Testament’s Chuck Billy Tests Positive for Coronavirus

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Last week, thrash veterans Testament, Exodus and Death Angel completed their “The Bay Strikes Back 2020” European tour and returned home, but many of the band members appear to have come back with an unwelcome passenger: COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus. Exodus (and former Slayer) guitarist Gary Holt revealed via social media that he is suffering “all the symptoms” of the illness — he reported that he and his wife were tested on Friday (March 20th) but will have to wait “seven to 10 days” for results. Meanwhile, Death Angel drummer Will Carroll was admitted into an intensive care unit at a California hospital after falling “very ill.” Now, Testament have announced that their frontman, Chuck Billy — along with his wife, Tiffany — has tested positive for COVID-19. The thrash stalwarts are scheduled to release their highly anticipated new album Titans of Creation, on April 3rd via Nuclear Blast — no word yet on whether current events will affect those plans.

“As many of you already know, after returning from the ‘Bay Strikes Back’ over Europe Tour last week, some of us in Testament have been feeling unwell and have made the decision along with our Doctors to be tested for the COVID-19 novel coronavirus,” the band said in a joint statement. “As of yesterday morning, Chuck and [his wife] Tiffany Billy’s tests have come back positive as well as some crew members.

“We wanted to reach out to everyone who has been supporting us and expressing concern to inform you that we are doing what’s right, and what’s safe, and have all been quarantining ourselves since our return home; since before we were even tested. We are of course concerned for our families, our friends, our crew, our fellow musicians, and our fans. We’ve reached out to support our fellow Bay Area Bands who are also being proactive in their own camps, staying quarantined and safe, and will speak on their individual situations if and when they are ready to.

“At this moment we are currently focused on staying safe and quarantined, resting, getting ourselves back to health, and of course, sending well wishes, prayers, and positive energy towards our friends who are also sick. We also want to send well wishes to all of our fans and supporters in this time of crisis. We’re taking all the necessary steps to stay safe at home and we ask our friends and fans to do the same. Please take care of each other, and stay healthy so we can continue to thrash in the not so distant future!” See the full post below.