Rage Against the Machine’s Zack De La Rocha has informed us we will not be raging against any machine in 2023, revealing the recovery from his torn achillies tendon injury will need more tome and that as a result the band has decided to ixnay the 2023 North American tour dates.
One might recall Zach injuring his leg just a few days into the band’s summer tour. Thanks to the power of the Internet we witness the injury in real-ish time (depending on your algorithm). Determined to keep the tour going, Zack performed each night while kicking’ it on a road touring case which resulted in a 100% drop in stage jumps.
When the North American leg ended the band called off their U.K. and European leg, acting on medical guidance.
Zach issued a public statement sharing his dissappointment over next years North American tour cancellation while further explaining the significance of his injury.
“It’s been almost three months since Chicago and I still look down at my leg in disbelief. Two years of waiting through the pandemic hoping we would have an opening to be a band again and continue the work we started 30 some odd years ago. Rehearsing, training, reconciling, working our way back to form. Then one-and-a-half shows into it and my tendon tears. Felt like a sick joke the universe played on me. As I write this I remind myself it’s just bad circumstance. Just a fucked up moment.
Unfortunately it is a moment that requires a lot of work and healing. I have a severe tear in my left achilles tendon and only 8 percent of my tendon was left intact. And even that was severely compromised. It’s not simply a question of being able to perform again, but extends to basic functionality going forward. That’s why I’ve made the painful and difficult decision to cancel the remaining shows on our 2023 North American leg.
I hate cancelling shows. I hate disappointing our fans. You have all waited so patiently to see us and that is never lost on me. I never take that for granted. For you I have the ultimate gratitude and respect.
To my brothers Tim, Brad, and Tom; to El P, Killer Mike, Trackstar and the whole RTJ crew; to everyone on our production team: techs, cooks, drivers, assistants, security squad, to anyone and everyone who made the shows thus far possible, all my love and respect. I hope to see you very soon.”
– Zack de la Rocha.
