Talk about detonating on impact. The Illusion of Progress, the new album from Flip/Atlantic recording artists Staind, rocketed onto the Billboard 200 this week at #3, making it the fourth consecutive album of the band’s career to debut in the top 3.

News of the album’s explosive arrival follows a flurry of headline-making moves for the multi-platinum band, who recently teamed with online retailer Amazon.com for an innovative pre-release promotion, and have been on a worldwide summer tour, to be followed by a run in Europe with Nickelback in September, and headlining dates with special guests Seether and Papa Roach beginning October 4^th at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD. Fans can go to www.staind.com for ticket information.

The Illusion of Progress is being propelled by chart-topping lead single “Believe,” currently #2 at Modern Rock, #5 at Active Rock, and #4 at Mainstream Rock. The song has already begun crossing over to the Hot AC charts with a debut at #34.  “Believe” is Staind’s fastest-growing hit since “It’s Been Awhile.”

The Illusion of Progress is Staind’s sixth album and the follow-up to 2005’s certified platinum Chapter V. The album was produced by Johnny K and recorded in Lewis’ home studio with guitarist  Mike Mushok , drummer Jon Wysocki, and bassist Johnny April.

Tour dates for STAIND are as follows (additional dates to be confirmed)

DATE               VENUE                                                            CITY

With 3 Doors Down and Hinder

8/27                        WaMu Theater                                                     Seattle, WA

8/29                        Mandalay Bay                                                      Las Vegas, NV    

8/30                        Konocti Field Amphitheater                               Kelseyville, CA

8/31                        Verizon Wireless Amp                                        Irvine, CA (Aaron Lewis solo show)

With Nickelback in Europe

9/8                          Cologne Arena                                                    Cologne
9/9                          Schleyerhalle                                                       Stuttgart

9/12                        Odyssey Arena                                                    Belfast

9/13                        RDS Simmonscourt                                            Dublin

9/15                        MEN Arena                                                           Manchester

9/16                        Sheffield Arena                                                    Sheffield

9/18                        The NEC                                                               Birmingham

9/19                        o2 Arena                                                               London

9/21                        Wembley Arena                                                   London

10/3                        Turning Stone                                                      Verona, NY (Staind only)

With Seether and Papa Roach

10/4                        Merriweather Post Pavilion                               Columbia, MD
10/7                        Greensboro Special Events Center                 Greensboro, NC
10/9                        Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino          Hollywood, FL
10/10                      St. Augustine Amphitheater                               St. Augustine, FL
10/12                      Hard Rock Live                                                    Orlando, FL        

10/14                      Heritage Park                                                       Simpsonville (Greenville), SC
10/15                      Freedom Hall Civic Center                                Johnson City, TN
10/17                      The Amphitheater at the Warf                           Orange Beach, AL
10/18                      Snowden Grove Park Amphitheatre                Southaven, MS

10/19                      Lakewood Amphitheater                                    Atlanta, GA
10/21                      Black River Coliseum                                         Poplar Bluff, MO
10/22                      Rockford MetroCentre                                        Rockford, IL
10/24                      Tulsa Convention Center Arena                                      Tulsa, OK  

10/26                      Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion                     Houston, TX
11/12                      Mohegan Sun Casino                                        Uncasville, CT (with Papa Roach only)

11/14                      Sovereign Center                                                Reading, PA (with Papa Roach only)
11/15                      Asbury Park Convention Hall Complex          Asbury Park, NJ         

11/16                      Tsongas Arena                                                    Lowell, MA 
11/18                      Hammerstein Ballroom                                      New York, NY