STRYPER's Oz Fox Sits Out 'Throne Of Thorns' Due to Health Scare

In a candid interview with George Dionne from KNAC.COM, STRYPER's frontman Michael Sweet peeled back the layers on the absence of guitarist Oz Fox from their much-anticipated eighteenth studio album, 'Throne Of Thorns', set to drop on September 25 via Frontiers Music Srl. Contrary to assumptions, Sweet clarified that Oz's absence isn’t a consequence of his ongoing health battles related to brain surgery, but rather a sudden spike in his blood pressure that caught everyone off guard.

Sweet recounted the harrowing moment during rehearsals when drummer Robert Sweet realized something was amiss with Oz. It wasn’t just the usual rigors of touring that affected him; it was a dangerous level of hypertension that rendered him unable to play, leaving the band scrambling. “We had no idea he had stopped taking his blood pressure medication,” Michael explained, somberly reflecting on the whirlwind that ensued when Oz arrived at the studio. With blood pressure readings soaring dangerously high, it became clear that he was not in any shape to unleash his signature riffs.

Faced with an urgent need, Sweet took the reins, stepping into the role of multi-instrumentalist once again. “I wasn’t prepared for it, to be honest,” he admitted, as he shifted gears from vocal duties to tackle the guitar parts. “Thinking like two guitar players is a whole other beast.” Despite the pressure, Sweet delivered what he could in the limited time, hoping to do justice to the legacy of STRYPER's dual-guitar attack.

When asked about the live performance potential for the new tracks, Michael remained optimistic yet realistic. “We’ll only do a few songs live, maybe the first two singles,” he noted, reassuring fans that Oz would still play a crucial role in the rhythm parts. It’s clear that while the band is adapting to these challenges, the essence of STRYPER remains unyielded.

Oz Fox's journey has been nothing short of a saga, with his health scares dating back to 2018 when he collapsed on stage due to a seizure, leading to the discovery of two tumors in his brain. Since then, he's faced numerous hurdles, including a recent surgery that has sidelined him from the band's spring 2024 acoustic tour. Yet, the strength of STRYPER, forged over 43 years and countless trials, continues to shine through. As they prepare to unveil 'Throne Of Thorns', the band stands united, ready to overcome whatever obstacles may come their way.