Metal fans can begin pledging their allegiance to the heaviest of the heavy on September 14, when Slipknot, System of a Down, Rammstein and Mudvayne kick off a fall tour together in Chicago.

The Pledge of Allegiance Tour will hit North America for six weeks, ending on Halloween night in New York, Slipknot's Roadrunner Records publicist said Wednesday (August 15). Seven dates have been announced and more are expected by early next week. (Click for photos of Slipknot at Ozzfest 2001.)

Minneapolis shock rockers American Head Charge will open the outing.

Publicists for the Pledge of Allegiance Tour said in May that Slipknot and System of a Down plan to stage the tour annually (see ). System of a Down were in talks to play on the Family Values Tour headlined by Stone Temple Pilots this fall, but opted for the more metal-heavy trek.

Both Slipknot and System of a Down will be promoting new albums. Slipknot's Iowa is due August 28 (see ). Toxicity, System of a Down's second album (see "System Of A Down's Schizophrenia Aggravated On Toxicity"), featuring the current single "Chop Suey!," is due September 4.

Pledge of Allegiance Tour dates confirmed so far, according to Roadrunner:

  • 9/14 - Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena
  • 9/15 - St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
  • 9/16 - Omaha, NE @ Civic Arena
  • 9/18 - Cedar Rapids, IA @ US Cellular Center
  • 9/21 - Denver, CO @ Denver Coliseum
  • 9/25 - Portland, OR @ Rose Garden Amphitheatre
  • 9/29 - Sacramento, CA @ Arco Arena

For more on Slipknot, check out the feature