Kamelot had bad news for fans over the weekend. Their frontman Roy Khan fell ill with an as yet undiagnosed illness and has been forced to return home to Norway as the band prepare to launch their North American Tour. However, the band won't let this derail their North American Tour. They have recruited Michael Eriksen from Circus Maximus to fill-in. Plus they have announced a surprise special guest as well.
Here is the official statement from Kamelot: The band and crew are all here in Tampa rehearsing for the tour Visas have been cleared and the guys are in good spirits and ready to party with all of you. However, during rehearsals, Roy became severely ill.
"Due to this, as yet undiagnosed, illness, Roy reluctantly has been forced to head back home to Norway. He is currently under his physicians care, but unfortunately these circumstances will prevent him from joining us on the North American concert tour. Of course, we want Roy to take care of his health as priority one for now and for the future.
"After much consideration on how to proceed, all of us in KAMELOT feel strongly about keeping our commitment to our fans, promoters, and support bands on this tour! We are all ready and excited about playing these shows, we have flown in people from around the world to be apart of it and it has been in the works over a year! Therefore, we are working diligently with a fantastic singer willing to step in at the eleventh hour in order to make this tour a reality our good friend Michael from Circus Maximus (Norway) has agreed to fill in for Roy! And we are excited to announce a special guest: Swedish vocalist Elize Ryd from Amaranthe will be joining the band on the North American Tour. She will also be part of the VIP meet and greet! Elize toured with us on our Summer Pandemonium Tour and also the European tour earlier this Spring.
Also as a special thank you to our North American fans, our friends at ESP guitars have donated a beautiful ESP guitar which will be signed by Thomas Youngblood and given away at the end of our North American tour this contest is open only to North American tour concert goers. Fans can enter for a chance to win this exclusive item by signing up in the designated area at each show! More surprises are in store at many shows including special guest appearances and more.
Roy especially would like to add: I am terribly sorry that I cannot do this upcoming tour in North-America this fall. We have our most fantastic album ever coming out in September, and the timing could have been better I guess. The band has my full and unconditional blessing to go out there and kick ass regardless, and I feel we have found a good replacement in Michael. He is a very good singer and long time friend. Be good to him! Hope to see you soon! All the best from Roy Khan.
Michael states: Roy and I go way back, so when he called and asked me to help him and the rest of KAMELOT to do their long planned USA tour, I told him, Sure bro, I am there for you.
It will be big shoes to fill , but in his honor I will do my best to give the KAMELOT fans a show they have long awaited. So grab your earplugs and come join the party!
We cannot thank you enough for your tremendous support over the years, and look forward to being out to meet more of you on the road! Please join us in wishing Roy a speedy recovery, and swift return to us!
KAMELOT will release Poetry For The Poisoned on September 10th in Europe. September 14th, 2010 in North America.
KAMELOT will embark on its first North American tour in two years starting September 8th. Support on the trek will come from Leaves' Eyes and Blackguard.
KAMELOT North American Fall 2010 Tour Dates:
9/08/2010 House Of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
9/10/2010 Progpower USA Festival - Atlanta, GA
9/11/2010 Jaxx Nightclub - Springfield, VA
9/14/2010 The Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
9/15/2010 Nokia Theatre - New York, NY - RECORD RELEASE SHOW
9/17/2010 The Palladium - Worcester, MA
9/18/2010 Club Soda - Montreal, QC
9/19/2010 The Opera House - Toronto, ON
9/21/2010 Peabody's - Cleveland, OH
9/22/2010 The Rave - Milwaukee, WI
9/24/2010 Logan Square Auditorium - Chicago, IL
9/25/2010 First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
9/27/2010 Bluebird Theatre - Denver, CO
9/29/2010 Slim's - San Francisco, CA
10/01/2010 House of Blues - West Hollywood, CA
10/02/2010 House of Blues - San Diego, CA
