TESTAMENT will be touring Europe from July 31st to August 13th in support of their new album, Dark Roots Of Earth. Initially drummer GENE HOGLAN, who plays on the album, was unable to make the trek as he was committed to touring North America as part of DETHKLOK, alongside LAMB OF GOD and GOJIRA. Therefore, Testament had temporarily secured the services of drummer Mark Hernandez (FORBIDDEN, VIO-LENCE).

However, the Lamb Of God / Dethklok co-headlining tour has now been cancelled due to "the continued incarceration of Lamb Of God singer Randy Blythe in the Czech Republic."

Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick issued several Tweets earlier today detailing the situation:

"So earlier today, I got 'punked!' These guys got me as I showed up to rehearsal. Very well played prank! Here's what happened...

As some of u know, there's been a sub-drummer lined up 4 this tour, Mark Hernandez (ex-Forbidden), subbing 4 Gene Hoglan who was booked.

So we find out Gene is avail now (due to last minute LOG/Dethklok tour cancellation). Calls were made & it's worked out: Gene is coming with.

Mark H took it very well, total pro! Agreed its best 2 have Gene if he's now avail. But these guys didn't tell me!! So I show up and...

...they tell me he doesn't know & ask me to break the news to him. I take him outside & tell him. He acts devastated! Eric films it from afar.

I told him please not to take it hard, it's just like being an understudy on Bway! He tells me he's crushed, he's been working so hard etc.

And then, I said a line that everyone's now quoting & probably will for years. That's when they all came out & everyone started laughing.

The quote of the year... Here's what I said, while looking this dude straight in the eye: "It sucks to be the understudy."

Testament's European tour dates are as follows:

July

31 – Toritto, Italy – Total Metal Fest

August

2 – Székesfehérvár, Hungary – Fezen Fest
3 – Lucerne, Switzerland – Konzerthaus Schuur
4 – Wacken, Germany – Wacken Fest
6 – Tolmin, Slovenia – Metalcamp
9 – Vasteras, Sweden – Sigurdsgatan 25
10 – Rejmyre, Sweden – Skogsrojet
11 – Derbyshire, UK – Bloodstock Fest
12 – Brussels, Belgium – Alcatraz Fest
13 – Istanbul, Turkey – Venue 2012