JEFF PLATE To Miss First Two Shows Of SAVATAGE's 'Prelude To Madness' 2026 Tour; TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA's BLAS ELIAS To Step In
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Drummer Jeff Plate of progressive metal pioneers SAVATAGE will miss the first two shows of the band's "Prelude To Madness" spring/summer 2026 European tour. He will be temporarily replaced by Blas Elias, who has previously played with TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, SLAUGHTER and RATT's Stephen Pearcy.
Earlier today (Thursday, May 21),Plate released the following message via social media: "Hey SAVATAGE fans, hey friends. Jeff Plate here. I hope everyone is doing well, getting ready for summer and getting ready to enjoy some live music wherever you might be. Speaking of, SAVATAGE has two amazing shows coming up in the first week of June. For the very first time, the band will be performing at Sweden Rock on June 4, followed by Heavy Weekend in France on June 5. Sharing the stage with IRON MAIDEN and SABATON respectively, these are going to be fantastic shows.
"Unfortunately, I will not be able to be there with the band for these two shows. Three years ago I experienced very intense, chronic nosebleeds which resulted in some dangerous blood loss and serious health concerns. This issue was taken care of surgically and all has been good — until a few weeks ago, when the bleeds started again. Having gone through this before, my management and I decided it was best that I not travel, especially by air, until this issue is again addressed and resolved.
"In my place will be Blas Elias, who has been part of the SAVATAGE/TSO family for a decade and is the perfect man for the job. Blas is a huge fan of the music and has already played some of these songs live with TSO. His years working with Al Pitrelli and Johnny Middleton will make this a seamless transition — the band will be tight and flawless and sound fantastic.
"It goes without saying how disappointed I am, but things happen and health is the obvious priority. Having said that, I am confident my doctors will take care of this problem and I will be back with the band in July for the next run in Europe.
"Thank you in advance for your concern, support, and well wishes. If you are lucky enough to see SAVATAGE at these festivals, raise your fists, sing along, and enjoy some of the best progressive metal music ever written!
Plate added: "[This is] an unfortunate announcement, but in the end everything will be fine. In a best case/ worst case scenario, this is definitely best case. The situation came up with plenty of time for the band, and myself, to address the problem and move forward. SAVATAGE will rock these shows, and I will be ready for our run starting in July. Thank you from the band and myself for the support!"
The 2026 "Prelude To Madness" tour will once again feature SAVATAGE's current lineup: vocalist Zak Stevens, guitarists Al Pitrelli and Chris Caffery, bassist Johnny Lee Middleton and drummer Jeff Plate (except for the first two shows, where he will be replaced by Blas Elias).
(Source: www.blabbermouth.net)
