For seven weeks last summer, the underground rose up and the people flocked in droves as 23 independent Metal, hardcore, black metal, death metal, thrash, and metalcore bands united to spread their piercing individual sounds across the land. In 2005, the premiere Sounds of the Underground tour was so successful, in fact, that by the end of the journey there was little doubt that the show would become an annual event. The only question was who would be on the bill. Now, at long last, the secret can be revealed.

Once again, the tour will feature a wide array of bands from a variety of genre, SOTU proudly announces this year's headliner Southern California based As I Lay Dying, Florida death metal legends Cannibal Corpse, Swedish melodic death metal veterans In Flames and Florida neo-thrash metal champions Trivium will be among those featured on the tour.

Also on the bill will be Detroit modern death metal marauders Black Dahlia Murder, Polish black metal virtuosos Behemoth and (former Norma Jean Vocalist latest band) The Chariot and South Carolina death metal revivalists Through The Eyes Of The Dead . Returning from last year to spread their sickness once again is Antarctica's alien metal band GWAR, also returning for the entire run of SOTU 2006 is Southern California hardcore hooligans Terror. Additional artists may join in the upcoming weeks.

One of the organizers and Ferret Music Partner Paul Conroy states, "We are very excited for this year's Sounds of the Underground," says Paul Conroy, "Artists such as As I Lay Dying, In Flames, Cannibal Corpse and Terror all show the diversity within the heavy music scene that we are proud to have represent our tour. From top to bottom this bill will have something for everyone."

In order to keep concertgoers charged and focused and grant them more exposure to the bands on the bill, Sounds of the Underground has reduced the size of its lineup and increased the length of the set times. As a result, each performance will be more like a mini-concert instead of a variety show appearance.