Bad news from the !T.O.O.H.! camp. The band's vocalist and guitarist, Josef "Humanoid" Vesely, has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. The band informed us via their Facebook page. Despite that, the band has completed the writing process for their forthcoming album, which they expect to start recording around September/October.

The full statement reads as follows: "Greetings to all fans !T.O.O.H.! - We have a lot of news! Let's start with the most serious: brother fell ill in late March paranoid schizophrenia. Yes, it's not exactly the type of information for immediately spreading... However, we decided for to publication. Humanoid is the main brain of band and his illness has a huge impact on our musical plans. Antipsychotic drugs help him, but have many side effects. Practicing songs, programming, it's all for him extremely difficult. Since we do not know how the disease develops, we can not guarantee any live performances and our other musical activities... I personally believe that it will be OK."

"The good news is that the forthcoming album we want completed. Album will be contain only seven songs that we have prepared before the outbreak of the disease and maybe some old songs with new face... All new songs are now ready with supporting tools for recording! We start around September, October... Keep up!"

Here's hoping he pulls through.

What? He doesn't have cancer or anything of the sort.

I'm just waiting for a "that explains his crazy vocal performance"-post for total facepalming.

I wouldn't say that his vocal style is a direct result of having any risk factors for schizophrenia, but really - when you think of people who might be susceptible to a mental disorder like that, does it seem to ring closer for the members of Bolt Thrower or !T.O.O.H.!? It's most likely a coincidence, of course, but it's one worth noting. I'm sure there'd be similar responses of "Well, that's fitting" if Malefic from Xasthur committed suicide.

This is hardly the end of his career.....people with mental illnesses often have a rare exotic genius that allows them to create great art. Look no further than Peter Green, Syd Barrett (his retirement was actually a conscious and voluntary decision on his part), Roky Erickson, Daniel Johnston, etc. And above posters are correct, paranoid schizophrenics (I've known two in my personal life) are rather normal and functional in social situations, and their problem, though a struggle, is controllable with medication and therapy. Right now we should just focus on well wishes and fan support.

It could get in the way of his work in the band, yeah. Can't really perform when your mind is going wacko. The Wikipedia article on schizophrenia is pretty well done, might be worth reading if you're interested in what may be going on with Vesely:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia#Symptoms

As a schizophrenic this thread is hilarious.

FIRST AND LAST
Hi, yesterday's show in Ostrava ended disastrously.
It was a kind of test, in which we failed. We found out that his brother's illness is incompatible with live performance.
Humanoid was after the performance hugely frustrated. He can't give his usual performance -it's for him too stressful.
Exist as studio project it is for him pointless. Democratic Solution will be our farewell.
Awaits us now still some work / vocals, mixing, the overall sound...

Unfortunately, !T.O.O.H.! will not be making it to the states to play MDF. The band had a return show in the Czech Republic over the weekend, but they found that one of the brothers' mental illness is too severe for them to be able to perform any live shows at all from this point forward.

With a Czech band dropping off the bill, we are filling the vacant space with another Czech band. CONTRASTIC will now be playing on Sunday at MDF XI.

Visit the link below for an updated list of bands for each day of the fest:

http://www.marylanddeathfest.com/runningorder.html