The Crystal Method Overcome Health Scare for New Album

The Crystal Method’s upcoming, self-titled album was originally intended for June release, but life interfered for the veteran electronic duo. Just months before the release, member Scott Kirkland faced a major health scare: a cyst in his brain that needed immediate removal.

In their first interview since undergoing surgery, Kirkland revealed to Rolling Stone the full details of his scary ordeal.

“It looks like it had been there since I was developing in the womb and it was sort of snugly fit between my brain and my cerebral cortex. It was as big a Twinkie, so they had to shave the bone down and take the cyst out,” said Kirkland. “Then I got an infection after that, which I had a slight bit of meningitis, was in intensive care for a week plus, had to get a spinal tap. The initial surgery was fine, but afterwards I got a little infection.”

Check Out All the Hottest New Rock Photos

Looking back, Kirkland admitted that he felt tremendous stress as he and bandmate Ken Jordan balanced finishing The Crystal Method with this illness. “I care so much about our band and Ken and all the things that we’ve been able to do and the future of the band. So I took a lot of pressure on from the fact that my shit was causing us to delay, push back, cancel shows,” he said, “Everybody around me told me not to worry about it and I truly believe everybody meant that. The support I got from everybody – most importantly from my family, Ken and management – put it all in perspective.”

The record will now come out in January, which is fortuitous timing; 2014 marks 20 years since the first Crystal Method release, the single “Now Is the Time.” The album features a wide range of guests, from LeAnn Rimes to fellow Vegas native Franky Perez (Scars on Broadway), who sings on the song “Difference.” The lead single, “Over It,” features The Voice runner-up Dia Frampton.

While much of the record was done before Kirkland’s surgery, “Difference” is one of the songs that came about post-operation. After Kirkland’s health ordeal had passed, he and Jordan were able to make the album they wanted. “We went in and finished it on our own terms,” Kirkland said. “I couldn’t be happier with the results.”

The Crystal Method is available for pre-order now. Watch the video for “Emulator” below.