K několikrát probíranému incidentu během posledního vystoupení na Ozzfestu (další fotky najdete tu ) se vyjádřil i sám manažer IRON MAIDEN Rod Smallwood:
"MAIDEN are currently returning from America and preparing for U.K. festivals this weekend and don't wish to waste time giving Sharon Osbourne's statement the dignity of a reply. Considering the disgraceful nature of the events that occurred they feel it's a pretty dismal effort at self justification and they don't think metal fans are at all gullible and that they will easily see through it. They want no more to do with this sorry incident and are very much looking forward to headlining Reading and Leeds festivals this weekend.
"I would however like to add my own comment on this.
"In 30 years in this business and after attending hundreds of gigs, l have never seen anything anywhere near as disgusting and unprofessional as what went on that night. I was standing on our sound desk out front as usual but ran to the stage as soon as the hail of missiles began and from then on watched from the front of the stage right next to Bruce's walkway. The scale, viciousness and concentration of the throwing made it obvious that this was a premeditated and co-ordinated attack. Assaulting musicians while performing by throwing bottle tops, lighters and eggs at them from just a few yards away is vile, dangerous, criminal and cowardly. It is incredible that Ozzfest security apparently did nothing about it — aren't they there to protect the bands too? Especially when the band is concentrating on a performance in front of 45,000 people and the missiles are coming out of the glare of the spotlights. And to spit at a band on stage is unforgivable.
"IRON MAIDEN, like all the bands on Ozzfest, had to sign quite onerous legal documents part of which was promising not to throw anything into the audience, even wristbands!!! Ironic isn't it.
"It is well documented on the web who was responsible for planning and participating in this attack and for musicians to join in this assault on other musicians is a shocking disgrace akin to treachery. You should all be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves.
"We know who authorised the making of the 'Ozzy - Ozzy' chant tape the day before and how it was played secretly through the PA at the very beginning and end of our set.
"We also know who continually turned off the power interrupting our set at crucial moments. It is a good thing that the power was turned back on before there was a riot as you could sense on stage a lot of the huge audience were getting totally pissed off at this continual onslaught on the band.
"The great majority of the Ozzfest crew throughout the tour were terrific and we thank them. Those who participated or stood idly by and watched as this all went down should also be ashamed of themselves and l would certainly hope they never come near a tour with which we are involved.
"There is little point in my commenting on the chap with the flag or their trying to hold up Eddie or Sharon's speech as the audience made their feelings very clear on each occasion.
"And in the end what was all this about?? If l had any sort of problem or misunderstanding with a band working on a tour we were involved in l would go and talk to them or their manager - not wait until the end of a tour and assault and ambush them. Or was that really it?
"I find it staggering that this ambush would take place in front of any audience, let alone in San Bernardino, the biggest audience of the tour. Didn't that audience merit any consideration? They pay an awful lot to be there in terms of prices for tickets, parking, food, beer etc. Surely if they spend this sort of money they deserve to watch the bands they paid to see be able to put in a full unhindered performance. Free of danger and intimidation. If I had paid I would ask for my money back!
"And this audience really were outstanding, giving the band incredible support and many voting with their feet in disgust after the set and the speech, which to many was the final insult.
"I have to say l was immensely proud of MAIDEN who stood up to it all and showed great courage and just got better and better through the adversity. Their heads never dropped, instead they went on the offensive. It was a truly memorable moment when Bruce went to the very front of the stage during 'Trooper' — something which he never normally does as he is usually on the ramps — waving the flag whilst avoiding the hail of missiles and yelling 'This is a fucking British flag, and these colours don't fucking run!' The imperturbable attitude and ability of the band shone through and in the end made this a truly remarkable rock and roll event, even if for all the wrong reasons.
"We will have no more to say on this matter except that l do think the band deserve an apology from a number of people, and you know who you are."
