RATT drummer Bobby Blotzer checks in with the following:

"Hey friends... here are some shots from the Ratt studio sessions. I just finished my drum tracks and it was awesome. You'll dig the new shit I guarantee you...

Definitely a mile above our last record. I liked that record too, but this one is very aggressive and exciting. See you out there on the road soon..."

Check out more photos at this location.

As previously reported, Ratt are in the studio recording their first studio release in ten years.

The new release will be produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who's credits include PUDDLE OF MUD, CHEVELLE, SALIVA, LIMP BIZKIT, ALTER BRIDGE, THREE DAYS GRACE to name a few.

The band will be recording in Mathews, Virginia for the next month or so, the first time outside of Los Angeles to record a Ratt record in 20-plus years.

Ratt recently checked in with the following studio report:

"Bobby (Blotzer) kicked some serious ass on the drum tracks, they are done! Robert Crane (on the bass) is finishing up bass tracks as we write this tonight/today. The band is recording well into the early mornings.

Warren (DeMartini) and Carlos (Cavazo) on guitars will start after the weekend shows.

The band is tracking 12-14 new songs.

Stephen (Pearcy) will start tracking lead vocals next week and back up vocals. The songs are just what you expect from Ratt and what the band wants you to hear!

The producer (Elvis) is doing a great job and giving the band, "the big rock sound"!

The studio is class AAA and right on the beach, a good vibe and some serious ass kickin Ratt n' roll is at hand here.

More news next week..."

As previously reported, Ratt and EXTREME have teamed up to bring you this summer’s most rockin’ tour lineup.

The tour, which will feature sets from both bands with Ratt closing, kicks off on July 12th in Amarillo, TX and runs through August 7th in Hampton Beach, NH. It will cross the US and cover 16 markets, with more to be announced soon.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of their landmark debut Out Of The Cellar, Ratt will be playing the album in its entirety.

Both bands are excited about the double bill. “Warren DeMartini and Nuno Bettencourt on same stage, same night?? ‘Nuff said, we'll see you there!” says Ratt's Bobby Blotzer.

Extreme's Nuno Bettencourt concurs, “One hot summer night. Two bands fully loaded with musicianship. Mix in one part memorable songwriting. Add nine ounces of passionate performers. Throw in three well respected guitarists. Add a touch of West Coast raunch and a hint of East Coast funk. And you get yourself a recipe for one night of unforgettable rock and roll.”

Ratt is currently in the studio recording its first new record in over 10 years with famed producer Elvis Baskette (credits). The band announced its new partnership with Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records earlier this year. The album is planned for release this fall.

Extreme recently released their first new album in thirteen years Saudades de Rock (pronounced “sow-dodge”) which is a groundbreaking record that reaffirms the beloved, Boston-bred foursome’s stature as innovators in the world of rock & roll.

Over the past two years, Ratt has toured the world in support of their releases Tell The World - The Very Best Of Ratt and their first ever DVD, Videos from the Cellar- The Atlantic Years. During this time, the current lineup of Stephen Pearcy, Warren DeMartini, Bobby Blotzer, Robbie Crane and Carlos Cavazo played shows in Australia, Colombia and Peru for the first time in their careers. Their mega-hit 'Round and Round' was prominently featured in the Oscar nominated 2008 film The Wrestler, and the band will be headlining Rocklahoma this July.

One of the most popular rock acts of the past 20 years, Ratt's brand of guitar-driven melodic rock helped shape the LA metal scene. The band boasts a deep catalog of hits including smashes like 'Round and Round', 'Lay It Down', 'You’re In Love', 'Lack of Communication' and 'Wanted Man', which are beloved by fans the world over. The band has gone on to sell millions of albums worldwide. With 1984’s mega-platinum debut Out Of The Cellar celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the band is looking forward to starting a new chapter with new music to complement the impressive legacy they have established over two-plus decades.

To date, the Grammy-nominated Extreme have released five albums, plus a greatest hits set - selling over 10 million records worldwide. They also achieved a #1 hit single, 'More Than Words' - from their 1990 multi-platinum album Extreme II: Pornograffitti - on the Billboard Hot 100, which they followed with the Top Five 'Hole Hearted'. Although these two acoustic hits brought the band great mainstream success, the band’s trademark sound has always been more a mix of hard rock funk - fueled by guitar virtuoso Nuno Bettencourt’s signature style, Gary Cherone’s resonant vocals and socially conscious lyrics, Pat Badger’s rock solid bass, and the hard hitting Kevin Figueiredo on drums. Extreme has recently been introduced to an entire new generation of fans with the inclusion of their song 'Play With Me' in the popular video game Guitar Hero as well as 'More Than Words' featured in hit movies Forgetting Sarah Marshall and The Love Guru.

Tour dates are as follows:

July

10 - Pryor, OK - Rocklahoma **
12 - Amarillo, TX - Midnight Rodeo
13 - San Antonio, TX - Scout Bar
14 - Odessa, TX - Dos Amigos
16 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theater
17 - Los Angeles, CA - Wiltern Theater
18 - Las Vegas, NV - Hard Rock
19 - Anaheim, CA - Grove
22 - Denver, CO - Ogdon Theater
23 - Kansas City - Crossroads
24 - Chicago, IL - House Of Blues
25 - Toledo OH - Harley Davidson-LOT **
26 - Cheswick, PA - Ches-a-rena
28 - New York, NY - Nokia Theater
30 - Westbury, NY - Westbury Theater

August

2 - Allentown, PA - Crock Rock Festival
5 - Springfield, VA - Jaxx ***
6 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
7 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino
8 - Clearfield, PA - ClearfieldCountyFairgrounds **
15 - Sky City, NM - Sky City Casino **
29 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Casino **

** - Ratt only

*** - Extreme only