Extreme metal legendary drummer Nick Barker, known for his work with Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Lock Up, and Brujeria, has revealed he is battling stage five chronic kidney failure. In a recent appearance on the Pod Scum podcast, Barker shared that he has been on hemodialysis since January 2023, undergoing treatment three times a week for four hours. “It’s consumed my life,” the 52-year-old said, reflecting on his career shift from constant touring to managing his health.
He explained:
“Well, I’m dealing with stage five chronic kidney failure right now, which is full renal failure. I’ve been on dialysis, hemodialysis since January ’23. I’ve been approved by the transplant list here in Vancouver. I did all the pre-assessments, passed all the assessment tests. They said, ‘Yep, you’re totally fine. You’ve just gotta drop some of those lbs. So I’ve got about 20, 30 pounds to lose before they can operate on me.”
Despite his condition, Barker still occasionally plays drums. Barker’s extensive career began in the early 1990s with Cradle of Filth, followed by Dimmu Borgir. He has since recorded or performed with a long list of acts, including Testament, Exodus, Anaal Nathrakh, Old Man’s Child, Gorgoroth, Benediction, and more. The drummer also recalled earlier health scares, including a scare during an ICU stay during a U.S. tour and a panic attack while performing on a cruise. Despite these setbacks, Barker remains resilient, expressing gratitude for his career.
Barker revealed his diagnosis in 2023, and a GoFundMe page was launched to help him afford his treatments, which remains active here.
Check out the full interview below:
