Welsh industrial town Merthyr Tydfil has long been unfairly derided by critics as being short on life expectancy and long on unemployment, yet remains a proud area of choirs, language and history. More recently, 'the kids' have been contributing to its future by knocking out band after band and musician after musician, particularly within rock and metal. Alabama 3, Lostprophets and even the flippin' Osmonds can be traced back to the area.

Keeping metal alive in Merthyr (and beyond) right now are The Blackout who have come on in leaps and bounds since forming nearly ten years ago. Very much a part of the healthy rock scene in South wales, alongside Kids in Glass Houses and Funeral For a Friend et al, Sean Smith and co have slowly but surely built a solid fanbase since the release of their debut-album, 'We Are The Dynamite', back in 2007. Subsequent releases have been born of more lucrative fruit with both 'The Best in Town' and last year's 'Hope' making the Top 40. And a real test of their mettle (sorry) came this year when Sum 41 dropped out of the Kerrang! Relentless Tour due to ill health - in stepped The Blackout and hushed the haters.

To round off 2012, the band have just completed album number four. Called 'Start the Party', it's expected to hit shelves and servers sometime in January 2013, at around the same time as their next tour will be starting! Confirmed 2013 shows include Glasgow on 20th January, followed by Newcastle, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Camden and Manchester. We'll have tickets on sale from 9am on Friday 21st September, priced from around £13.50 upwards.

Beforehand, you can catch them touring in October as well - shows in Leeds, Bournemouth, Oxford and Camden (again) are still up for a bit less at £12.50.