Québec metal veterans Voivod have cancelled their upcoming U.S. tour dates with BAT, citing a family health emergency within the band’s circle.
The band announced the cancellation this weekend, just weeks after completing the Canadian leg of their North American tour. The U.S. dates were scheduled to begin October 8, but Voivod said it cannot commit to new dates at this time.
“It is with heavy hearts that we must cancel the US tour dates with BAT due to family health emergency in the Voivod clan,” the band wrote in a statement shared on social media. “We would like to say postponed and give you a new time period but Voivod can’t commit to any dates right now.”
Tickets will be refunded at the original point of sale, with the band asking fans to allow several days for ticketing systems to be updated.
The cancellation follows a difficult year for the band and its extended family. In August, Voivod revealed that several people close to the group are dealing with health issues.
Eric “E-Force” Forrest, who fronted Voivod during the 1990s, has been battling prostate cancer while continuing to perform with the band in place of vocalist Denis “Snake” Bélanger. Snake has stepped away from touring to support his partner, Christine, who is undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer.
The band also disclosed that Carol Langevin, brother of drummer Michel “Away” Langevin, is fighting pancreatic cancer.
“This year has been a hard one for the Voivod family,” the band wrote at the time, asking its longtime fan community, known as the Iron Gang, to support the family through donations and by sharing fundraising campaigns.
