The situation surrounding metalcore act Balmora has rapidly deteriorated following disturbing allegations of sexual misconduct and grooming of a minor against guitarist Jay Torblaa. After an initial attempt to salvage their immediate touring plans, the band has officially dropped off their upcoming run, and their future remains entirely uncertain as a founding member exits the group.
The chaos began on June 1, when the band released an official statement addressing the accusations against Torblaa, which gained significant traction online over the weekend. The initial statement claimed that the remaining members, Danny, Paul, Colin, and Chaz, were moving forward without the guitarist.
The band wrote: “In the past few days we’ve seen the evidence and screen shots of the behavior of our guitarist engaging with someone underage. We the other four members Danny, Paul, Colin and Chaz don’t f**k with this at all obviously. Jay will be stepping away from the band and our summer tour will continue on as planned.”
“We’re sorry for what seems like the lack of transparency. Just trying to figure out how to navigate this and continue with all the shows we have booked and planned to play. All of our love goes out to the promoters, our tour mates and everyone who f**ks with us on some real s**t.”
However, that plan collapsed just hours later. Bassist Danny Cuneo took to his personal Instagram story to reshare the band’s statement, contradicting the idea of moving forward and announcing his immediate departure. He explicitly declared the band “nuked.”
“I said this s**t. Band is nuked. Don’t real f**k with all this weirdo s**t, My fault slimes, I’m out. I started this s**t years ago with my homie Brandon [Antoniak] kinda just turned into a sh**ty monster of a band. Don’t f**k with people using their bands to act weird talking to those who are younger/vulnerable.”
Shortly after Cuneo‘s post, the official Balmora Instagram page completely disappeared.
Following the bassist’s exit, an updated statement from the Balmora camp was issued to Loudwire, officially pulling the plug on their immediate live plans and placing the entire project on ice.
“Balmora will no longer be appearing on their planned June tour and the status of the band is currently pending. Holder and Azshara will proceed with the tour, with Contention on select dates,” the statement read.
These rapid developments severely derail the promotional cycle for the band’s brand new studio album, These Graven Halls, which had just been released days prior on Friday, May 29. The group had recently welcomed vocalist Paul Cole into the lineup earlier this year to prepare for their extensive 2026 touring schedule.
The scheduled June run will now continue, with Holder stepping up as the primary headliner.
Holder and Azshara 2026 Tour Dates:
- Jun 3 – Boston, MA @ Middle East (Upstairs)
- Jun 4 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Woodshop
- Jun 5 – Sterling, VA @ Crooked Run Brewing
- Jun 6 – Richmond, VA @ The Camel
- Jun 7 – Raleigh, NC @ Kings
- Jun 9 – Miami, FL @ Boombox Miami
- Jun 10 – Tampa, FL @ Skatepark of Tampa (feat. Contention)
- Jun 11 – Jacksonville, FL @ Hard Love
- Jun 12 – Pensacola, FL @ The Handlebar (feat. Contention)
- Jun 13 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Mid City Ballroom (feat. Contention)
- Jun 14 – Houston, TX @ The End
- Jun 15 – San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
- Jun 16 – Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves
- Jun 17 – Oklahoma City, OK @ OKC Farmers Market
- Jun 18 – Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone
- Jun 19 – Springfield, IL @ Abraham Lincoln Church
- Jun 20 – Milwaukee, WI @ X-Ray Arcade
- Jun 21 – Grand Rapids, MI @ 6th Street Hall
- Jun 22 – Columbus, OH @ Dirty Dungarees
- Jun 23 – Buffalo, NY @ Amvets Post 13
- Jun 24 – Troy, NY @ No Fun
- Jun 25 – Burlington, VT @ St. Anthony’s Church
- Jun 26 – Portland, ME @ Geno’s Rock Club
- Jun 27 – Norwich, CT @ Maennerchor Club
