Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe to Fill in for Eyehategod’s Mike IX Williams on Upcoming US Tour

First, the bad news: Mike IX Williams’ ongoing health issues mean he’s not going to be able to participate in Eyehategod’s upcoming tour with Discharge and Toxic Holocaust.

Now, the silver lining: Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe will be filling in. Not too shabby, eh?

Says Williams of the decision:

“Once again, rather than cancel an amazing tour, we have chosen for Eyehategod to continue on and give one-thousand-percent. This 2016 Discharge tour is super important to me as that band has been a huge influence on my life, but my health situation right now dictates that I am not able to take the stage and perform to the best of my abilities every single night. This is where our good friend Randy Blythe from Lamb Of God comes into the picture. We’ve known Randall since the early ’90s when Eyehategod would pass through Virginia and he’d offer for us to crash at his crib after our gigs. Great times and we became great friends. To have Mr. Blythe on board as a fill in for me on vocals for this run is a true ‘circle-stays-unbroken’ turn of events! Coming off the heels of Philip Anselmo doing vocals for Eyehategod on two high profile shows [last month’s performances at Southport Music Hall in New Orleans, Louisiana and the 2016 edition of Gwar BQ in Richmond, Virginia respectively], both of these men are at the top of their game. I am getting the medical help I need and will return to the band as soon as possible. Thank you, everybody… “

Blythe adds:

“Anyone who knows me well knows that I am a massive Eyehategod fan. I’ve seen them play more times than I can remember, my old side project covered ‘Dixie Whiskey’ for an Eyehategod tribute album, I wear their merch, I even have a freaking Eyehategod tattoo that I got in New Orleans. They are one of my favorite bands of all time, period. I’ve also been friends with the guys in the band since the ’90s… actually, I knew them before I knew the dudes in my own band, and Eyehategod would often crash at my crib when they came through Richmond. So it’s a bit difficult for me to say, ‘I’m super-happy that I’ve been asked to fill in for Mike IX Williams on this upcoming tour with Discharge and Toxic Holocaust.’ In fact, I can’t honestly say that at all because, once again as a fan and, more importantly, a friend, no one would rather see Mike do this tour more than myself. Mike IX is THE voice of Eyehategod, and I respect him as a friend, musician, and writer way too much to ever think otherwise. What I can say is that I am beyond honored to be serving a brief tour of duty on vocals with Eyehategod for this upcoming run.”

This is very likely going to be a once-in-a-lifetime deal, so you’re stoked on the idea, you best get yourself to a tour dates. Get the full itinerary here.