CHIMAIRA, IN FLAMES And TRIVIUM Members Fill In For RANDY BLYTHE At LAMB OF GOD Concert (Video)

Matt Heafy Lamb of God

LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe was forced to miss the band’s last night’s show in Grand Rapids, Michigan after testing positive for COVID-19.

Filling in for him at the gig were singers of two of the groups who are currently on tour with LAMB OF GODTRIVIUM‘s Matt Heafy and IN FLAMES‘ Anders Fridén, as well as Mark Hunter of CHIMAIRA. Fan-filmed video of the concert is available below.

Blythe shared the following statement on social media: “After two years, the ‘rona finally got me. Regrettably, the symptoms of COVID look pretty much exactly like regular tour life for me- achey/sore throat/headache (I’m 51 years old, I scream & jump around like a maniac to very loud music for over an hour each night, so of course I ache & have a sore throat & a headache- that’s just called ‘tour’), so I thought what I was feeling was just normal. However, after my throat got worse, just to be safe I took a test, & it popped up positive. I IMMEDIATELY isolated myself from my band & all other humans, contacted anyone I had been near to let them know, & will continue to isolate until I am no longer contagious.”

“This is the correct, ethical thing to do- what feels like a really bad cold to me could mean something very, very different to an immuno-compromised person who is unable to be vaccinated like I am, or an elderly person,” he continued. “I am already feeling better, but in order to protect my band, our fans, and the health of the tour, I have to miss tonight’s show. This sucks, but it’s the cost of doing business these days. Our old friend Mark Hunter of CHIMAIRA fame will return to the stage & fill in for me tonight- thank you, Mark, you’re a solid dude & I know you will kill it! I only wish I could be there to see it! I hope to be back onstage later this week.

“Thanks for your understanding in advance- this is nothing I wanted to happen, but I am doing my best to do the right thing here.”

LAMB OF GOD is currently on the road in North America with MEGADETHTRIVIUM and IN FLAMES as part of their “The Metal Tour Of The Year.” Rest of the dates and tickets can be found here.