BENEDICTUM nominated for San Diego Music Award; to perform at Monterey Metal Fest and Power Prog West

San Diego, CA power metal band BENEDICTUM, featuring vocalist extraordinaire Veronica Freeman, guitarist Pete Wells, drummer Blackie Sanchez, keyboardist Chris Morgan, and bassist Jesse Wright, have been nominated in the Best Hard Rock category at this year's San Diego Music Awards. Awards will be handed out on September 18 at Viejas Concerts in the Park with scheduled live performances by P.O.D. and SWITCHFOOT, among others. Balloting is now underway and votes can be cast online through August 31 at:http://www.sandiegomusicawards.com

On the live front, BENEDICTUM has been confirmed for two more festivals following the band's earlier appearances at the Gods of Metal in Italy and Metalway in Gernika and Jerez, Spain. The band will make its Los Angeles live debut on August 27 at Power Prog West alongside NEVERMORE, AGENT STEEL, ZERO HOUR and CAGE before heading south of the border for the third installment of the Monterey Metal Fest, headlined by SLAYER and STRYPER under the Hell and Heaven United banner. BENEDICTUM will be sharing the Second Stage with BLUDGEON, HYDROGYN, DREAMS OF DAMNATION and others. "We had a blast over in Europe at the Gods of Metal and Metalway last month and we are looking forward to playing L.A. and Mexico and finally get in front of all the metalheads closer to home," said vocalist Veronica Freeman. "We've been working on some new music over the last few months so we might even preview a tune or two at these shows before we head back into the studio later this year to record our second album. See you all soon! Horns up!"

BENEDICTUM's highly acclaimed Locomotive Music debut Uncreation was produced by Jeff Pilson (DOKKEN, DIO, FOREIGNER) and features guest appearances by DIO axeman Craig Goldy on the 9-minute epic "Valkyrie Rising" and bass legend Jimmy Bain (DIO, RAINBOW, WORLD WAR III) on the band's cover of the BLACK SABBATH classic "The Mob Rules." Three songs off Uncreation can currently be heard on www.myspace.com/benedictum