LAMB OF GOD recruits former MACHINE HEAD guitarist PHIL DEMMEL for European summer 2022 shows

Ancient MACHINE HEAD and current VIOLENCE guitarist Phil Demmel will fill for Willie Adler out of nearly a dozen Europeans LAMB OF GOD shows later this month. Demmel previously intervened for Adler during LOGJanuary’s appearance on the ShipShaken cruise and in May for the Canadian portion of LAMB OF GODit is “The Metal Tour of the Year” with MEGADETH.

Earlier today (Tuesday August 2), Demmel shared a instagram photo of him in front of LAMB OF GOD backdrop, and he included the following message: “The next 3 weeks are with these fine folks from Richmond MFing Virginia. Tossing in some VIOLENCE as well!! See you soon!!!”

LAMB OF GOD European dates summer 2022:

August 05 – RO – Rasnov – Rockstadt Extreme Fest
August 07 – BE – Lokeren – Lokerse Festival
August 09 – SK – Ljubljana – Cvetličarna
August 10 – HU – Budapest – Barba Negra Track
August 12 – FI – Turku – Knotfest
August 14 – United Kingdom – Walton-on-Trent – Bloodstock Open Air
August 18 – DE – Nuremberg – Z-Bau
August 19 – DE – Köln – Live Music Hall
August 20 – DE – Sulingen – Reload Festival
August 21 – NL – Eindhoven – Dynamo Metalfest

Although LAMB OF GOD has not officially commented Adlerthe absence of emissions, VIOLENCE singer Sean Killian revealed in an interview in April that willy is “not down to do the vaxx”, referring to the COVID-19 vaccine, and is replaced by Demmel for dates in countries that still require proof of vaccination from U.S. travelers.

In April, Demmel also filled in for LAMB OF GODit is John Campbell when the bassist had to miss a few gigs on “The Metal Tour of the Year” in order to “take care of a family business at home”.

Demmelthe appearance of LAMB OF GOD marks his third high-profile replacement gig in four years. Demmel intervened for KILLER guitarist Gary Holt for four European shows in autumn 2018 after Gary returned home to be with his dying father. Demmel also subtitled for David Linsk at SURPLUSNovember 13, 2021 concert at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, New Jersey and during the band’s spring 2022 US tour.

In a February 2022 interview with BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Demmel discussed how he became a hitman if asked. “The KILLER something happened within 24 hours after i quit MACHINE HEADhe says. ” I think [SLAYER drummer] Paul Bostaphethe girlfriend of knew it MACHINE HEAD was done and knew I was home so they reached out for it. As the urban legend says [laughs], I had three hours to learn 19 songs. It was quite successful; a filler trip, one of the most hyped things you can imagine – KILLER on their last world tour. I filled for my buddies in NO DOT, too. The SURPLUS gig was more about me and Policeman [Ellsworth, vocals] do it BPMD record together [2020’s ‘American Made’]. We’re familiar and I have a reputation for being able to pick up songs pretty quickly. The ALLEGIANCE TO METAL, guys too. I will play 25 songs with them in one night. It’s one of those weird things where I can learn songs pretty quickly and I can pick them up pretty quickly.”

Demmel he was then asked if his nerves for the LAMB OF GOD and SURPLUS the gigs were on the same level as playing with KILLER. “I was quite confident with the SURPLUS songs,” he said. “We had three good rehearsals. I did not rehearse with KILLER at all. I played two songs during a soundcheck. [Laughs] ‘Okay, we’re good!’ It’s like, ‘Fuck!’ SURPLUS, we had a few days of rehearsal. I had two and a half, three weeks to prepare. I felt strong enough with it.

“The LAMB OF GOD concert, it was a big problem. They had approached me before their MEGADETH toured the US last summer and wanted me to learn both parts, To mark [Morton] and willy‘s, just in case one got sick, they didn’t want to cancel their tour. That’s where I’m at: I’m their bullpen guy when one of them can’t make the shows, I’m ready to go. It’s such a prominent group. I didn’t want to go over there and blow it up. I wanted the band to sound good. I wanted to keep this pride of what they are and not have a fall. willy and I play differently. There is a different vibrato in our left hand and our little fingers. I didn’t want there to be a stall. I didn’t want people to be disappointed that he wasn’t there. And it’s not slag willy. If I went to see one of my favorite bands, let’s say QUEENSRŸCHE. I want to see [Chris] From GarmoI want to see Michael Wilton. No blame on the other guys, but they better bring it if they’re not going to be there.”