LA noise-rock band HEALTH have been forced to cancel their UK and European tour for the second time due to COVID-19. The band were originally due to play in London on the 2nd of June at East London venue Studio 9294, this was then rescheduled for the 27th of August. Ticket-holders need not worry, as the band hopes to post the new revised dates in September and all tickets will remain valid.

UNFORTUNATELY OUR AUGUST EUROPEAN SHOWS WILL ONCE AGAIN HAVE TO BE RESCHEDULED DUE TO THE ONGOING COVID-19 PANDEMIC. ALL TICKETS WILL BE VALID FOR THE NEWLY REVISED DATES AND WE HOPE TO ANNOUNCE THEM BY SEPTEMBER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. STAY SAFE. pic.twitter.com/SruirWFkKu

— HEALTH (@_HEALTH_) August 17, 2020

Fans commented saying that they understood, asking the band to ‘stay safe‘ in the meantime. Some even requested HEALTH add other UK locations such as Cardiff to their tour, as London remains the only UK destination on the schedule.

The band toured the UK and Ireland only last year, on their ‘Coveted Islands Tour 2019′. Their latest album, ‘Vol 4: Slaves of Fear‘ was released in February 2019 with Loma Vista Recordings. It was met with varying reviews; NME criticised it for being too sonically similar to its predecessor ‘Death Magic‘ whilst DIY’s Matthew Lombardi said the album helped establish HEALTH as a ‘landmark’ band. There was a general consensus that ‘Vol 4: Slaves of Fear’ is a gloomy, nihilistic commentary on society; some wield this as a criticism, while others praise the album for this very reason.

There is no doubt that the eponymous track, Slaves of Fear, hauntingly explores themes of alienation and despair. With lyrics like ‘slaves of fear// ’til we’re dead in the ground’ and ‘we want to be different// but we don’t want to try too hard’ under metal style guitar that reaches a thudding crescendo toward the middle of the song.

There is no doubt that HEALTH will put on a good live show when it is finally safe to do so. The band is known for its impressive lighting and energetic performances. They actually started out playing live shows at LA institution The Smell, a venue known for its legendary alcohol and drug-free gigs. Watch a recording of HEALTH live at The Smell in 2008 below while you wait patiently for the new European tour dates to be announced in September:

Affected Tour Dates:

20/08/2020 – Zetpete – Krakow, PL
21/08 – Hydrozagadka – Warsaw, PL
22/08 – Lido – Berlin, DE
23/08 – Luxor – Cologne, DE
25/08 – Petit Bain – Paris, FR
27/08 – Studio 9294 – London, UK
28/09 – Loppen – Copenhagen, DK

Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat.