OVERKILL frontman Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth has confirmed to the Chicago Tribune that guitarist Dave Linsk will sit out the band’s March 2022 U.S. tour due to “personal reasons” and will be temporarily replaced by former MACHINE HEAD and current VIO-LENCE guitarist Phil Demmel.

“We’ve used Phil in the past when we’ve had issues,” Bobby said. “We’re prepared. We’re ready. It’s not about the strength of the individual but about the strength of the unit. We found that out with Phil when he stepped in.

“It’s just nice to be able to do what you do whether you’re the concertgoer or whether you’re the concert performer,” he added. “Let’s get back to normal. Let’s do what we do best. Let’s have a little bit of fun.”

Demmel previously filled in for Linsk at OVERKILL‘s November 13, 2021 concert at The Wellmont Theater in Montclair, New Jersey. The gig marked OVERKILL‘s first pandemic-era performance — “609 f!!kin’ days” after they were supposed to play the same venue before the coronavirus crisis forced everything to shut down.

Ellsworth and Demmel are bandmates in BPMD which released its debut album, “American Made”, in June 2020 via Napalm Records. Also featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (THE WINERY DOGS, SONS OF APOLLO) and bassist Mark Menghi (METAL ALLEGIANCE), the LP was previously described as a “10-track homage to some of rock music’s greatest treasures.”

OVERKILL‘s U.S. tour with PRONG will kick off on March 3 in Poughkeepsie, New York and conclude on March 19 in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

In addition to the U.S. tour, OVERKILL has several international dates throughout the rest of the year, including a festival in the United Kingdom and concerts in Ireland in May; the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany plus other festival appearances in Romania and Germany in August; and a festival in Mexico in September.

OVERKILL has spent the last few months recording its new studio album for a tentative 2022 release.

In November 2020, OVERKILL bassist D.D. Verni told MetalAsylum.net that the band’s new LP would be mixed by Colin Richardson. “He did a couple of records for us, and he’s great,” Verni said.

Richardson previously worked with OVERKILL on 1997’s “From The Underground And Below”, 2000’s “Bloodletting” and 2003’s “Killbox 13”.

Former MACHINE HEAD and current VIO-LENCE guitarist Phil Demmel will fill in for Dave Linsk at OVERKILL‘s November 13 concert at The Wellmont Theater in Montclair, New Jersey. The gig will mark OVERKILL‘s first pandemic-era performance — “609 f!!kin’ days” after they were supposed to play the same venue before the coronavirus crisis forced everything to shut down.

OVERKILL singer Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth comments: “We had a few issues getting this rescheduled show together. But to hell with the issues, we all have problems. And wouldn’t you know it, our bro and yours Phil Demmel to the rescue. The show must and will go on. See you at the Welmomt Jersey…”

Demmel states: “So excited to jam with my bros in OVERKILL in New Jersey. I’m neck-deep in learning the parts and expect a raging show.”

OVERKILL drummer Jason Bittner says: “Even though I am disappointed that our very own Dave Linsk can not participate in this show, I am more than psyched and confident that my longtime friend Phil Demmel will get the job done for us. We have a long history together playing a bunch of NAMM events and have toured together in the past, so this should be a lot of fun.”

Ellsworth and Demmel are bandmates in BPMD which released its debut album, “American Made”, in June 2020 via Napalm Records. Also featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (THE WINERY DOGS, SONS OF APOLLO) and bassist Mark Menghi (METAL ALLEGIANCE), the LP was previously described as a “10-track homage to some of rock music’s greatest treasures.”

OVERKILL has spent the last few months recording its new studio album for a tentative early 2022 release.

In November 2020, OVERKILL bassist D.D. Verni told MetalAsylum.net that the band’s new LP would be mixed by Colin Richardson. “He did a couple of records for us, and he’s great,” Verni said.

Richardson previously worked with OVERKILL on 1997’s “From The Underground And Below”, 2000’s “Bloodletting” and 2003’s “Killbox 13”.