Wie Jon Schaffer von Iced Earth bekannt gab, muss die Band alle Sommertermine – unter anderem den Auftritt auf dem Wacken Open Air Festival – absagen. Grund ist eine Nackenverletzung, die Schaffer sich 1996 zugezogen hat und die ihn immer wieder plagt.
Nach bereits einer erfolgten Operation im Jahr 2000 muss Schaffer in diesem Jahr erneut unters Messer, um schlimmere Komplikationen zu verhindern. Dieser Eingriff war zunächst für den September geplant, einem Monat in dem Iced Earth ohnehin pausieren wollten.
Es wurde Schaffer jedoch dringend angeraten, diese Operation besser früher als später hinter sich zu bringen, weshalb sich die Band gezwungen sieht, einige Termine abzusagen. Laut Iced Earth werden sie jedoch alles daran setzen, schnellstmöglich wieder auf den Bühnen dieser Welt unterwegs zu sein.
Hier das Original-Statement von Jon Schaffer in englischer Sprache:
It is with sincere apologies that I write to inform you all that Iced Earth is forced to cancel this Summer’s Festivals and Headline Shows.
As many of you know, I underwent surgery on my neck in the year 2000, due to an onstage injury that occurred in 1996. Since that time, I have battled with this problem, and it has begun to accelerate in the past several months, causing additional issues that can no longer be ignored.
In February, while on tour in Europe, I underwent highly specialized treatment in Germany from a doctor who has helped, among many others, Tony Iommi and Eddie Van Halen. This treatment helped sustain my ability to perform so that we could complete our Worldwide Plagues Tour. However, I am now forced to take further, more invasive action sooner than I intended in order to maintain my overall health. Surgery was originally planned to take place in September during our break, but I have now been advised to have the procedure completed sooner rather than later.
As much as it pains me and everyone else in our camp to have to cancel these dates, this is something that cannot be put aside any longer.
Once the surgery and recovery are completed, we will be back to work – healthy, strong, and ready to bring the metal to you, our fans.
Best wishes to you all,
Jon Schaffer
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