Blind Guardian Drummer Sidelined

Thomen Stauch, drummer for Blind Guardian has had to pull out of the band's upcoming Brazilian tour. Excessive playing strain has caused swelling and an infection in the tendons of one of his hands. It all started soon after Wacken and he now has his whole arm in a cast in order to prevent him from moving his fingers. He will not be able to play drums for a minimum of a few weeks and may be as long as a few months. Rhapsody drummer, Alex Holzwarth has stepped in and is quickly learning the band's set in order to fulfill the band's obligations to their Brazilian fans. Let's hope he is O.K. and that his hand heals up properly.