Band Animals As Leaders scraps tour plans for Mexico, South America, and Australia due to severe injury within the group
In a disappointing turn of events, Animals As Leaders, the progressive metal band known for their intricate rhythms and captivating live performances, have announced the cancellation of their remaining 2025 tour dates. The decision comes as a result of drummer Matt Garstka's need for surgery on a serious arm injury.
Garstka, a crucial member of the band, is essential to Animals As Leaders' performances. With him sidelined, the band finds it impossible to continue without him and has decided to focus their energy on writing their next album instead.
The cancelled shows included planned tours in Mexico, South America, and Australia, scheduled for August and September 2025. The band expressed their regret to fans, thanking them for their support, and promised to return with new music and stronger live sets in the future.
The specific details of Garstka's injury have not been disclosed, beyond it being serious and requiring surgery. The band has remained tight-lipped about the matter, focusing instead on the future and the new music they are creating.
Prior to this, Animals As Leaders released their fifth album, Parrhesia, in 2022 and had recently marked the 10th anniversary of their 2014 album The Joy of Motion with tours in North America and Europe earlier in 2025.
Despite the cancellation, Animals As Leaders remain committed to delivering a strong performance for their fans. They plan to return to the cities they had to cancel in with new music and a stronger set. The cancellation of live dates allows them to focus on their new music, and they expect this downtime will accelerate the album's writing process.
New material for the next Animals As Leaders album is already in progress, and the band plans to share more information about the new album soon. They expressed their gratitude to their fans for their patience and support during this difficult time and promised to make a return to the cities they had to cancel in, with a focus on delivering a stronger performance.
The band announced the cancellation on their Instagram page, expressing their apologies to their fans in Mexico, South America, and Australia for the cancellation of the live dates. They assured their fans that this decision was made due to unforeseen circumstances related to the health of a band member and that the cancellation is temporary.
Our thoughts are with Matt Garstka and the rest of Animals As Leaders during this challenging time. We look forward to their return with new music and hope that Matt makes a speedy recovery.
- Despite the recent cancellation of their live shows due to drummer Matt Garstka's serious arm injury necessitating surgery, Animals As Leaders continue to focus on writing their next album.
- The band has announced that new material for their upcoming album is already in progress, and they plan to share more information about it soon.
- With frontman Matt Garstka temporarily sidlined, the band finds it impossible to continue their 2025 tour dates, including those planned in Mexico, South America, and Australia.
- The band expressed their regret to fans for the cancellation of the shows but promised to return with new music and stronger live sets in the future.
- Fans can expect Animals As Leaders' upcoming album to be filled with intricate rhythms, captivating performances, and their unique blend of progressive metal and rock music, as demonstrated in their previous works such as Parrhesia and The Joy of Motion.
