Suicide Silence has announced that Ian Waye of Soreption will serve as a temporary replacement guitarist for Chris Garza during his current hiatus. The announcement was shared on Suicide Silence’s official Instagram account.
Guitarist Mark Heylmun addressed the band’s situation and the upcoming touring plans in a detailed statement.
“Hey everyone, with the news of Garza’s hiatus I thought I’d share some things I feel pertinent,” Heylmun said. “I’ve been in this band since 2005. I did not start this band, but I’ve been a part of creating every piece of music (for better or worse) that you’ve heard minus the EP and early demos. I did play the EP release show at showcase theatre in my first months of joining.”
Heylmun also shared personal details about his own previous break from the band.
“I took a break from the band for about 9 months in 2019 because I was preparing for my father’s passing who was fighting cancer and I knew it was only a matter of time,” he continued. “I never shared that publicly because I didn’t want my dad to know I was taking the break because of him. I’d have taken a longer break but was asked to come back to help write what became Become The Hunter.”
The guitarist expressed his support for Garza’s decision while emphasizing the band’s commitment to continuing.
“I fully support/respect Garza’s decision to take a break,” Heylmun said. “That said, SS is a part of my blood and DNA at this point and this band has always been a 5 headed dragon and the show must go on, and it will.”
“I speak for the guys when I say we’re stoked to have a ripping fill in step up to the plate for all upcoming shows,” he added. “We are bringing our friend Ian Waye of Soreption on board as fill in for the upcoming European and Asian tours. For anyone familiar with Ian’s playing you know he has a heavy right hand and can rip with the best of em. If it’s brief or if it’s for a while, we are gonna bring some serious firepower to every stage we step foot on as we always have. Can’t wait to see you all on the road!”
The addition of Waye brings significant technical expertise to Suicide Silence’s live performances during this transitional period.
Waye has established himself as a formidable presence in the extreme metal scene through his work with Swedish technical death metal band Soreption. His YouTube channel revealed that Waye recently joined the Jackson Guitars artist roster, highlighting his recognition within the guitar community. His technical proficiency and aggressive playing style have made him a sought-after musician in the death metal circuit.
The guitarist’s dedication to his craft is evident in his practice regimen and musical focus. As he noted on his social media, “If you are wondering where I am I’ll forever be practicing Necrophagist stuff,” demonstrating his commitment to mastering some of the most technically demanding material in extreme metal.
Metal Anarchy confirmed that Suicide Silence have announced all upcoming tour dates will proceed as planned despite Garza’s hiatus. The band’s decision to continue touring with Waye ensures that fans will still experience the full intensity of their live performances across Europe and Asia.
The band will continue with their scheduled European and Asian tours with Waye filling in on guitar duties. This maintains their reputation for delivering powerful live shows while respecting Garza’s need for personal time away from the band.
