Mumbai: Phil Anselmo’s troubles with the recent racism episode continues to haunt him.
The latest setback comes with the announcement of Dutch Festival Fortarock cancelling the band ‘Down’, fronted by Anselmo, scheduled to take place on June 04-05 in Nijmegen, Netherlands. The festival’s website issued the following statement – “After the recent outbursts by singer Phil Anselmo during the Dimebash event in the US, his band ‘Down’ is no longer welcome at Fortarock. Anselmo ended the show in the US with a Nazi salute and shouted White Power.
There has been close consultation between all parties in recent days, since we wanted to make a well informed decision. On that basis, the decision is made to cancel the act. We want to make it clear that there is no room for racism or fascism on Fortarock.” Anselmo has been facing serious criticism since he made a Nazi style salute and appeared to say “White Power” on stage at ‘Dimebash’ on 22 January 2016.
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Anselmo later claimed that he had been drinking white wine backstage, and hence the reference to White Power. Anselmo also issued a video apology for the act and went on to say, “Phillip H Anselmo here, and I am here to basically respond to all the heat I have been getting that I deserve completely. I was at the Dimebash and it was extremely late at night. There was heavy duty talk between myself and those who love Dime. Heavy emotions were flowing, jokes were being made backstage, that transpired on stage and it was ugly, it was uncalled for, and anyone who knows me and my true nature knows that I don’t believe in any of that, I don’t want to be a part of any group. I am an individual and I am 1000 per cent apologetic to anyone who took offense to what I sad. You really should have taken offense to what I said. And I am so sorry. And I hope,man just give me another chance. Just give me another chance. I love. All of you, and anyone who’s met me, or knows me, knows that I love all of you.”
Anselmo’s band ‘Down’ is a metal supergroup featuring members of Corrison of Conformity, Eyrhategod and others. Apart from the cancelled FortaRock, ‘Down’ has eight other European shows scheduled for June 2016.
Many from the music community spoke out against Anselmo’s actions, calling it stupid, insensitive and unacceptable. Machinehead’s Robert Flynn released a 11 minute video and said he would never play a Pantera song again. Other musicians including members of Darkest Hour, Every time I Die and All Shall Perish have also condemned the singer for his onstage behavior.
