Backstage Entertainment caught up with VOLBEAT / ex-ANTHRAX guitarist Rob Caggiano at this year's edition of the Lazerfest, which took place in Boone, IA on May 10th at the Central Iowa Expo. Check out the video interview below:

As previously reported, Toronto rocker DANKO JONES' recent official podcast (#44) featured Caggiano as a guest, and they talked about THE DAMNED THINGS, Anthrax, joining Volbeat, TEMPLE OF THE BLACK MOON and KING DIAMOND. Check it out below:

Monster Energy's Rock Allegiance Tour - featuring Volbeat, H.I.M., ALL THAT REMAINS and AIRBOURNE on the bill - has announced the first round of tour dates, which are posted below.

"The fans have made our North American visits thus far this year great fun and truly memorable," Volbeat frontman Michael Poulsen said. "We are looking forward to headlining Monster Energy's Rock Allegiance festival tour this summer, and sharing the stage with H.I.M., All That Remains and Airbourne."

Tour dates and on-sale information will announced in the coming days.

This year marks the third installment for Monster Energy's Rock Allegiance. The event launched as a traveling tour back in 2011. The following year, it became a "destination festival" in Hershey, Pennsylvania that featured STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, THREE DAYS GRACE, SEETHER, BUCKCHERRY, FUEL, DAUGHTRY and more, commandeering Hersheypark Stadium over the Labor Day Weekend.

The fest returns to the road in 2013, which is exactly where it belongs. The tour will bring American audiences the very best that rock music as a whole has to offer, with a decidedly international feel. Rock music is a universal language and all the acts on this tour embody the spirit of rock 'n' roll without borders.

Danish superstars Volbeat, who have enjoyed #1 status at active rock radio, will share the stage with H.I.M., a cult favorite from Finland whose fans are disciple-like in their devotion. All That Remains have scratched and clawed their way out of Massachusetts and rocketed up the radio charts over the past half-decade, all the while keeping a firm foothold in the hard rock/metal scene. Airbourne have been making a name for themselves ever since emerging from Australia, armed with plenty of riffs and just as much attitude.

Watch a tour promo spot below:

Dates include:

August

24 - Twin Lakes, Wisconsin - Shadow Hill Ranch Festival
31 - Tulsa, Oklahoma - Convention Center

September

3 - Salt Lake City, Utah - Maverick Centre
4 - Las Vegas, Nevada - The Joint at the Hard Rock
6 - Seattle, Washington - KISW Pain in the Grass
19 - Houston, Texas - Bayou Music Center
22 - Atlanta, Georgia - Tabernacle
27 - Boston, Massachusetts - Tsongas Arena
28 - Brooklyn, New York - Brooklyn Waterfront

More dates will be announced after Memorial Day Weekend, so be on the lookout for further details, date and information soon. Further details at this location.