James "Munky" Shaffer, co-founding guitarist of multi-platinum metal outfit Korn [ tickets ], ducked out of the group's European tour late last week to deal with an undisclosed family emergency.

Shaffer's departure occurred Jan. 15, just two days after the group launched the Euro outing. Underscoring the unexpected nature of that departure is a Jan. 13 blog entry Shaffer posted at his MySpace page, in which wrote that he was in Europe and was "looking forward to going back out and playing some more killer shows for all of you."

Taking over in Shaffer's absence is guitarist Shane Gibson, who had been filling the group's vacated second guitarist slot, originally occupied by co-founding guitarist Brian "Head" Welch; Welch announced in early 2005 that he had left the group after choosing "Jesus Christ as his savior" and would be "dedicating his musical pursuits to that end."

Gibson learned all of Shaffer's parts for 20 Korn songs in one day, according to a message posted at his website.

Meanwhile, stepping into the role of second guitarist in the wake of Gibson's promotion is Rob Patterson, who has played with the group on and off since 2005.

Shaffer is expected to return to the group, according to Gibson's management, which wrote in a message to LiveDaily: "When Munky is able to come back, Shane is expected to return to his backup guitarist's position."

With Shaffer out of the mix, fans will be seeing a Korn lineup comprising only two of the group's original members: singer Jonathan Davis and bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu. Drummer David Silveria has been on an indefinite hiatus from the band since 2006; Ray Luzier (Army of Anyone) is filling in behind the kit during the European tour.

Korn continues to support its untitled 2007 album, which hit stores last July. The group is scheduled to tour Europe through early March, and also has March dates lined up in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Jahannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa. Details are available at the band's website.