Lamb Of God vocalist Randy Blythe unfortunately contracted COVID and missed last night's show in Grand Rapids, MI. Lamb Of God recruited Chimaira vocalist Mark Hunter to take Blythe's place alongside tourmates Anders Fridén of In Flames and Matt Heafy of Trivium. Fan-filmed footage of the show can be found below.
"I had the honor of singing for Lamb Of God tonight," said Hunter, who also revealed in a tweet that he had to learn seven songs in under 24 hours. "@drandallblythe was unavailable due to having COVID. It was an absolute honor and I'm extremely grateful they thought of me. Get better soon, Randy!!"
Blythe also issued his own statement regarding his COVID diagnosis. Blythe said he's already feelings better and wished Hunter all the best with his performance. Blythe is slated to be back with the band at their show in Indiana on April 21, though no official confirmation for that has yet come through.
"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"
4/21 Fort Wayne, IN @ Allen County War Memorial Coliseum [Tickets]
4/22 Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center [Tickets]
4/24 Sioux Falls, SD @ Denny Sanford PREMIER Center [Tickets]
4/26 Omaha, NE @ Baxter Arena [Tickets]
4/27 Cedar Rapids, IA @ Alliant Energy PowerHouse [Tickets]
4/29 Kansas City, MO @ T-Mobile Center [Tickets]
4/30 Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center* No Trivium [Tickets]
5/3 North Charleston, SC @ North Charleston Coliseum [Tickets]
5/4 Greenville, SC @ Bon Secours Wellness Arena [Tickets]
5/6 Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena [Tickets]
5/7 Peoria, IL @ Peoria Civic Center [Tickets]
5/9 Pittsburgh, PA @ Petersen Events Center [Tickets]
5/10 Rochester, NY @ Blue Cross Arena [Tickets]
5/12 Portland, ME @ Cross Insurance Arena [Tickets]
5/13 Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Arena [Tickets]
5/15 Allentown, PA @ PPL Center [Tickets]
