Machine Head frontman, Robb Flynn has been forced to leave the Dethklok tour temporarily to undergo emergency surgery for a double inguinal hernia. As a result, Machine Head will not be present for nine of the dates. He had originally scheduled the surgery to take place in January, after the end of the tour, but the pain has become too great for him to continue.

Flynn commented 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!”

His surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, November 14, after which he will recuperate before returning with the band to continue the tour in Portland, Oregon on November 24th.