Eric Forrest, the bassist for cyber-thrash cult band Voivod, was seriously injured late last week when the band's tour van was involved in a one-vehicle accident outside Mannheim, Germany. |

In a scene eerily reminiscent of the wreck that claimed the life of Metallica bassist Cliff Burton some years back, Forrest was thrown from the van and suffered multiple fractures, including several to his lower vertebrae.

While none of the other band members sustained anything more than minor injuries, Forrest (a recent addition to the veteran Montreal metallurgists) is currently what manager James MacLean says is in "an induced coma ... until his internal injuries can be fully assessed." He is expected to make a full recovery, although MacLean says his walking ability may be impaired.

Voivod are no strangers to such difficulty. At the turn of the decade, the band was nearly torn asunder after it was discovered that guitarist Denis D'Amour had a brain tumor. But after surgery and chemotherapy, D'Amour was given a clean bill of health. (David Sprague)