Australian Promoter Wants To See All Bands "Whom Attack Ones Faith Banned"

It has barely been two weeks since The Venue in Idaho canceled the gig for thrashers Deathead. Now an Australian promoter has clashed with Darkc3ll.

Darkc3ll manager, Robyn Morrison explains to The Gauntlet "We booked the Rock Dungeon venue as part of Darkc3ll's National Album tour. The promoter, Bryn Peter Collins was known to me through gigs more than a decade ago but I had not been in contact with him since. Despite the fact he purports we are good friends, I would call it more 'gig acquaintances'. I came across him again when he spammed the SF Media (Sludge Factory) Facebook page with events coming up at Rock Dungeon, Melbourne, Australia. I sent him a Facebook message asking for an email address to pitch a show at him for Darkc3ll. He gave me his email and mobile number. I spoke with him and he was very accommodating to book Darkc3ll on 15 November. I told him we already had Cold Divide (a local Melbourne industrial band) and Bryn suggested Witchgrinder (another local Melbourne band but also they are label mates to Darkc3ll, which he didn't know at the time but they also have a recent single called The Demon Calling). I assumed since he knew these bands he knew what sort of night we were putting on.

"Bryn received the press release for the Exorcist video and I heard nothing back from him. Last week I sent the press release for the Dark Verses cover and I received an email back from him right away saying that he was concerned about Exorcist but now he has seen the album cover, alarm bells were ringing. I asked him whether he could put personal opinions aside and could the gig go on? He replied that as long as they "aren't blatantly saying blasphemous , derogatory things attacking my faith from the stage all will be fine !!" I replied back, "The conditions you've placed on the band might compromise some of the lyrics in their songs, particularly the first single from the new album. Under these restrictions it would be difficult for Darkc3ll to perform a show their fans expect of them. Thanks for considering them at your venue. I believe it's best for both parties if we seek another venue."

"He then went on to say that if we were to change venues that could we not play on a Friday night as it would clash with his night. I replied that given it wasn't our choice to move venues we would have to consider all options and I couldn't guarantee the show wouldn't be on a Friday night. He told me not to make any "rash decisions" and that he would call me last Friday to work things out. Friday came and went and no call. On Sunday I wrote him a follow up email to formally cancel the gig because I had seen a post where he was saying Darkc3ll was still playing at the venue. This is his reply, "I could not agree more, I was majorly offended by what I saw, it was very, very , very, distasteful & blasphemous, highly offensive indeed!!! Personally I would like to see all of those bands of whom attack any ones faith out rite banned !!! I will never book a band that attacks my faith , at Rock Dungeon or at DV8 !!!"

"Last night I posted the article on SF Media. He has now posted several posts that the cancellation was due to unforeseen circumstances. We have asked what those circumstances are but we've received no response."

Darkc3ll frontman Jesse Dracman stated to The Gauntlet that "It's tragic in this day and age, when the spiritual beliefs of a promoter interfere with the artist and entertainment value on offer. We never promote anything other than for our fans to see an amazing show and have an awesome time. This guy has clearly lost his marbles with hypocritical intent."

The Gauntlet asked promoter Bryn Collins to comment and as of printing, he has not responded.

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Tags:  Darkc3ll, religion   

Jason Fisher    August 26, 2013