Mastodon cancels summer tour, Bill Kelliher sick

Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON have cancelled their previously announced summer tour, which scheduled to launch in Germany on June 5 and be completed in Finland on July 3. The band's guitarist, Bill Kelleher, was diagnosed with pancreatitis (a sudden inflammation of the pancreas which can have severe complications and high mortality despite treatment) and was advised by doctors to pursue further medication. Doctors are optimistic and expect a full recovery in the coming weeks for Bill, as the band is eager to take part in the BlackDiamondSkye tour, along with ALICE IN CHAINS and DEFTONES, scheduled to open in Chicago on September 16.

MASTODON's latest album, "Crack The Skye", sold 41,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 11 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's fans responded with manic enthusiasm to the LP, snapping up every available copy of various limited-edition artifacts, including the deluxe tunnel book CD+DVD package, both color and double-disc 180gm gatefold vinyl pressings, plus a pair of CD single/T-shirt bundles.