Three years of waiting and hoping; three years of The Hard Road and its restrung glory and finally we have been delivered!

‘State of the Art’- the fifth album from Aussie Hip-Hop kings the Hilltop Hoods is one to definitely cause an epidemic of brain explosions.

The album has debuted at #1 this week on the ARIA Album chart, giving the Black Eyed Peas the boot and sending them back to where they belong (with Cher and all her auto-tuned pals).

Of course, the Hoods are no strangers to the top seat – their second album ‘The Hard Road’ also taking out the position in 2006.

To add further fuel to the already roaring fire, ‘State of the Art’ has also reached Gold Sales status within the first week!

AND to top it all off with a huge hip-hop flavoured cherry and some sweet Aussie sugar, ‘State of the Art’ is the fastest selling Australian album of the year!

The national ‘State of the Art’ tour kicks off on July 18 in Sydney, visiting all the states capitols and finishing up in Canberra on August 4.

But don’t get too excited, the shows in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide have already sold out.

Joining the Hoods on their nation tour will be Classified and Briggs, bringing together the best of hip-hop both locally and internationally.

State of the Art National Tour
Saturday July 18th- Enmore, Sydney – SOLD OUT
Thursday July 23rd - Capitol, Perth – SOLD OUT
Friday July 24th - HiFi Bar, Brisbane – SOLD OUT
Sunday July 26th - Splendour In The Grass, Byron Bay – SOLD OUT
Thursday July 30th- Grandstand Hall, Hobart Showground **new venue
Friday July 31st - The Palace, Melbourne – SOLD OUT
Saturday August 1st - Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide – SOLD OUT
Tuesday August 4th - ANU Bar, Canberra

Tickets for remaining shows on sale now …… www.myspace.com/hilltophoods | www.hilltophoods.com

BEAT
“In essence, Hilltop Hoods didn’t just pioneer the current explosion in (quality) Australian Hip Hop - they’re a couple of albums ahead of the curve.”

ROLLING STONE
“The songs are set to blow the local music scene wide open, cementing Hilltop Hoods not just as the country’s premiere hip-hop act, but one of the most defining and influential Australian bands of this decade and the next”.

INPRESS
“Hilltop Hoods fans will be surprised, shocked and subsequently blown away when they experience “State of The Art” - it is a compelling listen”.

THE AGE EG
“Arguably the country’s greatest hip hop act. ‘State of the Art’ is,without doubt, the band’s most accomplished album.”

- Stevey-Lee Ginger