KAMELOT Frontman Forced To Sit Out North American Tour; Temporary Replacement Announced

American/Norwegian melodic metallers KAMELOT have released the following statement:

"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 [Khan; full name: Roy Sætre Khantatat] 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 physician's 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 [Eriksen; pictured below] 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 [KAMELOT guitarist] 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."

Commented Roy: "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 longtime friend. Be good to him! Hope to see you soon!"

Michael stated: "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!"

KAMELOT's first North American tour in two years will kick off on September 8 at the House Of Blues in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Support on the trek will come from LEAVES' EYES and BLACKGUARD.

"Poetry For The Poisoned", the highly anticipated ninth studio album from KAMELOT, will be released in North America on September 14 via the group's own label, Kamelot Media Group (KMG Recordings),and in Europe on September 10 through earMUSIC/Edel. Marquee/Avalon Records will make the CD available in Japan.

Recordings took place in the familiar Gate Studios in Wolfsburg, Germany with producers Sascha Paeth and Miro. Additional tracking also took place in Tampa, Florida as well as various studios in Sweden, Greece and the U.S.

"Poetry for the Poisoned" features guest appearances by Simone Simons (EPICA),Gus G. (OZZY OSBOURNE, FIREWIND),Björn "Speed" Strid (SOILWORK) and Jon Oliva (SAVATAGE, JON OLIVA'S PAIN). The artwork was created by many great artists, including Seth Siro Anton, Natalie Shau and Michal Loranc.

"Poetry For The Poisoned" will be available in three versions:

* Regular CD edition
* Digipak CD with bonus DVD
* Two-LP gatefold vinyl edition

DVD bonus material:

* "The Great Pandemonium" video
* Exclusive and in-depth interviews with each KAMELOT member
* "Pick and Play" for the song "The Great Pandemonium"
* "Poetry For The Poisoned" background images
* Exclusive video footage from Norway Rock festival 2010
* Bonus song "House On A Hill" (uncut version)

KAMELOT recently tapped Swedish director Owe Lingvall of Village Road Films for the video shoot and production of the song "The Great Pandemonium".