Randy Blythe, vocalist for new wave of American heavy metal band Lamb Of God, has commented on testing positive for COVID-19 this past weekend. That diagnosis saw him sidelined from last night’s (April 19th) show in Grand Rapids, MI with the band, leading them to recruit the frontmen of Chimaira, Trivium and In Flames for the show. Footage of that can be found here.
Speaking yesterday on the matter, Blythe said via his Instagram:
“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.
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. Cheers- R”
Per his own and the band’s statement from yesterday, it is hoped he will be able to rejoin the group later this week. The current dates for their ongoing tour with Megadeth, Trivium and In Flames include:
04/21 Fort Wayne, IN – Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
04/22 Green Bay, WI – Resch Center
04/24 Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
04/26 Omaha, NE – Baxter Arena
04/27 Cedar Rapids, IA – Alliant Energy PowerHouse
04/29 Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
04/30 Tulsa, OK – BOK Center (no Trivium)
05/03 North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Coliseum
05/04 Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
05/06 Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
05/07 Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center
05/09 Pittsburgh, PA – Petersen Events Center
05/10 Rochester, NY – Blue Cross Arena
05/12 Portland, ME – Cross Insurance Arena
05/13 Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
05/15 Allentown, PA – PPL Center
05/17 Laval, QC – Place Bell
05/18 Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
05/19 Quebec City, QC – Videotron Centre
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