Even as their 21st album, Aftershock, is set to be their highest-charting album in America, Motörhead just released a statement that they’re putting off touring until next year, with the band being forced to cancel their European tour. With singer/bassist Lemmy having gone through some heart issues earlier this year, via a posting on his Facebook page, the iconic frontman stated that he’s not quite ready to tour yet:

I have to sadly let you know that Motörhead has had to postpone the forthcoming European tour until early next year, 2014. We have made the decision because I am not quite ready to hit the road yet, and am working my way back to full fitness and rude health. Don’t worry – I’m not about to start promoting veganism and alcohol-free beverages, but it is fair to say that I personally have been reconfiguring areas of my life to make sure I can come back fitter and stronger than ever.

It disappointed me tremendously to have to say I wasn’t quite ready to hit the road yet, but not nearly as much as it would’ve disappointed me to go out, play some average shows and watch my health give way long before the tour was over! When people come to see a Motörhead tour, they expect a Motörhead show, and that is exactly what you will get as soon as I am fit and ready to rumble.

Your patience and understanding is appreciated…and know that I’m getting stronger and stronger every day, so watch out next spring Europe and we will see you then.

The tour was slated to kick off on November 7 in Switzerland and go on for about a month. The band’s most recent show, on August 2 at the Wacken Open Air festival, was cut short after six songs. Earlier this year, the frontman was outfitted with a defibrillator, and while he initially thought it wouldn’t be too much of a hassle, it’s obviously taking a little more time for the 68 year-old to recover than he or the rest or the band thought.