Twin Cities metalheads will really be banging their heads over this one: The triple-threat tour with Megadeth, Slayer and Testament scheduled to land Feb. 4 at Roy Wilkins Auditorium has been postponed because Slayer singer/bassist Tom Araya, 48, needs back surgery. The tour likely will resume in April, and the St. Paul show is expected to be rescheduled. In the meantime, fans should hang onto their tickets and stay tuned for another announcement within a few days, a Wilkins representative said on Thursday.

Slayer's manager, Rick Sales, said in a press release, "As unfortunate as this is for so many people -- the Megadeth and Testament camps, the concerts' promoters and, of course, the fans -- Tom's health is the number-one priority, and this has to happen."

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER