Steve Smyth has successful transplant surgery

Following successful kidney transplant surgery in December, guitarist Steve Smyth (Nevermore, Dragonlord, ex-Testament, Vicious Rumors) issues the following statement:

The time has finally come to share a very important piece of news, directly related to my health.

On December 12th, 2006, I had a successful kidney transplant! After 6 straight months on dialysis, changes to my lifestyle and diet, and a very thorough search for a suitable donor, by early August 2006, we had a preliminary match. Several rounds of blood and tissue typing tests had to be subsequently performed to ensure we were a perfect match for transplant; the main reason for my hesitance in saying anything publicly during those months.

The donor shall remain nameless, but my gratitude to him for his selfless act of kindness and friendship will endure forever! Thank you so much, you have no idea how much this means to me!

I am now on the road to recovery, as they say. This is mainly requiring a lot of adjustment to medications I will be on for the rest of my life, a small price to pay to be free from dialysis, and the restrictions it places on a person, both mentally and physically. I had no idea how much freedom I took for granted before all of this hit. 2006 was a big revelation of the frailty of human life for me, something I will not take for granted again.

Where does all this lead to next? I've been advised by my doctors that I will not be able to travel in any capacity for the next 6 months, as I have to adjust to immunosuppressant drugs to fight any possible form of rejection of the kidney, and my body needs time to recover from this operation, as well as dietary and lifestyle changes. All things that only make one stronger!

Obviously, my health must come first, but of huge importance to me is my loyalty to the rest of Nevermore, and as soon as I am deemed fit and ready to hit the road again, I will.

I've already written 4-5 songs in various stages for the next Nevermore record, when the time comes to do one.

My immediate plans are to finish The EssenEss Project, my instrumental debut album collaboration with bass player/composer Steve Hoffman, and special guest drummer, Atma Anur, and find a suitable label to release the album, and get this album heard, finally! It's been a long road, most recently delayed by my health issues. I am glad to finally be getting this on to the mix stage within the next month. For more updates on The EssenEss Project, please check in at www.theessenessproject.com and our related forum.

We have lots of news upcoming, as we confirm the next phases of the record, including mixing duties, mastering duties, and artwork, and finally, what label will release it. Interested parties in this last area, please contact me at: steve@stevesmyth.com

I am also set to launch my internet guitar lesson business within the coming weeks. This will be a “live via webcam” lesson, all things that would happen in a regular live lesson with me will remain intact; written and audio/video examples, and direct focus on your goals as a musician are my aim. If you are interested in pursuing lessons with me, please contact me at: steve@stevesmyth.com with INTERNET GUITAR LESSONS in the title. I will include you on a mailing list due to go out this week, with full details on the lessons, how they will be run, cost, scheduling, etc. I look forward to teaching you!

Please stay tuned to www.stevesmyth.com or www.myspace.com/stevesmyth for further updates, or my forum on Ultimate Metal, as all further updates will come from any of these locations.

I told everyone I would fight this, and be back! Bring on 2007, I'm ready!

~Steve Smyth