The bad news here is that legendary extreme metal drummer Nick Barker (Dimmu Borgir, Lock Up, Cradle Of Filth, etc.) is still dealing with some dire health issues. The good news is that he's at least on the radar of some medical professionals that can help!
In an interview with Pod Scum podcast, Barker revealed most of his life is currently spent on dialysis as he deals with reneal failure: "Well, at this point in my career, as you probably know, I'm experiencing renal failure right now. So I'm on dialysis three times a week for four hours at a time. And that's pretty much consumed my life.
"I've gone from one extreme to the other, whereas before the renal failure, I was [on tour] in a different place every week. Today I could be in New York; next week I could be in Sydney, and then the week after that, I'm in Amsterdam, I'm in London. Because of what I'm going through personally, it's made me appreciate it more now it's gone. Now I don't have it, I really do appreciate it. And I realize how much I took it for granted."
Barker then noted he's at least been approved for a kidney transplant as long as he loses weight: "Well, I'm dealing with stage five chronic kidney failure right now, which is full renal failure. I've been on dialysis, hemodialysis since January '23. I've been approved by the transplant list here in Vancouver. I did all the pre-assessments, passed all the assessment tests. They said, 'Yep, you're totally fine. You've just gotta drop some of those lbs. So I've got about 20, 30 pounds to lose before they can operate on me."
On when he might get surgery, Barker said: "I'm on a waiting list. I could get a phone call after I speak to you, or it could be next year. It's really just a waiting game. To not sound so crass, I've just gotta wait for somebody to die."
So here's hoping Barker gets a call soon and everything works out. Dude is incredibly talented and this all sounds like a separate level of hell.
