Ok. This one is hitting close to home, for me.<\/p>\n
For those who haven\u2019t seen me discuss this at any other point along the way, it always seem to leave a few shocked to learn that I am a devoted \u201cheadbanger.\u201d<\/p>\n
Back in the day, I was the front-of-the-stage, security barrier leaner, or the backstage dweller for bands like Metallica, Anthrax, Corrosion of Conformity, and a lot of others you may not have heard of.<\/p>\n
I wrote for various heavy metal publications and kept the roads hot, traveling from one show to another, whether at arenas or those dark and smoky, hole-in-the-wall rock clubs (my favorites).<\/p>\n
These days, I still love metal, but my listening habits are more focused on Christian metal.<\/p>\n
*record scratch*<\/em><\/p>\n When I use that term, \u201cChristian metal\u201d it always gets a reaction.<\/p>\n The facts are, Christian metal is a thing, and has been for years. It\u2019s the same as the traditional metal that most music aficionados are used to, except it is played by Christians, and quite often, the theme of the lyrics is Christian-focused.<\/p>\n Possibly the best known Christian metal band is Stryper.<\/p>\n They\u2019ve been around since the 80s and are one of a few Christian bands to successfully crossover to the secular music market.<\/p>\n Tunes like \u201cTo Hell With the Devil,\u201d \u201cHonestly,\u201d and \u201cSoldiers Under Command\u201d were in regular rotation on MTV, back when the \u201cM\u201d stood for \u201cMusic.\u201d<\/p>\n I am a Stryper fan. I\u2019m thrilled that Michael Sweet (lead vocals, guitar), Perry Richardson (bass), Oz Fox (guitar), and Robert Sweet (drums) are still out there, making music, and sounding as strong as ever.<\/p>\n The band took a 15 year break, from 1990, when they released the album, \u201cAgainst the Law,\u201d and reemerged in 2005, with the album, \u201cReborn.\u201d<\/p>\n They\u2019ve remained active since that time, releasing alums in 2009, 2011, two albums in 2013 (one of the alums, \u201cSecond Coming\u201d was re-recordings of classic songs), 2015, and the latest album, \u201cGod Da*n Evil\u201d (Don\u2019t freak. It\u2019s a play on words<\/em>) was released this year.<\/p>\n They\u2019ve also kept an active touring schedule, much to the delight of fans.<\/p>\n It was during a recent live show that tragedy struck the band.<\/p>\n While performing in Las Vegas, Nevada<\/a> last Sunday, guitarist Oz Fox collapsed on stage and suffered a seizure. A CAT scan and MRI revealed two masses near his brain. One by his ear, and the other at the back of the head.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter performing an MRI, doctors discovered an area of concern near his brain on which they will perform a biopsy. The doctors have instructed him not to drive or fly for 90 days,\u201d the band said of the guitarist in an\u00a0official statement<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n As a result of the tumors and fears for his health, Fox will not be able to drive, fly, or perform for three months, as they determine the next steps.<\/p>\n Fox is married to Annie Lobert, the author and former sex worker who turned her life around and later formed the nonprofit group, Hookers for Jesus, aimed at rescuing women from the sex trade and bringing them Christ.<\/p>\n Giving an update on his GoFundMe page on Wednesday, Lobert wrote:<\/p>\n \u201cThe tumor by the ear is not as much concern as the one by the back of the right [side of the] brain. They are both inoperable,\u201d she said, adding that the doctor recommended not removing them.<\/p>\n Fox was given two options: have a biopsy performed on the tumor located in the back of his head or wait it out.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease pray for this mass to NOT be cancerous, and that he will recover quickly!\u201d Lobert wrote in the GoFundMe update. \u201cPray for the doctors\u2019 hands to be steady and her mind to be sharp with wisdom and precision skill.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t want to be in fear \u2026 we believe that God has a plan for this even though this is a serious and life altering trial!\u201d the post continued.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n I can\u2019t think of a more positive way to approach what is surely a punch in the gut.<\/p>\n \u201cThe important thing right now is Oz\u2019s health and well-being. Please continue to pray for him at this time. Pray for Annie and his family as well,\u201d bandmate Michael Sweet wrote on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0Tuesday.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n I agree. Pray for Oz Fox, his family, and his friends and bandmates, as well.<\/p>\n And if you feel so inclined, visit his GoFundMe page to help with the mounting medical bills, as it appears some of the care he needs is not covered by the insurance he has.<\/p>\n (No, I don\u2019t know if he\u2019s on Obamacare<\/em>.)<\/p>\n You can find the link to his GoFundMe page here.<\/a><\/p>\n Prayers for health, strength, and peace are going up.<\/p>\n Hang in there, Oz.<\/p>\n