It was announced yesterday (March 21) that Metal Church would be moving forward without the services of longtime drummer Jeff Plate. However, Plate's exit has left the band in a bit of a spot concerning their forthcoming tour dates and they have bowed out of their scheduled shows with Alter Bridge and In Flames.

In a statement, the band explained, "Due to unforeseen personnel changes within the Metal Church organization, regretfully we have to pull off the five Alter Bridge / In Flames show dates in May. We are grateful to everyone in the Alter Bridge camp for having offered us the opportunity, and would like to extend our deepest apologies to both bands, their management, and all the fans for the last minute cancellation. We had hoped we could make something work out, but that is no longer a possibility. We will be back on the road in June for all the European shows and we look forward to introducing you to our new drummer! Thank you for your understanding."

With Metal Church bowing out and dates approaching, Alter Bridge moved quickly to find a replacement with Devour the Day joining the run for select dates. "Unfortunately our friends in Metal Church had to fall off the tour BUT we have filled the spot with our brothers in Devour the Day," explained the band. Devour the Day are supporting their 2016 album, S.O.A.R.

The change in the lineup currently affects five dates, with Devour the Day joining Alter Bridge and In Flames at stops in Sayreville, N.J. (May 2, Starland Ballroom), Providence, R.I. (May 3, Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel), Baltimore, Md. (May 10, The Hippodrome), Stroudsburg, Pa. (May 11, Sherman Theater) and Milwaukee, Wis. (May 17, The Rave). Check here for all of Alter Bridge's upcoming dates.

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