MANTIC RITUAL guitarist Jeff Potts checks in with the following band update:

"“Hey ladies and gents! Jeff here, arriving fashionably late to the ‘year-ending band blog’ party. So, without further delay, let's sum up the last year and what we've been up to lately.

2009 was a very productive and rewarding year for us. Starting in January [2009], we kicked off our first major tour supporting ROTTING CHRIST with our new friends EPICUREAN. It was a cold and trying journey, but we learned a lot, made a lot of friends, and what didn't kill us certainly made us stronger.

After a brief break at home, we hit the road with the legendary DESTRUCTION and KRISIUN in March and April. Our debut album, Executioner, was released on Nuclear Blast Records during this tour. Again we found new friends, new challenges, and lots of good times. Another month or two at home, and in June and July we once again headed off into the sunset with PRO-PAIN and SWORN ENEMY to play 39 shows in 40 days! This would be our last tour with our singer/guitarist Dan Wetmore, who left the band to pursue other goals. As we said before, we wish him the best in his future endeavors.

We immediately contacted our good friend Dave Watson to fill in on vocals and guitar for our week long tours in September and October (with CAULDRON/ENFORCER and 3 INCHES OF BLOOD/CHILDREN), and things worked so well that we soon asked him to join the band as a permanent member.

With the freshly solidified lineup (and a slightly increased average in age and height), we managed to squeeze in one more tour in November and December with MARDUK, NACHTMYSTIUM and MERRIMACK. For the sixth time last year, we had a great time seeing familiar faces and making new fans and friends. This was Dave's first month-long tour and - being the super-talented and lovable guy that he is - he surpassed our expectations, making us sure that we've made the right choice by asking him to be a part of the band.

Which brings us to now! For the first time in a year, we're at home and we're doing something other than planning our next heavy-metal-family-roadtrip: We're writing and rehearsing new material (some of which was heard on the Marduk tour) for our second album. I don't want to create any false hopes or break any promises down the road, so I'm not going to say when the writing will be done or when the recording will take place, BUT, I can tell you that we're all really excited about the new songs and that old and new fans alike will agree that they're a step up from what we've done so far.

Going on six tours (with 13 other bands) in one year has done a lot to inspire and educate us, so we're all pretty full of new ideas, lyrics, riffs, licks, songs, etc., and we can't wait to share them with all of you. As soon as we're done, we'll be in the studio and back on the road as soon as possible!

In short - thanks to everyone who came out to see us on tour, gave us a place to crash, bought the album, or gave us any support over the last year! There are way too many of you to mention individually, but you know who you are.

Fun fact: Because Adam and I didn't type this one together, this may be our first ever blog that doesn't contain a Wayne's World reference.

See you real soon!”

Visit Mantic Ritual online at this location.