Randy Blythe FREED from Czech Prison

Thursday, August 2nd, Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe was finally released on bail from a prison in Prague, Czech Republic. He was held there for five weeks after being arrested on charges of manslaughter stemming from a 2010 concert. Police accused Blythe of causing physical harm to a fan who later suffered brain trauma, slipped into a coma and died.

In the 2 years that led up to Blythe’s arrest, the band and their management have maintained that they knew nothing of the incident and were never notified about the fan’s death or an ongoing investigation. After a court hearing, bail was set at $200,000, which was paid. Blythe remained in jail, prosecutors filed formal complaints, claiming he was a flight risk. A second bail hearing was set, with bail doubled to $400,000. Again, paid, however, Blythe remained imprisoned until August 2nd.

“It is very tragic that a young man died, I feel very bad that a fan of my band is dead, that his family has to go through it, it’s terrible,” Blythe said. As to his experience in prison he remarked, “Prison is not exactly a fun place to be,” Blythe said. “I had three meals a day, a roof over my head and clothes on my back. I try to be grateful for what I have instead of what I don’t have. I read a lot, I wrote a lot, wrote some new songs and exercised in my cell.”

His band, Lamb of God was forced to call off their highly anticipated tour with Dethklok and French Metal band Gojira. However, they have been confirmed to play “Knotfest” (Slipknot’s very own 2 day festival), the Mayhem cruise in December and are working out dates for a new tour to begin this fall.

Blythe maintains his innocence and when questioned about returning to the Czech Republic for a future court date he responded with, “I’m an international touring artist. I have to clear my name. So yes, I will come back here if I’m called to court,” Blythe said.