Meshuggah cancel summer 2021 touring plans, say new album is in the works

In a statement released earlier today, July 21st, Swedish extreme metallers Meshuggah announced the cancellation of their summer 2021 touring plans (rescheduled from their summer 2020 touring plans), which consisted mostly of festival appearances. The band cite “logistical reasons” for the reason of said cancelled summer 2021 trekkage.

Meshuggah also note that touring next summer would affect the progress of the band’s new studio album, the follow-up to 2016’s ‘The Violent Sleep of Reason’ on Nuclear Blast. Understandably, the band would rather focus on their fresh LP during the first half of 2021, as opposed to hitting the road.

Here’s the full statement from the band:

As previously communicated our intent was to keep our commitment to all festivals and shows planned for summer 2020, that couldn’t take place due to the Covid-19 pandemic, by re-confirming them for the same dates in summer 2021. Full Force Festival is one of these festivals that has already been re-confirmed and re-announced.

However, after seeing some of the other festivals move to completely different weekends in 2021, we eventually found it impossible to go ahead with the tour next summer due to logistical reasons. Which also means that Meshuggah have to cancel their planned appearance at Full Force 2021.

Another influential part of the decision to not tour in summer 2021 is that Covid-19 restrictions have also affected Meshuggah’s progress with a new studio album, to a point where we now see the need to keep summer 2021 clear to put finishing touches to the album.

Meshuggah and their management would like to apologize to all fans and promoters being affected by this.
Some good news is to be found in here though: there is a new Meshuggah album coming…

Related: Meshuggah’s Tomas Haake is featured on the upcoming Imperial Triumphant record ‘Alphaville’ — check out new songs “City Swine,” “Atomic Age” and “Rotted Futures.”

Photos by Olle Carlsson