Karl Sanders Misses Nile Performance at Hellfest Due to Illness, Band Performs as Trio
South Carolina death metallers Nile were a man down for their set at Hellfest this weekend, as the band’s frontman Karl Sanders had to miss his first show with the band in nearly two decades. According to a post by Sanders on the band’s social media, Sanders fell seriously ill after the band’s performance at Belgian heavy metal festival Graspop and has since been hospitalized in Belgium. Here’s what Sanders had to say on social media:
“I’m heartbroken to share that I became seriously ill after Graspop and have been in an emergency hospital this week in Belgium. As a result, I am going to have to miss Nile’s performance at Hellfest. This is the first time in 19 years that I, personally, have not played a show due to illness, and it’s incredibly hard for me to disappoint you all. Over the many years of my career with Nile, I have played shows while combating broken bones, neck injuries, back injuries, hand and wrist injuries, and all conceivable varieties of tour flu and infection sicknesses. If there were any way at all for me to make the show at Hellfest, believe me I would be there to participate in Metal. It’s just not possible this time.
“However, in the spirit of metal perseverance, the other members of Nile – George, Dan, and Zach – will be there to play the show as a three-piece. Please show them your support as they bravely give it their all to bring you the music that we in Nile love to share. Your energy and enthusiasm will make all the difference to create an unforgettable experience for everyone. It will make me happy to see videos of epic moshing and classic Nile chants at Hellfest from my sickbed!
“Thank you for your understanding and support. I appreciate all of you, and will see you back on tour with the guys in September.”
We wish Sanders a speedy recovery. Thankfully, it seems unlikely that this is going to ruin the tour. What tour? The world tour. If you want to catch Nile with the full band this fall, here’s where to catch them:
NILE Underworld Europe Tour 2024:
September 3, 2024 – Essen, GER @ Turock
September 4, 2024 – Amstelveen, HOL @ P60
September 5, 2024 – Bristol, UK @ The Fleece
September 6, 2024 – Glasgow, UK @ Slay
September 7, 2024 – Dublin, IRE @ Opium
September 8, 2024 – Belfast, N.IRE @ Limelight2
September 10, 2024 – Manchester, UK @ Rebellion
September 11, 2024 – London, UK @ Underworld
September 12, 2024 – Drachten, HOL @ Iduna
September 13, 2024 – Uden, HOL @ De Pul
September 14, 2024 – Brugge, BEL @ Het Entrepot
September 15, 2024 – Mannheim, GER @ MS Connexion Complex
September 17, 2024 – Barcelona, SP @ Salamandra
September 18, 2024 – Valencia, SP @ Almassera
September 19, 2024 – Sevilla, SP @ Custom
September 20, 2024 – Lisbon, POR @ RCA
September 21, 2024 – Porto, POR @ Hard Club
September 22, 2024 – Madrid, SP @ Mon
September 24, 2024 – Moncalieri (TI), ITA @ Audiodrome
September 25, 2024 – Rome, ITA @ Largo
September 26, 2024 – Modena, ITA @ Notte Tempio
September 27, 2024 – Aarau, CH @ KiFF
September 28, 2024 – San Dona’ Di Piave, ITA @ Revolver
September 29, 2024 – Munich, GER @ Backstage
NILE Japan Tour 2024:
October 8, 2024 – Tokyo @ Space Odd
October 9, 2024 – Tokyo @ Space Odd
October 10, 2024 – Osaka @ Varon
NILE in Bangkok:
October 12, 2024 – Bangkok, TH @ Mr. Fox Live House
NILE Australia & New Zealand Tour 2024:
October 15, 2024 – Perth, AU @ Milk Bar / Civic Hotel
October 16, 2024 – Adelaide, AU @ The Gov
October 17, 2024 – Brisbane, AU @ The Brightside
October 18, 2024 – Melbourne, AU @ Max Watts
October 19, 2024 – Hobart, AU @ Uni Bar
October 20, 2024 – Sydney, AU @ Crowbar
October 22, 2024 – Auckland, NZ @ Whammy
