evening, SEVENDUST will be the featured guests on "Rockline," starting at 8:30pm PT/11:30pm ET. Fans are encouraged to call in with questions during the program at (800) 344-ROCK (7625). A complete list of participating stations can be found at www.rocklineradio.com.

Meanwhile, "Pieces" from NEXT will be heard in the forthcoming movie "Saw II" and on the soundtrack album along with songs by Marilyn Manson, Queens of the Stone Age, Mudvayne and more. The album hits stores October 25.

In touring news, SEVENDUST will be heading out with Mudvayne, 10 Years and Bobaflex as part of "The Masters of Horror Tour" starting November 18th at the Val Air Ballroom in Des Moines. Confirmed stops include New York, Chicago, Miami, with more to be announced in the coming weeks. Before the tour commences, they'll perform on October 22 in Kansas City at the Kansas City International Speedway as part of Slipknot's current trek. They're also confirmed to headline the House of Blues in Orlando, FL on New Year's Eve.

For SEVENDUST, the upcoming tour dates can't come soon enough. "Our number one priority right now is to bring the most massive show possible that we can bring to the people who come to see us," declares guitarist John Connolly. "It's going to be brutal. There's not a moment's break. The live show will definitely be the most intense show we have ever seen. So be ready. Be ready for sure."

As drummer Morgan Rose continues, "It's God awful to deal with as a band member. It's gut-wrenching. It's the heaviest set that I could ever imagine us doing." And singer Lajon Witherspoon concludes, "I think what we're doing on this next show is bringing it to a different level. Something we've never done before and I hope everyone likes it, but ultimately it's all about the music and that's what I'm really excited about."

For future updates on SEVENDUST's tour schedule and everything else happening in their world, fans could log onto the band's website.

Related links
www.sevendust.info
www.winedarkrecords.com