It is with immense disappointment that Slayer must postpone its UK and European tour that had been set to kick off on November 18 in the UK, and take the band on 19 dates through Europe, ending on December 17 in Germany. The tour will be rescheduled to kick off on March 7 in England (complete itinerary is below).

Vocalist/bassist Tom Araya has been under the care of a specialist for a back injury, and while he has already made substantial improvement, he is continuing on with doctor-prescribed treatment.

"Right now," said Slayer's manager, Rick Sales, "our main concern must be the full and permanent recovery of Tom, so we have decided to clear the calendar and give him the extra time he needs to concentrate solely on good health."

Last week, Slayer announced the postponement of its east coast "Canadian Carnage" co-headline tour with Megadeth; those dates will be rescheduled in February 2010.

The new UK/European schedule is:

MARCH 7th - ENG, Manchester Academy

MARCH 8th - ENG, London Forum

MARCH 9th - ENG, London Forum

MARCH 11th - FRA, Paris Bataclan

MARCH 13th - GER, Bochum Ruhrcongress

MARCH 15th - HOL, Tilburg 013

MARCH 16th - HOL, Tilburg 013

MARCH 17th - BEL, Brussels AB

MARCH 18th - GER, Herford X

MARCH 20th - GER, Berlin Columbiahalle

MARCH 21th - GER, Hamburg Docks

MARCH 22nd - GER, Cologne Live Music Hall

MARCH 24th - GER, Dresden Alter Schlachtof

MARCH 25th - AUT, Vienna Gasometer Early Show

MARCH 26th - GER, Munich Zenith (transferred from Tonhalle)

MARCH 28th - ITA, Milan Alcatraz

MARCH 29th - ITA, Milan Alcatraz

MARCH 30th - SWI, Zurich Volkshaus Late Show

MARCH 31th - GER, Wiesbaden Schlachthof

APRIL 2nd - ENG, Nottingham Rock City

APRIL 3rd - SCO, Glasgow Barrowland

APRIL 4th - ENG, Leeds Academy

APRIL 5th - ENG, Birmingham Academy