
A sad news hit the Swedish heavy power metal band BROTHERS OF METAL, in which guitarist Mikael Fehrm decided to leave the band permanently. The following is an explanation and statement from Mikael Fehrm.
“Fellow pagans, brothers, and sisters of metal, hear ye, hear ye!
I have both sad news and good news to share.
Sad news first:
Since 2021, I have been battling permanent tinnitus. Just days after my first ear trauma that year, another incident made it much worse than I could have imagined. It transformed the annoyance into a symphony of 9-10 different ever-present pitches—sizzling, static sinus tones, white noise, rumbling, and more. This threw me into a dark place of overwhelming anxiety and hopelessness. For over a year, I struggled to sleep, function, and find solace. The subsequent hyperacusis added to my challenges, hindering my ability to fulfill my roles as a father, musician, colleague, and friend. However, over time, I found inner peace, learned to ignore the condition more and more, and began reflecting on my future as both a musician and a family man.
As some of you may have noticed, I haven’t been participating in live gigs for some time now. It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to no longer play live and that I WILL step down as an official member of BROTHERS OF METAL. The toll that my tinnitus and related conditions have taken on me has led me to this difficult choice, which is necessary for the well-being of myself and my family.
Now, on to the good news (please keep reading):
Today, the sounds of tinnitus have become more of a nuisance than a torment, causing mild bother when they remain consistent (as it comforts me to know I have not disturbed this demon again). Consequently, not being able to tour enables me to focus more on my family and cherish precious moments with them. My boys are growing up quickly, and I don’t want to miss a single one.
Music has played an immense role in my life for many years, and I have no intention of letting it go. Although I won’t be participating in live gigs, I will continue to write and record music for Brothers of Metal, in addition to exploring solo endeavors, in my home studio. Here, I have complete control over the sound volume and no fear of further damaging my ears. There is a plethora of unfinished and unreleased music I am eager to share with you all, both for the band and in other genres beyond the confines of “BOM metal.” While it may not match or surpass the quality of BROTHERS OF METAL, it will undoubtedly offer a one-of-a-kind experience.
I invite you to stay tuned for updates on my various channels, as I hope to release new music, including contributions to BROTHERS OF METAL, before the end of this year.
You can find me at https://linktr.ee/mikeofmetal
This fresh start will provide me with a new focus that goes beyond BROTHERS OF METAL, although I will always cherish the memories of what I must now let go. It has been a long and fulfilling journey, and I am honored and grateful for the people I have met and the experiences I have gained while pursuing my childhood dream.
Regrettably, I won’t have the opportunity to see many of you in person anymore. However, fear not! Perhaps in the future, you’ll spot me in the distant reaches of the audience at a BROTHERS OF METAL gig somewhere, donned in earplugs & earmuffs far back as a nervous observer.
To my siblings in BROTHERS OF METAL, I extend my best wishes. May your journey be far and wide across Midgard, raiding and battling with great fortune in this realm. May the gods favor your endeavors, and may your songs echo through the halls of Valhalla!
I bid you farewell, mighty festivalfaring Vikings!
And please, take care of your ears—for f**k’s sake.”
// Mikaels
Homepage: https://www.brothersofmetal.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brothersofmetalofficial/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0WPCPYm5IDNtQjuJOGNPcy