This month, Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals make their way down under on the Thrash Blast Grind tour with Australian grind practitioners and Housecore Records labelmates King Parrot. The journey marks Anselmo's first visit to Australia in over five years and includes a headlining set at Slayfest in Perth on March 23rd. Additional support will be provided by Palm (Japan) and Potion (Australia).

The band was due to play two New Zealand shows, but now appear to be without venues in Auckland and Christchurch. Stuff.co.nz reports that  Phil Anselmo, former frontman for Pantera, and his band was booked to play a Christchurch show on March 26, then one in Auckland on March 27, but in the wake of terror attacks which left 50 dead at Christchurch mosques, venues in both cities have now publicly announced they won't be hosting the show.

At a Hollywood concert in 2016, Anselmo was filmed pulling the white power sign and then yelling "white power" at the crowd. He has denied believing in white supremacy, saying the incident was a mistake.

According to posters, the Christchurch show was originally scheduled for inner city venue Empire. It is understood the gig was then shifted to the Club Tavern, which has now publicly announced it will not go ahead.

"The Philip Anselmo gig has been cancel (sic)," a Facebook post said. "We do not and will not support white supremacy or racism!"

The venue declined to comment further.

Auckland venue Galatos also posted on Facebook, informing people of their decision to pull the pin on the gig. A spokeswoman for the venue also declined to comment further.

Read more at Stuff.co.nz.

Tour dates:

March
21 - The Basement - Belconnen, Australian Capital Territory
22 - Max Watts - Melbourne, Australia
23 - Slayfest - Amplifier Capitol - Perth, Australia
24 - Enigma Bar - Adelaide, Australia
29 - The Back Room - Brisbane, Australia
30 - The Factory - Sydney, Australia
31 - The Cambridge - Newcastle, Australia

June
20 - Graspop Metal Meeting 2019 - Dessel, Belgium
23 - Hellfest 2019 - Clisson, France

July
13 - Rock Maraton - Balaton, Hungary
19 - Gefle Metal Fest - Gefle, Sweden
24 - Metaldays - Tolmin, Slovenia

August
21 - Teatro Cariola - Santiago, Chile
22 - Pirkas - Cipolletti, Argentina
24 - CC Festiva - Lima, Peru
25 - Samper Mendoza - Bogotá, Columbia
29 - Peppers Club - San Jose, Costa Rica
31 - Circo Bolador - Mexico City, Mexico

(Photo - Jody Dorignac)