Coal Chamber‘s fall touring plans have now all been scrapped, as vocalist Dez Fafara continues to navigate his recent health issues. As he announced this past August, the gold-certified nü-metal band’s run with Fear Factory, Twiztid & more was being postponed to the spring after Fafara suffered an alarming medical episode.
He stated of that on August 16th:
“With a heavy heart, let me tell you a story about life taking a turn, I’m writing to you from my bed.
I’ve been running 6 miles daily, I’ve been rehearsing two hours daily in my home studio and excited to hit the road, I’m excited to get on a bus with my brothers and sister and my crew, I’d never felt better and as you all know. I fought back hard after long haul Covid tried to kill me.
Saturday morning I woke up and I was coming up my stairs. I saw flashes in my eyes. I passed out and my wife revived me. My vitals were through the roof, and I was sheet white and vomiting, and the whole world was spinning. Anahstasia called 911. I ended up in the back of an ambulance and did nine hours in the ER testing all my vitals including taking X-rays of my heart and lungs. My doctor has advised me to get a cat scan, and until further testing, I am on bedrest and must postpone the Tour. Our agent sprung into action to rebook this tour for March 2025, and until we can figure out what the fuck medically is happening.
We will see you in March 2025 on the Fiend For The Fans Tour. This tour postponement is surreal, I was looking forward to playing with my band and connecting with fans, friends and family on the road.
I want to take a moment to thank everybody for their outpouring of love and outpouring of calls and texts checking on me. It seems like the word spread and the whole industry has been ringing my phone since Sunday; musicians, agents and managers and I really really appreciate it.
My band has been amazingly understanding and call me hourly – I thank them immensely for their caring nature.
Kiss your loved ones, no one is promised tomorrow. I’ll fight my way back to be with you all onstage you can be sure of that as well I’ll keep you all updated on my socials as to what’s going on. Apologies if this news causes you to rearrange your schedules to attend the concert with us and I want to say thank you in advance. We are all truly in the dark and I’m looking forward to finding out what’s going on. HAIL”
– Dez Fafara, Coal Chamber“
At the time, the group had hoped for Fafara to be able to play next weekend’s ‘Aftershock‘, however it has since become clear that he is not entirely up to the task. A statement issued by the band today reads:
“Hello everyone, due to doctors orders and waiting on CT scan results amongst other test results… Coal Chamber will not be performing at Aftershock Festival
“I thank Danny Wimmer Presents, my band and crew and supporters of Coal Chamber for being understanding during this very difficult time for myself & family.”
— Dez Fafara
“It goes without saying that we are heartbroken that we won’t be joining Aftershock with all of our fans, family, and friends. Our brother’s health and making a full recovery is absolutely the #1 priority so we can be firing on all cylinders for our tour in March! We thank you for the patience, and joining us in supporting the Fafara family while Dez recovers.”
— Mikey, Meegs, and Nadja“
In light of the situation, NYC-based industrial nü-metal band Dope have been added to the fest to fill the slot vacated by Coal Chamber.
