As previously announced, Virginia-based melodic tech-death metal masters ARSIS will be touring as part of the Frets of Fury Tour this October without guitarist/vocalist Jim Malone. The band are excited to announce the very talented musicians filling in for Jim in his absence.

"Mike Parks will be performing vocals for the tour in October,” commented the band. “He's the obvious choice as he has helped us out in the past when Malone lost his voice, and was actually the singer of the band that became Arsis. He is a long-time friend and an extremely strong singer, and we're happy to have him with us. We'd also like to introduce Brandon Ellis. This is something incredibly special. He is a young guy who plays with the kind of maturity that has become rare in the modern metal and shred scene. His presence will take the guitar chops in Arsis to a new high. Talk is cheap, so see for yourself...."

The band continue: "WE ARE NOT CANCELING. The Frets of Fury tour was built specifically around the participation of Arsis and it would be dishonorable to back out and hang everybody out to dry. So we are bringing a brutal set of new music (some of which we've already shared online) and some old ones, which have never been played live despite a constant clamor for them. The lineup is AWESOME as all at the shows will soon discover."

Jim Malone recently commented on his not taking part in the tour: "Due to professional and personal commitments I am unable to tour with Arsis at this time. For the upcoming tour with FIREWIND, rather than drop off the tour entirely, we've decided to hire live musicians, some of whom have long been associated with my band. I have given Nick and Noah my blessing and am certain the lineup will be great. My sincerest apologies to anyone who is annoyed or disappointed by my absence. Please go and support Arsis and check out some of our new songs, which they will be playing every night!”

Check out this video statement from guitarist Nick Cordle that includes pre-production demos of brand new songs:

Arsis tour dates:

October

6 - Tremont Music Hall at The Casbah - Charlotte, NC
8 - Propaganda - Lake Worth, FL

October (Frets Of Fury tour with FIREWIND, WHITE WIZZARD and NIGHTRAGE)

9 - St Petersburg, FL - The State Theater
10 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
11 - Springfield, VA - Jaxx
12 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theater
13 - Manchester, NH - Rocko's
14 - Montreal, QC - Les Foufounes Electriques
15 - Ottawa, ON - Maverick's
16 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
18 - Joliet, IL - Mojoe's
19 - St Paul, MN - Station 4
20 - Winnipeg, MB - The Osborne Village Inn
21 - Edmonton, AB - Pawn Shop
22 - Kelowna, BC - Sapphire Nightclub
23 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theater
24 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
25 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater
26 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
27 - Hollywood, CA - The Whisky A Go Go

October

28 - The Underground - Mesa, AZ
29 - Juggernaut - Gallup, NM
30 - Marquis Theater - Denver, CO

November

1 - Fubar - St. Louis, MO
2 - The Mad Hatter - Covington, KY