Posts Tagged ‘Health’

Overkill Bow Out of Show Due to Frontman Bobby Blitz’s Pneumonia

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Testament and Overkill have been rocking stages hard over the past month, but being out on the road during cold and flu season is not always easy. Overkill frontman Bobby Blitz has been dealing with a cold over the course of the trek that recently turned into something more serious. Overkill bowed out of the tour’s show Friday night (Feb. 15) in Huntington, N.Y, which led the band to reveal Blitz’s worsening ailment as the reason for canceling the show and potentially other dates in the immediate future. Their statement on the matter reads as follows: We are terribly sorry that we had to cancel our performance last night [February 15], but let’s put the rumors to rest, before speculation runs rampant. Blitz [singer Bobby Ellsworth] was diagnosed with what is called ‘walking pneumonia,’ and was medically advised to not perform due to it potentially getting worse if he did. When the health risk is no longer an issue, he’ll be ready to kick ass once again. Overkill’s dates with Testament and support acts Flotsam and Jetsam and 4ARM are scheduled to run through the end of the month. To see the remaining stops, click here . The band has been out on the road promoting their ‘The Electric Age’ album. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/overkill-bobby-blitz-east-coast-thrash-metal-young-fans-more/” title=”Next: Bobby Blitz Talks East Coast Thrash Metal + More” align=”center”]

Meshuggah Vocalist Jens Kidman Misses U.S. Shows Due to Illness, Replaced by Cardboard Cutout

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Meshuggah vocalist Jens Kidman has been fighting a serious flu during his band’s current North American tour with Animals as Leaders + Intronaut . Since Feb. 12, Kidman has been unable to perform because of his affliction, forcing the rest of the Swedish extreme metal band to get creative with filling Kidman’s vacant spot. Tonight (Feb. 15), Meshuggah are hitting New York City for a crushing performance, but since Jens Kidman hasn’t been healthy enough to perform in Atlanta, Ga., Charlotte, N.C. and Philadelphia, respectfully, the vocalist is still questionable for the show, along with Meshuggah’s remaining North American dates . The band took to Facebook on Feb. 12, breaking the bad news of Kidman’s illness to their Atlanta fans: Jens is down with the flu. And this flu means business. He has been forbidden to even speak. He’s mute for now. WE WILL PLAY ANYWAY. So memorize the lyrics and bring your very best growl Atlanta. You will all be Jens tonight!! Lets make this happen! We hope he’s back tomorrow, or it’ll be vocal-duties Charlotte! To help replicate Meshuggah’s heavier-than-hell live show, the group brought a cardboard cutout of Kidman onto the stage to fill his empty space, while a live vocal track from a past Meshuggah performance blasted through the speakers. Intronaut guitarist / vocalist Sacha Dunable has also been giving Meshuggah a helping hand (or voice) by claiming guest vocal duties for ‘New Millennium Cyanide Christ.’ Kidman himself posted an apology via Meshuggah’s Facebook page right before the act’s Feb. 13 Charlotte gig: I just need to say a few words here guys. I’m truly unable to perform tonight. Again. Me not being able to do what I’m supposed to do is really really frustrating and I feel that I’m letting you all down. Not just you, the fans, but the band as well. But we try to make the absolute best we can out of this situation. So its either cancel OR play for you guys anyway. We opt for playing. Its what we’re here to do. So that’s what we’ll do. With your help it’ll be awesome. I will see the doctor again tomorrow and will hopefully get a green light to perform in Philly. Fingers crossed. So a big humble thanks goes out to all of you for your support and understanding!! Let the mayhem commence Charlotte!!! /Jens Stay tuned for more news on Meshuggah and the health status of Jens Kidman. Meshuggah Perform ‘Bleed’ with Cardboard Jens Kidman (Live in Atlanta) Meshuggah Perform ‘New Millenium Cyanide Christ’ with Sacha Dunable (Live in Atlanta) [button href=”http://loudwire.com/meshuggah-bleed-top-21st-century-metal-songs/” title=”Meshuggah – Top 21st Century Metal Songs” align=”center”]

Slayer’s Kerry King on Next Album: ‘I’m Very Comfortable Saying That It Will Be Out This Year’

