Tom Araya To Have Back Surgery

Tom Araya: Oh my aching back!

Slayer usually brings the pain. But now, one of the band is feeling it.

The announcement today that Slayer bassist/singer Tom Araya is going to have back surgery has postponed the band's touring plans until after the musician recovers.

Blabbermouth.net reported that Araya will require an operation to mend his back. According to Slayer manager Rick Sales, homeopathic methods were tried, but in the end the voice of Slayer is just going to have to "bite the bullet." At the end of the month, he will undergo a cervical radiculopathy. This is a common procedure with a high survivability rate. No word on whether "Cervical Radiculopathy" will be the title of a song on the follow-up to World Painted Blood.

Unfortunately, this also means that the band's scheduled "American Carnage" tour with Megadeth and openers Testament is not going to happen for a few months. Ticketholders for American Carnage shows are advised to hang on to their tickets--they will be honored once the tour is up and rolling.

In light of the news from the Slayer camp, Megadeth have elected to push forward with their own tour, supporting current album Endgame. There is no word on Testament's toruing plans, which include a set featuring a complete performance of the band's debut album, The Legacy.