Metal Bulletin Zine: ARTIZAN Singer Tom Braden Recovering from Major Heart Problems

Below you will find a statement on the latest on Artizan singer Tom Braden's recovery after a scary health episode with his heart (the health statement is taken from the Brave Words website). Artizan is a melodic heavy metal band in Jacksonville, Florida, USA. The band, according to the information on Metal Archives, began in 2008. They have released an EP and four albums, and they have their new album close to completion, with all music finished and recorded, and only the vocals need to be recorded.

Speaking for myself, I have a special preference for Tom Braden's singing, as I find it to be pleasing, smooth and very melodic. Before the music of Artizan, I enjoyed his singing on the 1991 debut EP "Leviathan" by the band Leviathan from the state of Colorado, USA.

If you are a fan of melodic heavy metal, I recommend any Artizan album, but I guess bands often like their most recent work best. With that in mind, the 2018 album Demon Rider (five songs in 33 minutes) is as wonderful a place to start as any. I recommend the album to fans of hard rock, classic rock, classic heavy metal, traditional heavy metal, true heavy metal, U.S. metal, power metal, progressive heavy metal, and fans of melodic singing in rock and metal in general.

Here is the statement that explains the latest with Tom Braden health condition and the band's upcoming album.

The eve of Sunday, October 26 started like many others for Tom Braden, vocalist for melodic metal band Artizan, and his wife, Denise. After rehearsing songs for the forthcoming Artizan album, The Furthest Reaches Part 2: The Gaia Effect, Tom and his wife went about their evening without any indication that he was having health issues. Vocal sessions were scheduled just days later and Tom was ready. Just before they went to bed, Tom started experiencing an upset stomach and severe numbness in both arms. He mentioned that he wasn’t feeling well and then passed out. Tom went into cardiac arrest due to sudden arrhythmia causing ventricular fibrillation. Denise, who is a licensed caregiver, immediately administered life-saving CPR. She was able to manually pump Tom’s heart, buying him precious time until the paramedics arrived to continue compressions and insert a breathing tube. Effective CPR requires extremely forceful compressions to the heart to keep the blood circulating. Due to the extent of the compressions, Tom suffered eight broken ribs. Paramedics applied shock paddles three times. Miraculously, on the third attempt, Tom’s heart started to beat on its own.

After being rushed to ICU, he was unconscious for two days. His doctors were amazed to find that his arteries are nearly perfect without any indication of blockage; there is no sign that his heart was damaged from the arrest. The arrhythmia was caused by disrupted electrical signals to his heart. Tom’s cardiac surgeon implanted a Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) which is designed to literally kick-start his heart if the anomaly happens again.

After ten days in the hospital, Tom is now resting back at home. While he will require extensive rest and rehibiltation, he is expected to make a full recovery. Upon asking him about his experience, Braden said, “I am so grateful that my wife was with me. She saved my life. She’s my guardian angel!”

Artizan founder/drummer Ty Tammeus stated, “I am so thankful that Tom is alive and recovering. I have known him for over thirty-five years. His voice is the trademark sound of Artizan. Tom will need the necessary time to heal, and we will set back the release of the album by several months in order for him to come back stronger than ever. The demos thus far are incredible. On the day of his cardiac aresst Tom was singing higher and stronger than ever and we all look forward to when his voice soars once again.”

All music has been recorded for the upcoming album as well as all individual vocal tracks for guest singers Matt Barlow (Iced Earth, Ashes Of Ares), Ray Alder (Fates Warning), Stu Block (Iced Earth) and Sabrina Cruz (Seven Kingdoms).

“All of us wish Tom a speedy recovery and look forward to tracking his vocals as soon as he is ready.”