DEAR PERIPHERY, WELCOME TO SUMERIAN. NOW GO TOUR YOUR ASSES OFF.

Told ya so.

Now that Periphery have signed with Sumerian Records, expect them to take their prototypical brand of Sumeriancore on the road… a LOT. See, the Sumerian guys are smart — rather than banking on selling records, a futile business model in 2009 if ever there was one, Sumerian bases their financial model on touring the hell out of their bands (and we’d have to guess that the label participates in this income stream as well), an easy feat because the label is half-owned by booking agent Ash Avildsen. It makes perfect sense in terms of artist development too — no better way to break a band than to get them directly in front of potential fans.

So we’ll be seeing a lot of Periphery in support slots on tours in the coming months, methinks. Sure, Sumerian will put an album out, but that’ll serve more as a talking point / press event to drive interest in the band and get them out on the road. And this is a good thing — Periphery are a phenomenal live band. Along with After the Burial and The Faceless, they’re probably Sumerian’s best. Now there’s a tour I’d like to see… how about it, Ash?

-VN