“American Carnage” was supposed to launch in January, but ongoing back problems for Slayer’s Tom Araya forced the band to postpone the tour.
But this time it looks like a go for Araya and Slayer. The vocalist / frontman underwent a procedure called Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion last week and is now recovering.
“The doctors said that Tom’s surgery went very smoothly and was a resounding success, Slayer manager Rick Sales said. “He’s home now, doing really well, and he said the numbness in his fingers had already diminished.”
Evidently Araya felt the surgery was a success almost as soon as we woke up from the anesthetic. Shortly after the procedure Araya sent a text message to Slayer’s Kerry King, saying “Awake and feeling good, actually whatever he did, it feels better.”
The Slayer / Megadeth “American Carnage” tour also features special guest Testament, marking the first time all three bands have toured the U.S. together since the 1991 “Clash of the Titans” tour.
The tour begins in Canada in Quebec City at the Pavillion de la Jeunesse July 23. Montreal at the Parc Jean Drapeau is July 24, Halifax at the Metro Centre is set for July 26; Toronto at the Molson Amphitheatre hosts the bands July 29 and London, On., at The John Labatt Centre is scheduled for July 30.
After a short break that takes Slayer and Megadeth to Europe to play with Metallica on a few festival dates, American Carnage returns to conquer the U.S. beginning Aug. 11 in Glens Falls, N.Y., at the Glen Falls Civic Center.
Other dates include East Rutherford, N.J., at the Izod Center Aug. 12; Boston at Tsongas Arena Aug. 14; Detroit at Joe Louis Arena Aug. 19; Chicago at UIC Pavilion Aug. 20; Phoenix at Dodge Theatre Aug. 27 and San Francisco at the Cow Palace Aug. 31. Last date on the tour is near Portland, Ore, at the Washington County Fair Complex Sept. 4.
Tickets purchased for the original American Carnage dates will be honored for the rescheduled shows. However, because of venue availability and other conflicts, shows originally scheduled for El Paso, Houston, Nashville, Duluth and Louisville will not be rescheduled and ticket holders can obtain refunds at point of purchase.
For more ticket information, click here for Slayer’s Web site, here for Megadeth’s Web site and here for Testament’s Web site.