Megadeth Exit Motorhead’s Motorboat Cruise, Replaced by All-Star Metal Allegiance Band

We've got some bad news and some good news for those attending the upcoming Motorhead's Motorboat Cruise. There's been a lineup shakeup, with Megadeth exiting the cruise, but an all-star metal lineup going under the moniker Metal Allegiance will be filling their spot.

Megadeth cited medical reasons for pulling out of the cruise, which takes place Sept. 22-26. The band issued the following statement about the cancellation:

“Due to complications arising from a previous cervical spine surgery, and upon his doctor’s strict recommendations, Dave Mustaine has cancelled all performances for the next 8 weeks. With rest and treatment, he is expected to recover and resume performing soon. The band was looking forward to the concerts and cruise, and is disappointed that they will not be able to see their fans. Megadeth expect to return to the road and will see their fans soon!”

However, there will still be a Megadeth presence aboard the Motorhead Motorboat Cruise, as bassist David Ellefson and guitarist Chris Broderick are part of the Metal Allegiance all-star group that will be filling the void. The rockers will be joined by Philip Anselmo, Joey Belladonna, Chuck Billy, Jon Donais, Scott Ian, Mark Zavon, Frank Bello, Rex Brown, Charlie Benante and Mike Portnoy for the all-star jam.

“You can’t replace a band like Megadeth, who have done so much to change the landscape of heavy music over the past 30 years. We wish Dave Mustaine all the best in his recovery,” says event producer Alan Koenig of ASK4 Entertainment. “But we’re excited that Megadeth’s David Ellefson and Chris Broderick will still be joining us. The whole reason to do these music cruises is to give fans an experience that they can’t get anywhere else -- and bringing Metal Allegiance onboard with metal’s most loyal fans fits that bill.”

Megadeth’s David Ellefson adds, "I'm really looking forward to being together with our friends and fans on Motörboat. Metal Allegiance is a great way to continue our brotherhood of all things metal."

"I always love getting together with my brothers and throwing down. The Allegiance jam is sure to be the best jam I've been involved with yet," says Philip Anselmo.

Rex Brown of Kill Devil Hill says, "We have jammed at some big metal events in the past, but Metal Allegiance is gonna blow EVERYONE on the Motörboat cruise right out of the water!!! Let her rip!"

Mike Portnoy agrees: "I've been honored to have been part of some previous metal jams over the years and there's something very special and (Goddamn) electric that happens when you put this group of guys together in a room or on a stage. Myself and my brothers in metal on the Motörboat are metal lovers through and through and we love to get together to jam, have fun and pay tribute to the music that we all love so much."

The first annual Motorhead Motorboat Cruise sets sail from Miami on Sept. 22, hitting ports in Key West, Fla. and Cozumel just off of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula along the way. In addition to Motorhead and Metal Allegiance, the cruise will include sets from Anthrax, Testament, Down, High on Fire, Kill Devil Hill, Zakk Wylde, the Jim Breuer Band, Danko Jones, Fireball Ministry, Wilson and Cilver. Plus, Scott Ian will provide one of his spoken word sets. For more information on the Motorhead Motorboat Cruise, click here.

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