KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Joel Stroetzel has left the band's European tour to due to a family emergency. KILLSWITCH production stage/manager Josh Mihlek is filling in for Joel for a few songs at the final two shows of the band trek: Vienna (February 17) and Prague (February 18).

Fan-filmed video footage of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE performing as a four-piece earlier tonight in Vienna can be seen below.

Stroetzel previously missed a few KILLSWITCH ENGAGE in July 2014 due to another family emergency. For those dates, the recruited Ken Susi from UNEARTH to step in for several songs.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE is putting the finishing touches on a new album, due later in the year.

The follow-up to 2016's "Incarnate" will mark the Massachusetts metallers' third full-length effort since the return of singer Jesse Leach, who rejoined the group in 2012.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's next disc will be released via Metal Blade Records in the U.S. and Sony Music Entertainment in the rest of the world. The effort will feature a guest appearance on one song by the band's former lead singer Howard Jones.

The group's last release was the "Beyond The Flames: Home Video Part II" two-disc, Blu-ray and CD package.