Bad news for Eyehategod fans in Australia and Mexico. The seminal New Orleans sludge band has been forced to cancel upcoming tour dates due to "mental stability and health" issues of vocalist Mike IX Williams.

Eyehategod were booked to play four shows in Australia earlier this year and an additional three gigs in Mexico. Sadly for fans, the shows were cancelled for a number of reasons concerning Mike Williams. Along with those listed above, exhaustion and chronic fatigue have also been listed as reasons for Williams pulling out of the Australian and Mexican dates.

Eyehategod released an official statement on the matter today (Feb. 17):

We regret to have to cancel both our Australian and Mexican dates until further notice. Vocalist Mike IX Williams' mental stability and health are major serious issues at this point, and we are very, very sorry for putting our fans and business partners in this miserable position. We feel horrible about these empty spaces in our schedule and will make up these tours as soon as possible. The cancellation of these tours is in no way any fault of the promoters or foreign booking agents. We hope our fans understand.

Since part of the problem included long flights, Eyehategod recently embarked upon two separate short runs of shows on the West and East coast, fully against doctor's orders. These shows were found to be physically draining and a detriment, performance-wise, to Williams. Williams - who is currently dealing with exhaustion and chronic fatigue from a near nonstop tour schedule over the last five years -- is resting, healing and catering to his health and will be ready to conquer Europe and the UK on tour this April.

Eyehategod released their self-titled, fifth studio album in 2014. It was Eyehategod's final record with drummer Joey LaCaze before the musician's 2013 death. We'd like to extend our best wishes to Mike Williams and we hope to see Eyehategod back on the road soon.

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