The thrash-metal veterans of the recently completed "The Bay Strikes Back 2020" European tour appear to have been hard hit by coronavirus. Testament, Exodus and Death Angel returned last week from the month-long trek, and numerous band and crew members have since been hit by the illness. According to Exodus (and former Slayer) guitarist Gary Holt, he is exhibiting "all the symptoms" of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, and he and his wife are awaiting the results of the tests they took on Friday, March 20th, which could require "seven to 10 days." Meanwhile, Death Angel drummer Will Carroll is "very ill" and currently in an intensive care unit at a Northern California hospital. The latest to be affected is Testament frontman Chuck Billy, who, the band revealed in a social media post, has tested positive for COVID-19, as has his wife, Tiffany.
"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," the band wrote in their joint statement. "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!"
Testament are set to release their new album, Titans of Creation, April 3rd via Nuclear Blast — no word yet on whether Billy's illness and the coronavirus pandemic at large will derail those plans. See the band's full post below.
