Give the boys of Biohazard this much... they know a thing or two about atmosphere.

The Brooklyn-bred band returns to record stores this week with "New World Disorder," and once again the band's familiar marriage of metal aggression and hip-hop attitude is back. Owing as much to Grandmaster Flash as Iron Maiden, the band began building a bridge between rock and hip-hop in 1990 and has gone on to influence a fleet of artists like Korn, Rage Against The Machine, and Limp Bizkit.

Biohazard's sound owes as much to the Brooklyn streets the band haunts as it does to any specific artist, and the group says that the biggest influence on "New World Disorder" may have been Rat Piss Studios, a charming little hole buried somewhere under the Manhattan Bridge. The dark, damp, rat-infested studio serves as ground zero for Biohazard; it hosts the band's rehearsal sessions and provides the group with the perfect setting in which to write new material.

We try to make it nice," drummer Danny

Schuler told MTV News of Biohazard's home base. "We got a couch and a couple of chairs, lamps, so when people come down, they feel at home. [article id="1439684"]So we lifted up the pillows, we were like, 'What the hell's that smell?' We lifted up the thing and there's a giant rat's rotting carcass."[/article]

[article id="1439684"]"They crawl up in the power amps and fall asleep by the tubes and die,"[/article] guitarist Rob Echeverria added.

Yes, lest you wonder where the studio gets its name, the band says that in addition to ventilation and moisture problems, there is also a big-time rodent problem. With all of the band's gear resting on wooden pallets to avoid water on the floor, the rats have plenty of room to run, and attempts to poison the rats only lead to discoveries such as the one Schuler mentioned earlier.

[article id="1439684"]"That adds to the Biohazard thing, like you have to be comfortable in your environment,"[/article]

guitarist/vocalist Billy Graziadei noted. [article id="1439684"]"Like, you can't throw us into a posh, nice place with hardwood floors."[/article]

[article id="1439684"]"Sure you can,"[/article] Schuler exclaimed.

[article id="1439684"]"It wouldn't be bad,"[/article] bassist/vocalist Evan Seinfeld said. [article id="1439684"]"Let's go... you got one?"[/article]

[article id="1439684"]"Okay, you know what, it's just me that feels comfortable at Rat Piss Studios,"[/article] Graziadei added. [article id="1439684"]"Everyone else doesn't want to be there." [RealVideo][/article]

Fortunately, the guys will soon be on the road getting at least a little bit of fresh air. After a few headlining dates, the band will hook up with Insane Clown Posse and Coal Chamber for a two-month tour that kicks off on July 7. Here's where you can catch Biohazard:

Biohazard headlining:

• 6/11 - Old

Bridge, NJ @ Birch Hill

6/12 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance

6/14 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza

6/15 - State College, PA @ Crowbar

6/18 - Wallingford, CT @ Extreme Skate Park

6/19 - Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero

6/20 - Providence, RI @ Lupo's

6/22 - Albany, NY @ Northern Light

6/24 - Buffalo, NY @ Showplace Theater

6/25 - Columbus, OH @ Al Rosa

6/26 - Detroit, MI @ Harpo's

6/27 - Chicago, IL @ Metro

ICP/ Biohazard/Coal Chamber:

• 7/7 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
• 7/8 - Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
• 7/9 - Pittsburgh, PA @ I.C. Light Amphitheater
• 7/10 - Toledo, OH @ Sports Arena
• 7/11 - Columbus, OH @ Brewery Dis. Pavilion
• 7/13 - Cleveland, OH @ Nautica
• 7/15 - Fort Wayne, IN @ Ft. Wayne Coliseum
• 7/16 - Louisville, KY @ Louisville Gardens
• 7/17 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade Music Park
• 7/18 - Tampa, FL @ Ice Palace
• 7/22 - Houston, TX @ Aerial Theatre
• 7/23 - San Antonio, TX @ Sunken Gardens