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Although Slayer have a way to go in recording their next album and there is no set timetable for when it may come out, guitarist Kerry King has stated that he is “very comfortable saying” that the record will see a 2013 release date. ‘That Metal Show’ host Eddie Trunk spoke with King at the 2013 NAMM convention and nabbed a comment from the legendary thrash guitarist. “We have two songs that we completed last May and just need mixing,” reveals King. “We have another that just needs vocals and leads and me and [drummer]  Dave [Lombardo]  are working on a complete new one that we haven’t demoed. The whole hold-up now that seems to happen with every album we do is that Rick Rubin wants to change distributors. So we’re left in limbo until he lands somewhere. Realistically we are without a deal, but we plan on staying with Rick. When that gets settled we will start recording. I’m very comfortable saying that it will be out this year.” King also commented on the health of guitarist Jeff Hanneman , who is still recovering from necrotizing fasciitis after suffering a spider bite. “Not to sound weird, but when you get off tour, you scatter. And [it’s not] because I hate him, I don’t talk to him because I had enough of him! I don’t even talk to [singer] Tom [Araya]. The only reason I talk to Dave is that we rehearse all the time. When I go off tour I just want to go chill and be Kerry, not Kerry King. From what I know he’s still trying to get basic in the game.” Hanneman has unfortunately not been able to contribute to the next Slayer record as of yet. “I have enough material on my own if need be, but I’m open,” King says. “If Jeff comes to the party with some new material, hell ya! I will play all the guitars. I’ve been playing all the guitars for years anyway, except for Jeff’s leads.” Check out Eddie Trunk’s full interview with Kerry King below. Slayer’s Kerry King Talks With Eddie Trunk ? [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-slayer-songs/” title=”10 Best Slayer Songs” align=”center”]

Shinedown’s Brent Smith on Kathie Lee Gifford’s ‘Meat Loaf’ Remark: ‘My Heart Fell to the Ground’

Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com You wouldn’t know it by looking at him today, but there was a period not too long ago that Shinedown singer Brent Smith was struggling with both drug and alcohol addiction, as well as weight issues. Part of the reason Smith is built as well as he is these days is due to his newfound commitment to his health, and he discussed his transformation with the Los Angeles Times . Smith says, “The weight came on about four years ago. I’ve toured for over 12 years and for the first two records I was doing tons of shows all the time. And for those two records I was addicted to cocaine, OxyContin and alcohol. The coke and Oxy kept my weight down, but for the third album I quit opiates and started to crave sugar. I was still drinking a lot of alcohol and started to pack on the pounds.” The singer says one of the big wake-up calls was when he made an appearance on the ‘Today’ show in 2009 and Kathie Lee Gifford stated that she mistook him for Meat Loaf . The vocalist says, “It really stung. I’m a fan of Meat Loaf, but she wasn’t talking about a musical comparison. It was national television and my heart kind of fell on the ground. I’m not trying to be disrespectful to Meat Loaf at all because I’m a fan, but here I am barely 30 years old and that’s the one thing that she says. It was like the performance didn’t even matter.” In the time since, Smith has found a trainer and made a commitment to live healthier for his family. He explained, “I have a four-year-old boy, and he was a huge motivation, and so were the fans. I had an epiphany working out with my trainer … and I haven’t had a drink since.” Since he began his workout regimen, the singer has dropped almost 70 pounds. To read more about Smith’s weight loss journey, check out his Los Angeles Times interview here . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-shinedown-album-readers-poll/” title=”Next: Vote for Shinedown’s Best Album” align=”center”]

Singer Adam Gontier Explains Departure From Three Days Grace

Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com As Three Days Grace fans continue to absorb the surprising news from earlier today (Jan. 9) that frontman Adam Gontier has left the band, the singer himself has released a heartfelt letter explaining his departure. We reported  that Three Days Grace have announced that Gontier left the band due to health issues and has been replaced by My Darkest Days singer Matt Walst for the band’s upcoming tour with Shinedown. With the unspecified ‘health issues’ being cited as the reason, speculation stirred that it might be connected to Gontier’s previously publicized struggles with drugs and addiction. But Gontier explains that he is perfectly sober and is just ready for a new chapter in his life. See Adam Gontier’s full ‘Address of Resignation’ from Three Days Grace below: To all of my fans, my friends, my family, these are my words coming from my heart, separate from my role as “lead singer of Three Days Grace”. I want you all to know how very thankful I am for your consistent love, your respect, and you’re undying support. It is important for me to address any concerns regarding my health being connected to drugs or addiction. The truth is, when I was struggling during that dark time in my life, I hit rock bottom, and I had the kindest of people reach out from all over the world, and reach their hands out to help pick me up. I am so blessed to be walking in the light now. I am reminded of your loyalty, always. The truth is, and I’m very proud to say this…, I am sober. That chapter in my life is over. There have been many defining moments in my life. My time as part of Three Days Grace is most definitely one of the miraculous ones. I have had so many tender hearted people share with me their stories. How I’ve touched, or changed their lives. My truth is that all of the love I have received has forever changed my life. Each letter I’ve read, every picture I’ve been sent, all of the voices I’ve heard sing along with me, I will forever remember, and never forget… After twenty years of being part of an ever evolving band, I have been inspired by life, to move on and to continue to evolve on my own terms. I could not be more grateful for all the souls who have travelled along with me. A journey I look back on with integrity, and a future I look forward to with such hope. I have always admired brave hearts. Life is always changing. I will continue to follow my heart, and what I love to do. I’m not sure what the next horizon will look like, but I do have all the faith in the world that whatever it is, It’s meant to be, and I have faith that blessings will continue to shine over all of us. I once heard a “brave heart” say: “When nothing is sure, everything is possible.” It’s because of my life’s journey, because of all of you, that I believe. Sincerely, with love, Adam Three Days Grace, with Matt Walst on vocals, are set to embark on a co-headlining tour with Shinedown at the beginning of February. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/matt-walst-new-role-three-days-grace-singer-status-my-darkest-days/” title=”Next: Matt Walst Discusses Role as New Singer of Three Days Grace” align=”center”]