Poněkud jiný úhel pohledu zastává zpěvačka zúčastněných OTEP Otep Shamaya:
"I was able to get away for a bit and visited a few friends & allies [co-conspirators] at Ozzfest in [San Bernardino] [Saturday] ... I arrived just in time to watch the mighty SLIPKNOT destroy the main stage ... I stood with Kelly Osbourne and a few other friends while the members 9 annhiliated the storm of people swimming before them ... it was great to catch up and see many of our supporters there as well ... the SoCAL chapter of the Shadow Soldiers were out in full force & it was a proud moment for me to see such solidarity ... I also witnessed the carnage that took place while IRON MAIDEN played ... I don't think its ever a good idea, I don't care how many albums you've sold or how big you think your ego is, to berate, insult, or subtly attack the man who started the festival you are playing on ... BLACK SABBATH fans are savagely loyal and it showed tonite ... eggs, water bottles, assorted other items were thrown at the stage ... I am not sure why there was such animosity spewed from the IRON MAIDEN camp, but it wasn't well received ... Perhaps they should start a Maidenfest and then they can insult whoever they like without the hypocrisy of using Ozzfest for your benefit and attacking its creators at the same time ... Eh, whatevah."
Tagy:
Varg Vikernes
MOHLO BY VÁS ZAJÍMAT
Bruce Dickinson - CO DĚLÁ TENHLE KNOFLÍK?
- Louis
- 4. října 2021
IRON MAIDEN - Senjutsu
- Louis
- 16. září 2021
POWERWOLF - Call Of The Wild
- Louis
- 30. července 2021
BLAZE BAYLEY, KATR - Plzeň, Šeříkovka - 30. dubna 2017
- Louis
- 6. května 2017
BORKNAGAR - Urd
- Stray
- 25. dubna 2012
AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR - Megafauna
Irové pokračují ve své vizi neotřele pojatého a math rockem ušpiněného post rocku, jako by se stále snažili vyrovnat debutu, kterým se blýskli již v roce 2009. Opět chybí asi jen špetka, aby to bylo na potlesk.
- Noisy
- před hodinou
NOVA CHARISMA - Metropolitan
Tento projekt táhne především charakteristický vokál Donovana Melero z HAIL THE SUN, což ve spojení se Sergio Medinou z ROYAL CODA znamená ono emotivně bolavé ukřičené post hardcore inferno, které odkazuje k domovským skupinám obou zmíněných hudebníků.
- Noisy
- před 5 hodinami
MONUMENT OF MISANTHROPY - Vile Postmortem Irrumatio
Rakouská brutální parta si za tematickou oblast své tvorby vybrala sériové vrahy. Je tedy asi logické, že těžiště i jejich třetího alba je deathgrindový nářez. A je to slušná porce třeba pro příznivce belgických ABORTED.
- Noisy
- před 7 hodinami
REVOLTING - Night Of The Horrid
Klasický "Rogga" Johansson a jeho user-friendly death metal. Letos sice nemá oslnivou formu (viz slabší PAGANIZER), ale stále je to se ctí. Minulá deska byla lepší, ale i tady si skalní fanoušek najde to své. Hned po prvním poslechu vidíte všechny karty.
- Reaper
- včera
50M ZNAK - Nadechnout se
Trochu emařiny, trochu punkrocku a špetka indie melancholie. KOVADLINA řiznutá CARCIO RADIO. Ve výsledku celkem pozitivní vibe. Nová kapela se staronovými tvářemi a Banánem u mikrofonu. Hardcorovější MŇÁGA? Možná.
- RIP
- včera
HIDDEN MOTHERS - Erosion / Avulsion
Tahle britská parta si prostě musí vybrat co chce. Koncept, ve kterém střídáte mělký emotivní rock a temnou post metalovou vlnu šilhající po blackaze v konečném důsledku působí jako zmatlaný dort od Pejska a Kočičky.
- RIP
- včera
DEVIN TOWNSEND - PowerNerd
Nesúhlasím úplne s kolegom Shnoffom, že „PowerNerd“ je „ezo“. Devinovej potrhlosti je v textoch síce dosť, no v prvom rade ide o priamočiary prog’n'roll, ktorý strhne a baví od začiatku až do konca. Ad koniec: na „Ruby Quaker“ sa už so Shnoffom zhodneme.
- Thorn
- včera
DISKUSE A HODNOCENÍ
REFORE - Illusion Of Existence
- majecek9
- před 11 hodinami
BRUCE DICKINSON - The Mandrake Project
- majecek9
- před 11 hodinami
KERRY KING - From Hell I Rise
- majecek9
- před 11 hodinami
DARKENED - Defilers Of The Light
- majecek9
- před 11 hodinami
Stephen King - HOLLY
- majecek9
- před 11 hodinami
HEJTMAN - Vítejte v pekle
- majecek9
- před 11 hodinami
IN APHELION - Reaperdawn
- majecek9
- před 11 hodinami