Amen (file)
Photo: Columbia

Casey Chaos, frontman for Los Angeles neo-metal act Amen, was hospitalized this week and underwent emergency surgery to stop internal bleeding that was caused by multiple ruptured hernias, according to a posting on the band's Web site.

Chaos, who is recovering from the procedure and is expected to be released from a Los Angeles hospital sometime Friday (April 29), has been ordered by physicians "not to move a muscle for at least eight weeks," leaving the group no choice but to postpone a 26-date United Kingdom tour, which was set to kick off May 7.

"Casey was never one to take precaution while performing, and an old stage injury that has gone untreated for some time has ruptured and caused Casey to almost lose his life," the statement reads. "We are all very shaken up right now. We are grateful that it happened at a time when we could address the matter immediately and feel good to know that Casey is on the road to a quick recovery. This happened as a result of our rigorous rehearsal schedule and, in a strange way, is our wake-up call of how hard we have been working to really resurrect and represent what Amen is about to each one of us."

The statement adds that Chaos had wanted to go ahead with the tour, despite his doctor's advice, "but the rest of the band decided that we would not let him go on without a full recovery under his belt."

Chaos' recovery is expected to take eight weeks. The band will commence touring soon after. Amen's statement promises to make good on all of those previously scheduled U.K. dates they'll miss. An announcement on the make-up shows is expected in mid-May.

• Amen (hardcore)

Fans of fake blood and latex phalli rejoice... Gwar has lined up another round of touring.

The cartoonish metal creations have tapped Amen and Lamb Of God for a tour that kicks off on October 20 in Old Bridge, New Jersey. So far, the bands have lined up shows through early November.

"We fart loudly at the approach of our warty comrades and can't wait to get out there and kill you," Gwar leader Oderus Urungus said in statement announcing the tour. "I have no idea where we are going, but I'm sure it will be smelly."

The tour gives Amen the chance to roll out new material from its upcoming album, the first release from producer Ross Robinson's I AM record label since its move under the Virgin Records umbrella (see "Korn Studio Whiz Lands Label Deal").

The trek will also give many metalheads their first taste of Lamb Of God, a group that earned the honor of most downloaded metal band on MP3.com while toiling under the name Burn The Priest. The freshly renamed outfit recently released its debut album, "New American Gospel," on Metal Blade Records.

Here's how the Gwar/Amen/Lamb Of God triple bill shapes up:

• 10/20 - Old Bridge, NJ @ Birch Hill
• 10/21 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium (w/The Misfits)
• 10/22 - New Haven, CT @ Toad's Place
• 10/24 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
• 10/25 - Huntington, WV @ Empire Club
• 10/26 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogarts
• 10/27 - Cleveland, OH @ Agora Ballroom
• 10/28 - Detroit, MI @ Harpo's
• 10/29 - Chicago, IL @ Vic Theater
• 10/31 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
• 11/2 - Towson, MD @ Recher Theater
• 11/3 - Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
• 11/4 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance

• Amen (hardcore)
• GWAR