The U.S. leg of 'The Bay Strikes Back Tour' that was set to begin this week – featuring Testament, Exodus and Death Angel - has been rescheduled to April and May of next year, due to safety concerns related to the COVID pandemic. However, these three bands are still on the bill for Aftershock Festival in Sacramento this Thursday (October 7th) and will still play in Oakland at Fox Theater on November 27th as previously scheduled.

Testament guitarist Eric Peterson said: "We were really on the fence with this decision, but seeing other bands make it through with a few mild cases and other bigger bands just cancelling their entire tours, we felt it is in our best interest to postpone these shows to '22."

Alex Skolnick (also of Testament) added: "It gives none of us any pleasure to be the bearers of bad news yet again, but here we are. Although Bay Strikes Back is a top tour package for theaters, the reality is this: It can’t afford to take the risks that top grossing larger venue tours have been taking. The type of disruptions Kiss and other large outdoor venue tours have experienced could cause our shows to be permanently cancelled - a lose/lose for everyone. The fact that a lower budget tour such as ours is limited to indoor venues with tight backstage space only adds to the risk. It should go without saying that calling off these dates was a ‘last resort’ decision, and everyone involved would much rather this weren’t the case. However, this is the new reality we’re all in. All we can do is hope for everyone’s understanding, which we ask for sincerely."

Exodus guitarist Gary Holt said: "We are saddened to announce that the Bay Strikes Back tour is being postponed, but the risk of cancelled shows due to positive tests leading to tour personnel being quarantined and isolated is just too great at this time, we want to feel safe, enjoy the tour and be able to hang out with our close friends. The silver lining in this is that Tom Hunting no longer needs chemo and will have more time to work his way back to doing a full tour. He will make his return behind the drums at Aftershock but a full tour requires more preparation, so that is the good part."

Death Angel vocalist Mark Osegueda concluded: "Usually when I’m asked to contribute a quote to an announcement it pertains to something I’m extremely excited about. In this case I’m gutted… It pains me to announce that The Bay Strikes Back U.S. Tour is being postpone. No one was looking forward to this more than me. But, on the brighter side of things, the tour is in fact going to happen - just at a later time. And I can assure you that the already ravenous to play live members of Death Angel promise to provide a crushing set during a crushing tour. The Bay WILL Strike Back!"


Tour dates are as follows:

4/09/2022 San Luis Obispo, CA - Fremont Theater
4/10/2022 Anaheim, CA - House of Blues
4/12/2022 San Diego, CA - House of Blues
4/13/2022 Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
4/15/2022 Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre
4/16/2022 Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
4/19/2022 Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
4/20/2022 Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall
4/21/2022 Austin, TX - Emo's
4/22/2022 Dallas, TX - Amplified Live
4/23/2022 New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
4/26/2022 Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
4/27/2022 Raleigh, NC - The Ritz
4/30/2022 Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
5/01/2022 Baltimore, MD - Soundstage
5/02/2022 Boston, MA - House of Blues
5/03/2022 Philadelphia, PA - Theater of Living Arts
5/05/2022 Huntington, NY - The Paramount
5/06/2022 Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
5/07/2022 Cincinnati, OH - Madison Theater
5/09/2022 Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
5/10/2022 Cleveland, OH - The Agora
5/11/2022 Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall
5/12/2022 Detroit, MI - The Majestic Theatre
5/14/2022 Joliet, IL - The Forge
5/15/2022 Joliet, IL - The Forge
5/17/2022 Minneapolis, MN - Skyway Theatre
5/19/2022 Denver, CO - Summit
5/20/2022 Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot

All tickets purchased for the original dates will be honored for the new dates. Refunds will be available at point of purchase.

Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Testament