Sometimes the best way to try to deal with loss is by forging onward. While Black Tusk is still likely reeling from the loss of their bassist, Athon, from a motorcycle accident last month, they’re continuing on with their already-scheduled European tour with Black Label Society next year. Former Kylesa and current Niche bassist Corey Barhorst will be filling in. Here’s what the band has said about their decision to carry on:

“It’s been an incredibly trying time for us over the past month and we want to thank everyone for their support. We had confirmed the tour with Black Label Society and finished the new album before Athon’s accident and Athon, specifically, had been very excited about the opportunity to tour with BLS and we feel there’s no way he’d want things to end on this note. Corey Barhorst, formerly of Kylesa and currently of Niche, will be stepping in for Athon for the time being. All of us go back over 10 years and Corey seemed the natural choice to carry on for Athon.” 

It’s obvious that the band, who had just finished recording their fifth album, would want to honor Athon by continuing on. In the meantime, if you’re interested in donating to a memorial fund for Athon, his girlfriend and his family, you can do that at AthonFund@gmail.com,

The European tour dates with Black Label Society and Crobot are as follows:

2/11 Glasgow, UK @ 02 ABC
2/12 Birmingham, UK @ The Institute
2/13 London, UK @ Roundhouse
2/14 Bristol, UK @ Bristol 02 Academy
2/15 Leeds, UK @ Leeds 02 Academy
2/17 Norwich, UK @ Norwich UEA
2/18 Nottingham, UK @ Rock City
2/19 Manchester, UK @ Manchester Academy
2/21 Amsterdam, NL @Melkweg
2/22 Brussels, BE @ Ancienne Belgique
2/24 Frankfurt, DE @ Batschkapp
2/25 Dortmund, DE @ FZW Freitzeitzentrum West
2/26 Paris, FR @ Le Bataclan
2/27 Strasbourg, FR @ La Laitere
3/01 Aarhus, DK @ Train
3/03 Oslo, NO @ Rockefeller Music Hall
3/05 Stockholm, SE @ Close Up Baten (Crusie)
3/06 Helsinki, FI @ Nosturl
3/08 Tallinn, EE @ Rock Cafe
3/09 Vilnius, LT @ Forum Palace
3/11 Gdansk, PL @ B90
3/12 Krakow, PL @ Studio
3/14 Pratteln, CH @ Z7
3/15 Lausanne, CH @ Les Docks