Proof that patience is a virtue and 'melodic metal and hardcore' still has a place in the hearts of the UK's most discerning of listeners, Island Records have recently taken the plunge and inked a deal with Watford's Lower Than Atlantis. After quietly (OK, noisily) carving up small venues and unleashing hell on growing record-labels and digital outlets for the best part of four years, the band clearly felt the time was right to make or break, hence the major deal.

But ultimately, it's down to the label taking notice in the first place. The band's last album, the uncompromising 'World Record', set the tone for the deal, especially with just about every key magazine giving it 4 or 5 stars and Metal Hammer's Staff Favourite Album of the Year. Owners of the earliest works will no doubt be pleased at Lower Than Atlantis' current good fortune - they've come a long way since debut EP 'Bretton' and full-length 'Far Q'.

If you're heading to a festival during the summer (in between the drips), you might bump into the Hertfordshire quartet bawling and blasting their way through some new songs, taken from that all-important third album 'Changing Tune' (due for release in September). The lads are performing at the Relentless NASS Festival in Somerset on 7th July, 2000 Trees in Cheltenham on 14th July and the Y-Not Festival on 5th August - and they've just been added to Reading and Leeds Festivals. Good times.

Afterwards though, it's big business as usual with headlining shows. The first tour date is in Exeter on 1st October, followed by Southampton, Bristol, Nottingham and more until winding up in Camden on 11th October. These shows are not in massive venues so you'll need to be quick to grab tickets from us on Friday 15th June, from 9am. Tickets cost around a tenner (or just over for London). Can't wait 'til then? Head to Weymouth on 6th July to watch them headline a triple-bill at the town's pavilion - tickets available now from £12.