King Diamond

King Diamond's manager, Ole Bang, has released the following statement regarding the cancellation of the band's North American tour:

"Most regretfully we have to announce that King will not be able to tour North America as planned.

"King has over the past six months been suffering from a herniated disc in the spine, and has still not recovered to a satisfactory level.

"He was prescribed absolute rest for several months, and this appears to be more than half a year.

"Following several visits to specialists and most recent MRI scan, we have to realize that his condition need far more rest than expected in the first place. At the moment he can neither walk for more than an hour at a time, nor can he sit like you would do in a normal daily life; i.e. there is no chance that he will fully recover in time for the tour start in March.

"We deeply regret the inconvenience caused for everyone involved, for promoters, bands and fans; and most of all we're very very sorry that we can not go out and perform for the fans who have been waiting for the tour to kick off.

"Unfortunately life is unpredictable, and it's completely out of our hands when illness kicks in, and no medicine, how harsh it might have been, can cure the situation. If anything could remedy the situation it would have been done, but for now we simply just have to wait, and let King get the much-needed rest.

"I will post news about any developments as soon as it's available.

"At this time we will also like to say thanks for all the kind words of a speedy recovery we have received."