Danish metallers VOLBEAT have issued the following update:

"Beyond Hell/Above Heaven has reached platinum sales (200,000 units) in Germany. Together we made it happen. That was something we didn’t dare to dream of to begin with. It’s tough to sell records nowadays, but your support and dedication proved that it’s possible and you cared enough to bring our album into your collection. That’s something we are very proud of, and we want to thank you so much for your Volbeat support. Can’t wait to see you all again and bring you some new Volbeat songs. Together we make it stronger than ever."

Volbeat have tapped Hank Shermann of mighty MERCYFUL FATE to play guitar on their forthcoming slot on Gigantour. The multi-artist bill - with metal heavyweights MEGADETH, MOTÖRHEAD, VOLBEAT and LACUNA COIL, all personally picked by Dave Mustaine - will kick off in early 2012 with dates tentatively set for late January through early March.

The first Gigantour 2012 dates announced are:

January

26 - Susquehanna Bank Center - Camden, NJ
27 - Mohegan Sun Arena - Uncasville, CT
28 - Theater at Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
29 - Tsongas Arena - Lowell, MA

February

1 - Glens Falls Civic Center - Glens Falls, NY
2 - Colisee Pepsi - Quebec City, QC
3 - Bell Centre - Montreal, QC
5 - K-Rock Centre - Kingston, ON
7 - General Motors Centre - Oshawa, ON
8 - Copps Coliseum - Hamilton, ON
9 - Palace of Auburn Hills - Auburn Hills, MI
10 - Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL
12 - Eagles Ballroom - Milwaukee, WI
14 - Myth - St. Paul, MN
16 - Prairieland - Saskatoon, SK
17 - Shaw Conference Centre - Edmonton, AB
18 - Big 4 Building - Calgary, AB
20 - Abbotsford Ent & Sports Centre - Abbotsford, BC
21 - Showare Center - Kent, WA
23 - Event Center at San Jose State University - San Jose, CA
24 - Gibson Amphitheatre - Universal City, CA
25 - Comerica Theatre - Phoenix, AZ
26 - Tingley Coliseum - Albuquerque, NM
28 - The Fillmore Auditorium - Denver, CO

More dates to be announced soon.