As we all know, David Randall Blythe from LAMB OF GOD is fighting the fight of his life. Blythe was imprisoned for five weeks in the Czech Republic after being detained on June 27, 2012 when the Grammy-nominated, Richmond, Virginia-based band arrived there for a show. The singer was freed without charge in August but had to post $400,000 bail, then left the country.
According to the prosecution, Blythe shoved Daniel Nosek, a 19 years old fan, off stage, thus inflicting fatal wounds on him. After being released on bail, which was contended by the State Attorney, Blythe refused responsibility for Nosek's death and pledged to return to attend the trial.
While the trial began on Monday, February 4, the trial had to be postponed until March 4, due to the fact that one witness fell ill and two criminal psychologists who were expected to testify were unable to attend during that week.
Prior to the trial, Randy was able to tour the Unites States with his band LAMB OF GOD. On December 8, 2013, it was "Dimebag" Darrell Abbot's eight death anniversary. That night, LAMB OF GOD's tour with IN FLAMES, HELLYEAH and SYLOSIS, arrived in Kansas City, Missouri. The very next day, Randy reflected on his friend Darrell and how his tragic passing made musicians like Randy to always be in the lookout whenever someone they don't know joins them on stage.
"Tonight's
show in Kansas City was an emotional one for us on this tour,
especially the Hellyeah guys. Eight years ago (December 8th 2004) a
crazy man jumped onstage and killed Darrell "Dimebag" Abbot in front of
two members of Hellyeah, one of which, of course, is his brother Vinnie
Paul. This night changed EVERYTHING for those of us in Metal bands-
something had been taken away from us, & it wasn't just Dime. It was
our care free sorta attitude- this sort of thing just didn't happen in
OUR SCENE. But it did, & we are all the worse for it. Things have
changed, but we still are out here. Vinnie & Bobzilla are still out
here rocking their balls off- they have my utmost respect for that. I
don't know if I would step foot on a stage again after witnessing &
going through what they did. But they are musicians- plus Dime woulda
wanted it that way- you can bet your ass on that. The other day Vinnie
came to me & said "Hey man, can we have a few extra moments in
Kansas City to have a drink in memory of Dime?" Are you kidding me? OF
COURSE. So tonight, the whole damn tour, every member of every band, got
up on that stage & had a drink in his honor. It felt like family to
me, in those best moments of tour when you all are there together,
doing this incredible thing, as a FAMILY. I wish Dime coulda been there
in person with us. But it's like I said tonight onstage- a mad man's
bullet can take this mortal shell, but TRUE LEGENDS NEVER DIE. We keep
them alive, all of us, when we come together band & audience, &
do this thing we all love so much. RIP Dime- see ya on the other side
bro!"
Call it paranoia, but as Randy mentioned above we headbangers of the world are living in a very different world after the tragic passing of "Dimebag". We hope justice prevails and that the jury behind Randy's legal case understands the risk all artists face when someone they don't know jumps on stage unexpectedly, and that if an artist reacts it is because you never know when a lunatic may strike next.
Related links:
Lamb Of God's Official Site
Lamb Of God's Official Site
