Feb 2

Hellfest Camp Defend Decision To Drop Satanic Warmaster

Posted by Chris Harris on February 2, 2011 in News

Satanic Warmaster

We recently reported that Satanic Warmaster were pulled from the bill for the upcoming Hellfest festival in Clisson, France. Now, Ben Barbaud, the organizer of the fest, is defending the decision, which he contends was not the result of pressure from other artists performing at the festival.

“The Hellfest has decided independently and in all conscience to cancel Satanic Warmaster’s performance,” Barbaud says in a statement. “This decision was in no way caused by the pressure received by various small groups against the event. We had decided to confirm this artist when we noticed a strong demand. The ideology and political values adopted by some artists have never been selection criteria for the festival; we leave the right to each and everyone to forge their own opinions about the artists performing at the festival, and we are not bringing our event on political grounds which have nothing to do with the music. However, we have received a large number of complaints partly from festival-goers but also from artists, considering this artist to be conflicting with the festival’s state of mind, and ready to settle things with a fight.”

So basically, Satanic Warmaster were dropped from the bill to avoid violence on the part of other bands and the audience. That’s fucked up.

“We are not here to take position in this debate. The Hellfest is a celebration above all else, its purpose is not to divide, but to unite an audience under a single banner: passion for heavy music. It appears to be impossible to find an adequate solution without risking irreversible damage or violent comportments during the festival which is to take place next June.

“The Hellfest’s purpose isn’t to judge one’s opinions, but to insure a peaceful and friendly gathering. Consequently, we have decided to cancel Satanic Warmaster’s performance in order to insure order and safety during the festival. Clan wars related to difference of opinion do not have their place at the Hellfest.”

Barbaud apologized to the fans of “this artist,” and reaffirmed his position that the decision had nothing to do with beliefs, and everything to do with not jeopardizing the fest.

Lame.

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

About

Chris Harris is an internationally-published music journalist and writer whose work has appeared on the pages of Rolling Stone, IFC.com, Revolver, Alternative Press, and Radar. The former news editor for Noisecreep.com, AOL’s heavy metal blog, Harris also served as co-host for the site’s weekly podcast, “Creep Show." Harris spent four years as a reporter and on-air talent for MTV News.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=721000412 Gezrick Newall

    Everyone has a right to their own opinion but this MUST be reciprocal. Basically if you give someone the right to think what they want with no trouble then they have to give you the same. The Nazi ideal is to inflict their beliefs onto the rest of society through psychological manipulation, and physical and mental torment and thus is not acceptable at a multi-cultural event. If the event was specifically black metal then bring on the Warmaster but it isn’t and we’ve all seen what happens when Nazi’s mix with society :P I think they made the right decision.

    • AR

      Here is the deal. You want to be a Nazi, fine. However, you are also going to get your head kicked in if I ever get my hands on you. If I have to deal with your bullshit you are going to deal with mine. End of story.

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=721000412 Gezrick Newall

        Exactly what I’m saying, but 99.99% of the people at hellfest don’t go there for that so don’t put them in that situation. Personally though, I’m with you. Find me a Nazi or Racist or any one who’s violently prejudiced and I’ll ring their fucking necks but not before I take a written statement of their violent intent and I’ll forcefully insert it into their rectum with a sledgehammer.

  • Mental-vortex