THERION: Remaning North American Tour Dates In Jeopardy

THERION singer Snowy Shaw — who shares the vocal duties with Thomas Vikström (CANDLEMASS) and two female singers — has sent the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"As soon as THERION left the South American leg of the world tour and arrived at the hotel in the ghetto-like area Tenderloin, San Francisco, we all went to Taco Bell at the corner of the block where, after a big fat meal, I was stupid enough to forget my shoulder bag. In my bag was my passport including Japan visa, U.S. visa etc., 800 euros, Mac laptop, cell phone, iPod and in-ear monitor system besides all other stuff. I returned to the resturant 10-15 minutes later, but the staff hadn't seen anything. I talked to the big black security guy by the door who told me he saw two ugly mutherfuckers take off on a bicycle right after our posse left, and suggested I go down the street looking for them. which I did and discovered two guys in the dark by a garbage bin going over my bag… Seconds later, I ended up fighting the guys and while I wrestled one of them the other took off with my stuff. I then made a police report with minimal chances of recovering my belongings, and this of course caused a fucking disaster since I had my Japanese visa and U.S. visa in my passport. Now the whole remaining part of the tour is in jeopardy.

"The Swedish embassy/consulate in San Francisco has been more than helpful and got me a new temporary passport and hours before we left I managed to get a working visa for Japan.

"Last night we arrived in Tokyo to do Loudpark festival together with MARILYN MANSON, HEAVEN AND HELL, ARCH ENEMY, MACHINE HEAD among many others. While the rest of THERION return to USA on Sunday, I have to remain in Tokyo and try to get a new U.S. working visa in order to continue the rest of the tour. If not, I have to buy a one-way ticket home to Sweden and THERION will probably have to cancel the remaining shows."

For a list of upcoming THERION tour dates, click here.

THERION's video for the song "Son of the Staves of Time" has been released and can be viewed below. The track comes off the Swedish band's latest studio album, the dual-disc "Gothic Kaballah", which was released in North America on February 6 via Nuclear Blast Records.

THERION and THE VISION BLEAK will team up for a European tour in December.

THERION earlier in the year announced the departure of vocalist Mats Levén (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, KRUX, TREAT, AT VANCE),which took effect prior to the band's appearance at this year's Wacken Open Air festival in early August. His replacement in the group is Thomas Vikström, who is best known to metal fans as the voice behind CANDLEMASS' "Chapter VI" album (1992).