Baroness’ John Baizley Updates Fans on Health, Jams ‘Stretchmarker’ Acoustically

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Ever since a gruesome bus crash caused the career of Georgian eclectic collective Baroness to come to a screeching halt, the band has been healing in a multitude of ways. Frontman John Baizley severely broke his left arm and leg, drummer Allen Blickle and bassist Matt Maggioni suffered fractured vertebrae, while guitarist Pete Adams was treated for more minor injuries. Despite the horrific pause in the timeline of Baroness, Baizley has written yet another uplifting entry on his health, along with video footage of ‘Stretchmarker’ from their 2012 double album, ‘Yellow & Green,’ played acoustically. Two months after the August bus crash in England, we had the honor to facilitate the very first interview with John Baizley since the accident. Within the hour-long discussion, Baizley opened up about his injuries, the slow recovery process and even how the wreck affected his life as a father. Now, Baizley has released another update, which can be simply described as remarkably inspirational: Simply put: it’s time to get back to it. Since my belated and thankful return to the USA (after our painful test in motor coach-aeronautics) I can definitively say I’ve exhausted my reserve of potential leisure activities (there’s not that many of them, after all). I’ve come dreadfully close to boredom, and in those moments I can’t help but focus on my glaring physical infirmities. Television offers little respite from this relative stasis; I’m sure by now I have sampled every biker-meth-dealer-zombie-low-talking-cop-crime-scene-serial-killer-real-housewife soap opera that is currently being broadcast (and there’s no small number of them). I’ve tried to fill my weekly routine with as much physical therapy as possible but the truth is, PT is not fun, and its benefits come with a great deal of mental/physical/spiritual pain and struggle. Furthermore, I believe I am getting a touch of Stockholm Syndrome when it comes to my doctors and therapists (the highlight of my week should NOT involve a clinic). Music might be the best therapy I have right now. Perhaps it’s both the cause and the cure (the thought has crossed my mind); but I feel lost without it.  Pete and I have just spent a long week surveying our musical wreckage and, surprisingly, we are quite well and intact. Sure, there are some substantial obstacles to overcome before we write, record or perform any time soon; but we still have everything we need to get ‘back in’ that particular ’saddle again.’ Most of my peers are familiar with such high-school-gym-teacher poeticisms as ‘risk equals reward’ and ‘no pain, no gain;’ but did any of us every really believe there was any real wisdom in those adolescent platitudes? I didn’t. I am, however, starting to understand the essence of these and many of our other favorite clichés. As odd as it might be for me to write these ‘updates’ after 10 years of personal silence on the internet, I feel that I owe everyone who’s voiced or given their support to  Baroness a brief synopsis of our situation and more importantly a heartfelt thanks.  Honestly, it has made this ordeal much easier on me. What little publicity that surrounds our crash has given voice to so many people who have shared their own stories of injury, trauma and struggle with us, and has furthered my own faith in the communicative and universal strength of music. As every singer on every stage has nightly said, ‘we wouldn’t be where we are without you.’ Thanks everyone. We look forward to seeing you soon. Here’s a short clip of a song we wrote.” Check out John Baizley and Pete Adams performing an acoustic cover of ‘Stretchmarker.’ Baroness, ‘Stretchmarker’ (Acoustic Jam) [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-rock-albums-of-2012/” title=”Baroness – Best Rock Albums of 2012″ align=”center”]

Daily Reload: Lemmy Kilmister, the Osbournes + More

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister calls Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney a “f—ing monster.” [ Loudwire ] The Osbourne family recently went through another health scare, with Sharon Osbourne opting to have a double mastectomy surgery. [ Loudwire ] As I Lay Dying vocalist Tim Lambesis shares some memories of late Suicide Silence vocalist Mitch Lucker. [ Loudwire ] Despite a courtroom declaration by one of her managers, Courtney Love has stated that she will not be making a musical about her relationship with late husband and Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. [ Loudwire ] Anthrax bassist Frank Bello talks the reissue of ‘Worship Music,’ covering Journey and more in a new interview. [ Loudwire ] ‘Whiplash’ or ‘Jump in the Fire’ … which is your preferred Metallica track? Vote for your personal favorite here. [ Ultimate Metallica ] Kiss release ‘The Casablanca Singles 1974-1982.’ [ Rock Music Report ] 30 year ago, Brian Wilson was fired from the Beach Boys. Take a look back here. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] Lindsay Buckingham says that Fleetwood Mac have recorded “maybe half” of a new record. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] Which musicians would you vote to put into the Oval Office? Check out the list of 10 Rockers Who Should Be President here. [ Diffuser.fm ]