Metalcore Drummer Falls Off Tour After Injuring Hands Fighting Robber

Stephen Arango, the drummer for Texas metalcore band Traitors, has dropped off the group’s tour with Attack Attack starting tomorrow (17 May) after injuring his hands fighting off a robber.

Southpaw drummer Harrison Linder will fill in during the tour spanning from tomorrow through to mid-June.

Arango revealed that he heading towards his Las Vegas hotel room when the altercation occurred, resulting in “multiple breaks + parts of my hand shattered & chipped”. You can read his full statement below:

“Heartbroken to announce that I won’t be joining my Traitors brothers this tour for the Attack Attack run.

“2 nights ago in Vegas, a man tried to rob me on the way back to my hotel which led to us scrapping & unfortunately breaking my fist on his face during the altercation. Due to the impact of the hits, i have multiple breaks + parts of my hand shattered & chipped which means I will unfortunately need to undergo hand surgery so will have to sit out this run til I’m recovered.

“Thankfully I’m happy to announce my good friend Harrison Linder will be fillin in for me so make sure to show him love this run. I will return soon & will be finishing the Traitors album while I’m home. Thanks for the nonstop support & here’s hopefully to a speedy recovery.

“Ive had multiple ppl try to send me money towards my surgery which means the world, bt I don’t believe in taking from our friends/supporters, Bt if you would like to support, feel free to pick up an item from my Merch shop ! Every dollar made will help toward surgery cost”.

Earlier this year, Traitors vocalist Tyler Shelton penned an open letter that blasted the metal music industry and the scene at large. You can read that here.

Traitors formed in 2013 and have released four albums to date: The Hate Campaign in 2015, 2016's Mental State, Anger Issues in 2018, and its follow-up, Repent, a year later. 

The band returned with a new single, Menace II Society, in August 2021, before releasing Enemy in March last year and Nu World Order in October. Last week Traitors shared the explosive new single, Bitter.

Check out their merchandise here.