Sevendust [ tickets ] keeps its chops up with separate electric and acoustic tours that precede the October release of the metal quintet's new album.

The group's electric outing--which features show-openers Element Eighty [ tickets ] and Presence--kicks off on Thursday (8/14) in New Orleans and stretches through the end of the month. The characteristically thunderous five-piece then reveals its quieter side during an unplugged jaunt that fills much of its September schedule.

The acoustic outing won't feature an opening act; instead, each show will begin with a pre-performance listening party, during which fans will hear the group's forthcoming CD, "Seasons," in its entirety.

Following the acoustic run, Sevendust teams with Staind--which is backing its latest set, "14 Shades of Grey"--for a fall outing that launches in October. Only one early October date (shown below) was confirmed at press time.

All of the activity leads up to the Oct. 7 release of "Seasons," Sevendust's follow-up to 2001's "Animosity." The new album features the cut "Enemy," which the group is offering as a free download at its official website.

A new Sevendust track titled "Leech" turns up on the recently released "Freddy vs. Jason" soundtrack, which Roadrunner Records issued on Tuesday (8/12). The cut is streaming at the album's website.

Texas-based Element Eighty plans to release its major-label debut on Sept. 23. Florida quartet Presence issued its Curb Records debut in May.