Swedish visionary metallers SOILWORK are forced to cancel their gig at this year's Rock Harz Festival (July 10 - 12 in Ballenstedt, Germany) due to a serious back injury of their singer, Björn "Speed" Strid. This decision was a hard one to make, especially since it is the second time in a row after last year's forced cancellation.
Commented Strid: "It is with great regret that I have to inform you that I'm not gonna be able to perform at the Rock Harz festival on Friday. It almost feels like a curse, I'm sure most of you know that we had to cancel last years Rock Harz festival as well. We were so excited to make it up to you this year but I guess we have to wait yet another year. I basically screwed up my back 10 days ago, while working out. I felt a shooting pain and stopped immediately. That same night my back started swelling. Next day, I felt better and in the coming days it healed up pretty fast. Then last Friday, I made a small movement to reach for the remote, while watching World Cup Football and I felt an intense shooting pain once again. I thought to myself: "This is gonna be bad". I was right. I'm currently not able to sit and can barely walk. I went to a chiropractor two days ago and he was unable to do anything since my back was too swollen and my torso was too twisted. He sent me home with anti-inflammatory pills and painkillers and told me to take those 3 times a day for 3 days and come back on Thursday, which is tomorrow. I also asked him if there was any chance for me to perform on Friday and he said: "It's gonna take a miracle and I definitely don't recommend it. I also informed him that we were gonna drive down in a van to Germany and then his reaction was: "Don't do it". So here I am, strapped to a couch feeling sorry for all the fans who had plans to finally see us at Rock Harz. I'm so sorry, I wish there was a way.. hope you understand. Make sure you enjoy the rest of the awesome bands that are playing the festival, it looks like a real good line up! Our guitarist Sylvain will be there regardless so hopefully you'll run into him and he'll buy you a bunch of drinks 😉 Cheers, we'll see you soon! - Björn Speed Strid"
SOILWORK have been heavily touring all throughout 2013 in support of their current output, "The Living Infinite", the first double album in the history of melodic death metal. When released in March of last year, the album received raving reviews from all over the world and hit the charts in several countries:
#02 Sweden Rock/Metal Charts
#02 Bildboard Hard Music (USA)
#09 UK Rock
#10 Finland
#17 Germany
#19 Sweden
#19 Switzerland
#22 Austria
#60 USA
#60 Billboard Top 200 (USA)
#90 Australia
#116 Belgium
#174 France
#188 UK
