MACHINE HEAD’s Reece Scruggs Steps Away From Summer Tour Due To Family Emergency

Machine Head guitarist Reece Scruggs will not be taking part in the band’s summer European and UK tour dates, choosing instead to step away to be with his family amid his father’s recent cancer diagnosis.

Scruggs issued the following statement:

“With the support and understanding of Robb [Flynn], the band, and management I’ve chosen to get off the road and step away for a while to be with my family.

To be transparent, my father was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. I’ve sacrificed a lot in pursuit of my music career over the years. When I received this news I knew I had to make a sacrifice in favor of my family. I can’t possibly describe the appreciation I have for Robb and the MH camp for not batting an eye when I expressed my want to be at home during this difficult time.”

Filling in for Scruggs on most of the upcoming shows will be Waclaw “Vogg” Kieltyka of Decapitated, who also performed with Machine Head during their “Burn My Eyes” anniversary run. Select dates will instead feature the band’s longtime producer and Darkness Everywhere guitarist Zack Ohren.

Machine Head themselves also addressed the situation:

“Reece has our absolute support and we know full well that the Head Cases around the world share our sentiments. We ask that both fans, peers, and media please respect his privacy during this challenging time.

Joining us to fill in this massive void for the lion’s share of the upcoming shows will be good friend (and former bandmate), ‘Vogg’ Waclaw Kieltyka, alongside long-time producer, collaborator, and Darkness Everywhere member Zack Ohren on select dates where/when Vogg’s band Decapitated is already scheduled to perform.”

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