TESTAMENT singer Chuck Billy has tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
The band said he received his test results on Saturday (March 21).
According to TESTAMENT, Billy had “been feeling unwell” since returning home to the San Francisco Bay Area last week following the completion of “The Bay Strikes Back 2020”European tour with EXODUS and DEATH ANGEL.
Billy, who didn’t reveal if he had any idea how he contracted the virus, says he has been quarantined since arriving home.
TESTAMENT‘s full statement reads as follows:
“As many of you already know, after returning from the ‘Bay Strikes Back’ over Europe Tour last week, some of us in TESTAMENT have been feeling unwell and have made the decision along with our Doctors to be tested for the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. As of yesterday morning, Chuck and [his wife] Tiffany Billy‘s tests have come back positive as well as some crew members.
“We wanted to reach out to everyone who has been supporting us and expressing concern to inform you that we are doing what’s right, and what’s safe, and have all been quarantining ourselves since our return home; since before we were even tested. We are of course concerned for our families, our friends, our crew, our fellow musicians, and our fans. We’ve reached out to support our fellow Bay Area Bands who are also being proactive in their own camps, staying quarantined and safe, and will speak on their individual situations if and when they are ready to.
“At this moment we are currently focused on staying safe and quarantined, resting, getting ourselves back to health, and of course, sending well wishes, prayers, and positive energy towards our friends who are also sick. We also want to send well wishes to all of our fans and supporters in this time of crisis. We’re taking all the necessary steps to stay safe at home and we ask our friends and fans to do the same. Please take care of each other, and stay healthy so we can continue to thrash in the not so distant future!”
EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt revealed earlier in the week that he was exhibiting all the symptoms of COVID-19.
Holt said that he and his wife underwent coronavirus testing on Friday (March 20) but added that they will have to wait “seven to 10 days” for results.
DEATH ANGEL drummer Will Carroll has been in an intensive care unit at a Northern California hospital since Wednesday (March 18) after being taken “very ill” following the completion of “The Bay Strikes Back 2020” trek.
TESTAMENT, EXODUS and DEATH ANGEL canceled at least two shows on “The Bay Strikes Back 2020” tour due to the fast-spreading outbreak of the new coronavirus: February 25 in Milan, Italy; and March 11 in Hannover, Germany.
More than 329,000 coronavirus cases have been reported worldwide and more than 24,000 deaths so far, putting public health systems and emergency services under immense pressure.
The fatality rate of the new coronavirus is believed to about 1 percent. “It’s about ten times more lethal than the seasonal flu,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institutes Of Allergy And Infectious Disease, said in congressional testimony on March 11.
U.S. officials have repeatedly urged Americans to heed what federal, state and local officials are asking of them in order to curtail the spread and dampen the impact of the virus on the population.
California recently estimated that more than half of the state — 25.5 million people — will get the new coronavirus over the next eight weeks.
A new CDC report has offered proof that younger adults are just as likely as anyone to contract the virus, with nearly 40 percent of COVID-19 cases found between the ages of 20 and 54.
“I think everyone should be paying attention to this,” Stephen Morse, PhD, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University, told The New York Times about the study. “It’s not just going to be the elderly. There will be people age 20 and up. They do have to be careful, even if they think that they’re young and healthy.”
Dave Mustaine said he is “100 percent” cancer-free during Megadeth’s concert at the SSE Arena in London Friday, January 31st. Halfway through the band’s set, Mustaine told the crowd about his throat cancer diagnosis last year as Megadeth was recording their new album. “At first, I thought, ‘Am I afraid?'” Mustaine recalled. “And then I said, ‘No. I’m fucking pissed.’ And we stopped the record, we stopped everything.”
Mustaine said he underwent 51 radiation treatments and nine chemotherapy treatments after his diagnosis, noting that he was determined to beat the disease so he could play music again. October 16th, he went to go see the doctor, and he said, ‘You’re 100 percent free of cancer.'”
I filmed this video myself – I have to admit, I was a little choked up after watching the final moments of Slayer: November, 30th at The Los Angeles Forum. Tom Arrays gives an emotional farewell to the crowd in attendance.
There are some titles add from the Golden Age of Extreme Metal 1981-1992 This list is not my list and was originally posted here, but the formatting is so poor and the years on the records were incorrectly labeled 1981-1985. This is why I reposted it here.
This new Sodom track was released this week from the forthcoming EP “Out Of The Frontline Trench”, which will be available on November 22nd, The band is planning to release a full-length album later this year or early 2020.
James Hetfield of Metallica has re-entered rehab, forcing the band to postpone a tour in Australia, New Zealand, and all appearances through the end of 2019. The next scheduled Metallica show is a March 28th benefit in San Fransico. The band has not stated what substance(s) James was abusing though it is widely believed to be alcohol.
A statement on the band website read…
“As most of you probably know, our brother James has been struggling with addiction on and off for many years. He has now, unfortunately, had to re-enter a treatment program to work on his recovery again.”
There has been an outpouring of support for James on social media wish him well in his latest round of recovery.
Sending my best to James Hetfield Of @Metallica Take care of yourself my friend,You are a human being like everyone else that has real struggles. The disease of Alcoholism doesn’t discriminate. You are very strong to take the steps needed to be healthy and happy.The rest can wait
Who is the most profitable rock band of all time? Fox News says it is Metallica – clocking it at 1.4 Billion in concert tickets alone.
Metallica may be right behind another famous rock band, U2, who with their 360 tour in 2011 became the highest-grossing concert tour in history pulling in $736 million. But the metal band’s profits continue to grow putting them alongside the Rolling Stones and Taylor Swift.
Metallica, the heavy metal band from Los Angeles, circa 1981, has grossed over $1.4 billion touring over their almost 40-year career, according to Pollster, making them arguably the world’s biggest, most profitable heavy metal band of all time.
Formed by vocalist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, the group is known for fast tempos, instrumentals and aggressive rock known as thrash metal.
Exhorder “Desecrator” Live In Los Angeles Sept 13, 2009 Exhorder plays brutal thrash metal classic “Desecrator” live In Los Angeles Sept 13 2009 on tour supporting the new album “Mourn The Southern Sky” – which drops this week on Nuclear Blast!
Earier this week Dave Mustaine said “doctors are feeling very positive regarding my progress” on Twitter and also on Megadeth.com. As of now, plus for the Megacruise are still on schedule.
I wanted to take a moment to give you all an update on the current status of my health. I’m almost through the last round of treatment and my doctors are feeling very positive regarding my progress. I want to thank all of you for the support and well wishes these last few months. I can’t express enough gratitude as it has made this hard road easier knowing you are in my corner fighting with me! Over the next few weeks my condition will be evaluated, and I will keep you posted on my progress as we get closer to the sailing date of the first Megacruise! We can’t wait to see you, and I know all of the other wonderful artists feel the same way. Let’s make this event one for the record books. Less than 30 days till we are Thrashing through the Pacific! See you all very soon. Dave
A Message from Dave Mustaine: I wanted to take a moment to give you all an update on the current status of my health. I'm almost through the last round of treatment and my doctors are feeling very positive regarding my progress… https://t.co/0GS1cV6jJ5pic.twitter.com/VQlW9dMeY8
Since it’s pretty clear many of us (including me) are living in the past (rightfully so)…what is your favorite year for Thrash Metal? You can choose from 1983-1991. Personally, I’m going to have to choose 1986 with classic such as Pleasure To Kill, Darkness Descends and Reign In Blood pulling much of the weight, but what is your pick?
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