Machine Head are having to exit their current tour, at least temporarily, as singer Robb Flynn undergoes emergency surgery to deal with a double inguinal hernia that has become the source of tremendous pain for the frontman.
The band was out on tour in support of their ‘Machine F—ing Head‘ double live album, and were touring alongside Dethklok, All That Remains and Black Dahlia Murder on the run. But this evening (Nov. 13), the group informed fans that it would miss nine shows on the trek as Flynn recovers from a planned surgery on Wednesday (Nov. 14.).

Machine Head released a statement via their website on the matter which read:

“Machine Head must exit their current North American tour with Dethklok, All That Remains and Black Dahlia Murder due to matters completely beyond their control. Frontman Robb Flynn must have emergency surgery. Flynn had planned to go under the knife in January after completing the tour as he has been playing through the pain of a double inguinal hernia since the tour started in October. He had hoped to continue the tour despite extreme discomfort, but it’s become too difficult to continue on. Flynn will undergo surgery tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 14 in Minneapolis before returning home to California to recover, rest and recuperate. Machine Head will rejoin the tour in Portland, OR. Machine Head extends its regrets to fans, the other bands, and the other crews for having to leave the tour prematurely.
Flynn also offered a statement of his own on the matter:

“I’ve been toughing out an inguinal hernia below my waistline since June of last year, and a few months ago got a second hernia in my nuts. What basically happens is my guts drop into my nuts, and it looks like I have a third testicle (man, I can hear the jokes already!) It hasn’t been that painful, and I’ve gone to the doctor a few times to take care of it, but he said after surgery I probably couldn’t sing for a few weeks, and since that wasn’t going to happen, I scheduled it for January when I had a break. Unfortunately, after the last few shows, my guts have been very swollen and hard to push back in. Yesterday, the pain was excruciating and I went to the emergency room last night. They said that I need surgery. I will be doing my damnedest to rejoin the tour in a couple weeks. Thanks to all the fans, bands, and crew for understanding. I’m determined to see you all soon and finish what has been a great freakin tour!
The tour is scheduled to run through Dec. 8 in Atlanta.

-loudwire.com