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ATREYU Singer ALEX VARKATZAS To Miss European Tour

May 22, 2019

ATREYU singer Alex Varkatzas will miss the band's upcoming European tour, which set to kick off this weekend at the Slam Dunk festival in the United Kingdom. The vocalist explained in a statement that he "aggravated a damaged disc" in his back prior to the band's "Spring Invasion" tour with MOTIONLESS IN WHITE and said that a "surprise" diagnosis of inguinal hernia added to his woes.

Drummer Brandon Saller — who shares lead vocals with Varkatzas in ATREYU — and bassist Marc McKnight will take care of the singing on the European tour, with Varkatzas tentatively due to return to the group in time for this summer's Rockstar Disrupt trek.

Varkatzas announced his absence from the ATREYU tour in an Instagram post consisting of a lengthy note and a brief video message.

He wrote: "There is no easy way to say this, but I am very sorry that I will not be able to join ATREYU on this upcoming European tour. At this point, my body and mind need to heal in order for me to continue with all the things we have planned for 2019.

"I owe you all an explanation. It will be lengthy...

"Just about two weeks before the 'Spring Invasion' tour, I severely aggravated a damaged disc in my back at L5-Sl, giving horrible muscle spasms and limiting my ability to walk, go to the bathroom, basically fucks everything. I was briefly hospitalized last year for this same thing and unable to walk for several days, followed by a week on a walker. After this last injury before the 'Spring Invasion' tour, my back never stopped aching and I started to suffer some pains in the lower abdominal/manly region. An MRI showed a bulging disc at L5-S1 that was a little worse than last year and revealed a surprise inguinal hernia. I was able to start physical therapy for my back right away but was unable to start on hernia. I was given an oral steroid the day before I left for tour and started to barely feel okay after a few days. I was advised to take it easy or I would create further issues. After flying home, I've been in constant agony. I would be lying to you if I said it wasn't taking its toll on me mentally as well.

"It was very hard to accept and tell the guys in the band that my doctors advised me to not make the trip and take care of my body.

"My brothers in ATREYU will rock on without me this run. It will be a very special, one-of-a-kind experience with Brandon up front and Porter screaming!

"I have an upcoming epidural, therapy and a follow-up appointment to discuss the impending possibility of hernia surgery before Disrupt.

"I'm terribly sorry and thank you for the faith in our band. a HUGE, I'm sorry to: Slam Dunk Fest, FortaRock, Rock Im Park, Rock Am Ring and the rest of the promoters.

"Finally, to anyone who was looking forward to see me perform with the band on this run, I know you are disappointed and all I can do is offer my sincerest apologies and fully explain the situation. Something I normally wouldn't like to do.

"So there it is.

"I wish my brothers in ATREYU a safe and fun tour."

ATREYU is continuing to tour in support of its seventh album, "In Our Wake", which was released in October via Spinefarm

View this post on Instagram

There is no easy way to say this, but I am very sorry that I will not be able to join Atreyu on this upcoming European tour. At this point my body & mind need to heal in order for me to continue with all the things we have planned for 2019. I owe you all an explanation. It will be lengthy... Just about 2 weeks before the Spring Invasion tour I severely aggravated a damaged disc in my back at L5-Sl, giving horrible muscle spasms & limiting my ability to walk, go to the bathroom, basically fucks everything. I was briefly hospitalized last year for this same thing & unable to walk for several days, followed by a week on a walker. After this last injury before the Spring Invasion tour, my back never stopped aching & I started to suffer some pains in the lower abdominal/manly region ?. An MRI showed a bulging disc at L5-S1 that was a little worse than last year & revealed a surprise inguinal hernia. I was able to start physical therapy for my back right away but was unable to start on hernia. I was given an Oral steroid the day before I left for tour & started to barely feel ok after a few days. I was advised to take it easy or I would create further issues. After flying home I've been in constant agony. I would be lying to you if I said it wasn't taking its toll on me mentally as well. It was very hard to accept & tell the guys in the band that my doctors advised me to not make the trip & take care of my body. My brothers in Atreyu will rock on without me this run. It will be a very special, one of a kind experience with Brandon up front & Porter screaming! I have an upcoming epidural, therapy & a follow up appointment to discuss the impending possibility of hernia surgery before Disrupt. I'm terribly sorry & thank you for the faith in our band. a HUGE, I'm sorry to: Slam Dunk Fest, FortaRock, Rock Im Park, Rock Am Ring & the rest of the promoters. Finally to anyone who was looking forward to see me perform with the band on this run. I know you are disappointed & all I can do is offer my sincerest apologies & fully explain the situation. Something I normally wouldn't like to do. So there it is. I wish my brothers in Atreyu a safe & fun tour.

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