Chicago-based instrumental rock heavyweights Russian Circles - probably the best band this pair of ears heard at this year's South By Southwest schmindustry do - are to play their first-ever UK dates in August as support to Tool.

The three-piece - pictured - kick off their UK dates at Brixton Academy. Like, welcome to England guys - here's a shit load of mental Tool fans. Good luck!

Dates! (All Tool dates sold out.)

August
21 London Brixton Academy with Tool
22 London Brixton Academy with Tool
23 Manchester Apollo with Tool

Add dates to your gig calendar here

Further UK dates - headline dates - are being booked as you read this, including (hopefully!) a DiS-associated show in London. That's strictly TBC, though... but keep them crossed.

In totally related news, Russian Circles' debut album of last year, Enter, is to receive a proper UK release later this year via Black Records. Visit said label's MySpace here, and read the DiS review of Enter here.

I am so excited!

Photograph by Ryan Russell