Hail! have announced that they will go forward with their planned European summer touring despite the recent death of Slipknot bassist Paul Gray. Gray had been tapped to handle the bass duties for the band following the departure of David Ellefson from the outfit. In Gray’s place will be former Megadeth bassist, James Lomenzo. Ironically Ellefson originally left Hail! to replace Lomenzo in Megadeth.

Speaking on the swap and Gray’s passing, HAIL! offered the following statement:

“On Monday we were dealt a devastating blow with Paul’s passing two days before our departure. We discussed the situation and unanimously thought that in the face of this tragedy we needed to remain strong and push forward because Paul would have vehemently insisted that the show must go on. In a desperate situation we made an emergency call to James Lomenzo and James responded with a Herculean effort, on only one day’s notice, to fly to Portugal and rescue the Rock In Rio Festival. His immediate and unselfish call to arms single-handedly saved this entire tour.”

James Lomenzo has had a long and very successful career, having played with White Lion, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society and most recently Megadeth.

HAIL! have epitomized the old-school unity and brotherhood of the metal culture that they have all grown out of and this is another example of that close knit circle of friends coming together to help in a time of need.”

Dates for the trek run as follows:

May 30th Lisbon, POR – Rock In Rio Festival
June 01st Novosibirsk, SIB – Izjum
June 02nd Tomsk, SIB – Fakal
June 03rd Omsk, SIB – Kristall
June 04th Ekaterinburg, RUS – TeleClub
June 05th Moscow, RUS – Tochka
June 06th Kiev, UKR – Bingo
June 08th Helsinki, FIN – Dante’s Highlight
June 09th Tallin, EST – Rock Cafe
June 11th Kouvala, FIN – House Of Rock
June 12th Tampere, FIN – Sauna Open Air Festival
June 14th Madrid, SPA – Rock In Rio Festival

Megadeth have officially reunited with original bassist David Ellefson. The official press release on the matter can be found below:

Megadeth founder and frontman Dave Mustaine has announced the return of original bassist David Ellefson (1983-2002) to the iconic multi-platinum group. This reunion is appropriately timed to Megadeth’s upcoming historic month-long Rust In Peace 20th anniversary tour which launches March 1 in Spokane, WA. At these incredibly special shows, Megadeth will play their landmark, genre-defining 1990 album Rust In Peace in its entirety, in addition to other Megadeth favorites.

“This shows the power of brotherly love and forgiveness,” Mustaine says. “David Ellefson belongs in Megadeth. Next we are going to show you the power of getting your asses kicked…HARD!”

David Ellefson concurs: “This is a huge moment for all of us, band and fans alike. It is a great celebration of the music from one of the biggest landmark albums of our career.”

Ellefson will join Mustaine and Megadeth band members Shawn Drover (drums) and Chris Broderick (guitar) on tour in support of the group’s current CD Endgame, which has received some of the highest critical accolades of the band’s career.

“We’d like to thank James LoMenzo for several years of loyal service on the bass, and wish him the very best,” Mustaine adds.