Sludge metal legends Crowbar have been forced to pull the plug on their highly anticipated European summer tour. The cancellation comes after frontman and founding member Kirk Windstein disclosed that a painful spinal condition has severely flared up.
The veteran heavy metal act was initially slated to kick off their European trek on July 27, 2026, at the Rockstadt Extreme Fest, with the final performance scheduled for August 7 at the Alcatraz Metal Festival. Unfortunately, Windstein recently took to social media to share a video message explaining that his current medical situation makes international travel impossible.
The acclaimed guitarist and vocalist opened up about his ongoing battle with a bilateral synovial cyst located on his spine. Fans may recall that this exact same medical hurdle forced him to perform seated during last year’s Crowbar and Eyehategod stateside run.
“Hey everybody, Kirk Windstein from Crowbar here, and I have an announcement to make,” Windstein stated (as transcribed by Metal Addicts). “As everybody knows, or most fans know, I had to perform sitting down last year during the Crowbar / Eyehategod U.S. tour. I have a bilateral synovial cyst on my spine that is beginning to flare up again, and it’s giving me a lot of problems.”
“To cut straight to the point, it’s acting up. It has been for a couple of weeks now. So I’ll begin physical therapy tomorrow morning. Unfortunately, we have to cancel this upcoming European tour.”
Emphasizing the weight of his decision, Windstein pointed out his incredibly consistent track record over the course of his extensive career, stating that skipping a tour is completely unprecedented for him.
“I have been touring for 36 years, and I’ve never cancelled a tour. But due to my physical health at this point, I’m unable to get on plane flights and ride in the van for two weeks, and, you know, catch two flights home.”
While acknowledging the inevitable letdown for his European supporters, the dedicated musician offered a sincere apology and expressed his commitment to returning to those specific markets once his health improves.
“So I do apologize, and I understand you will be disappointed, understandably, but we’re going to do everything we can do to make up these shows. We’re not rescheduling the tour, but just to make up these cities next year when we’re over in Europe with Crowbar,” Windstein concluded.
Canceled Crowbar 2026 European Tour Dates:
- Jul 27 – Brașov, Romania – Rockstadt Extreme Fest
- Jul 28 – Belgrade, Serbia – Belgrade
- Jul 29 – Pécs, Hungary – Pécsi Est
- Jul 30 – Cham, Germany – L.A. Cham
- Jul 31 – Łącznik, Poland – Łącznik
- Aug 01 – Löbnitz, Germany – Full Rewind
- Aug 02 – Essen, Germany – Turock
- Aug 03 – Aschaffenburg, Germany – Colos-Saal
- Aug 04 – Munich, Germany – Backstage
- Aug 05 – Jaroměř, Czech Republic – Brutal Assault Festival
- Aug 06 – Frankfurt am Main, Germany – Das Bett
- Aug 07 – Kortrijk, Belgium – Alcatraz Metal Festival
