OPETH mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt has issued the following update:

"Inborn need to dominate, possess!

Well, first up, thanks to everyone who's been writing me and wishing me a swift recovery from the chicken pox. I'm feeling better today, but still will have to take some pills for another few days. It's been horrible to say the least! Fucking horrible!

I took some pictures of myself when I was feeling the worst, and it's not a pretty sight! I could qualify for any zombie movie, and I wouldn't even need any make up.

Either way, feeling better today and I'm hoping I can play the next show as scheduled. It's a highly contagious disease so I'm hoping I haven't contaminated anyone else during the last few trips. Speaking of which, we've had a blast playing Turkey and France (Hellfest)! Both were awesome shows and had a lot of people checking us out! Amazing!

So sorry for the cancelled gigs, especially the ones in my home country since we rarely play here! Hörrni! Jag är ledsen, men det ordnar sig. Snart ska vi rocka tillsammans som Jerry Williams 1964!

Family is doing well, I feel sorry for my wife who now has 3 kids to take care of, and I'm like the worst kid from hell when I'm sick. She's been a trooper and I am so fucking lucky to have her! Melinda and Mirjam have recovered totally from the pox and are doing just fine.

I emailed a list of songs that I want us to go through for the upcoming headlining tours to the other guys. Let me say it's a pretty massive list, maybe 30-40 songs, and very exciting ones too! We'll see which ones sound the best at rehearsals. Can't wait!

OK, let me leave you all with another thank you and hope to see ya soon!"

Due to Åkerfeldt's illness, Opeth's tour schedule has been "tweaked" - it is now as follows:

Opeth's tour schedule is now as follows:

July

5 - Ruis Rock, Turku - Finland
6 - Metalcamp, Julisch Alps - Slovenia
9 - Rock Wave, Athens - Greece
12 - Evolution festival, Milano- Italy
13 - Bospop, Weert - The Netherlands

August

1 - Wacken Open Air - Germany
3 - Ankkarock, Helsinki - Finland
14 - Anthem Metal Festival, Tel Aviv - ISR
15 - Bloodstock Open Air, Catton Hall Derby - UK
16 - Metal Rock Fest, Lillehammer - NO
23 - 013/Symforce Fest, Tilburg - NL
27 - Tokyo, Japan - Blitz
28 - Nagoya, Japan - Club Quattro
30 - Osaka, Japan - Club Quattro

September

2 - Perth, Australia - Metro City
4 - Adelaide, Australia - The Barton Theatre
5 - Melbourne, Australia - Palace Theatre (sold out)
6 - Sydney, Australia - The Big Top
7 - Brisbane, Australia - The Arena

November

17 - Glasgow, Scotland at ABC
18 - Dublin, Ireland at St. Vicars
19 - Birmingham, England at Academy
20 - London, England at Shepards Bush Empire
21 - Bristol, England at Academy
22 - Nottigham, England at Rock City
23 - Manchester, England at Academy
25 - Amsterdam, Holland - Melkweg
26 - Brussels, Belgium - AB
27 - Paris, France - Elysee Montmartre
28 - Toulouse, France - Havana Cafe

December

3 - Lyon, France - Transbourder
4 - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
5 - Winterthur, Switzerland - Salzhaus
6 - Munich, Germany - Backstage Werk
7 - Wien, Austria - Arena
9 - Stuttgart, Germany - Longhorn
10 - Colonge, Germany - Live Music Hall
11 - Berlin, Germany - Postbahnhof
12 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
13 - Göteborg, Sweden Germany - Brew House
15 - Helsinki, Finland - Cable Factory
17 - Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser Medis