AMERICAN instrumental metal band Animals As Leaders have been forced to cancel a string of tour dates.
The band were supposed to land in Australia in September but it’s now been cancelled after drummer Matt Garstka suffered a serious injury.
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Subsequently, tour dates in Mexico and South America have also been cancelled.
The group took to their Instagram page to share the unfortunate news with their 245,000 followers.
They began: “To our fans in Mexico, South America and Australia. We have some unfortunate news. We’re going to have to cancel our upcoming tour dates.
“Matt sustained a serious arm injury that requires surgery, and there’s no way we can perform without him.
“Rather than leave things up in the air, we’re calling it now and putting our full focus into writing the next Animals As Leaders album.
“New material is already in the works, and we’ll have more to share soon.
“We know this news sucks – especially for those of you who’ve been waiting a long time to see us live. Cancelling isn’t something we take lightly.
“Thank you for sticking with us. We’ll make it back to your cities with new music and a set that hits even harder. Respect. Animals As Leaders,” they signed off.
Their fans rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts as one said: “This is how good AAL is. Someone gets hurt, nobody is capable of filling in. Get well soon Matt!”
Another understanding fan penned: “I just wish Matt a quick recovery and that you can play the full Joy Of Motion album whenever you can come around.
“I was really anticipating the chance to see if full but everyone’s health is more important.”
Somebody else expressed: “Dude is so much of a legend, no one can fill in! Get well soon Matt. I know CMDX show will be worth the wait.”
While a fourth added: “Wishing Matt a safe recovery, hope surgery goes well! Hope you guys can be back on stage soon.”
The tour would have marked the band’s debut visit Down Under to support metal group Car Bomb.
We wish our brother Matt a quick and full recovery and hope we’ll be able to finally make it over to Australia soon.”
Car Bomb
Car Bomb said of the cancellation: “Due to the unfortunate incident of Matt Garstka suffering an arm injury, our upcoming tour with Animals As Leaders has been cancelled.
“This would have been our first time playing Australia, so it pains us to say we will not be performing for y’all this September.
“We wish our brother Matt a quick and full recovery and hope we’ll be able to finally make it over to Australia soon.”
Aside from Matt, the group is also comprised of lead guitarist Tosin Abasi and Javier Reyes on rhythm guitar, all hailing from Washington DC.
They first formed in 2009, with the line-up seeing some changes, with past members including Chebon Littlefield, Matt Halpern and Navene Koperweis.
Animals As Leaders released their self-titled debut album with Prosthetic Records in 2009.
They have since released the albums Weightless (2011), The Joy of Motion (2014), The Madness of Many (2016) and Parrhesia (2022).
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