In a new interview, Primal Fear bassist Mat Sinner detailed the significant hurdles preventing the band from touring in the United States, pointing to a recent surge in visa costs and a convoluted application process. Speaking on the Scars And Guitars podcast, Sinner expressed his frustration with the bureaucratic red tape that has made U.S. tours financially unfeasible for many international acts.
Sinner, a key songwriter and producer for the German power metal band, explained that Primal Fear has a history of touring in the U.S. without issue, having completed seven tours in the past. However, recent changes have made the process too risky. “Everybody’s asking, ‘Why don’t you come to America?'” he said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “We played seven tours in America [in the past]. It was never a problem. All is cool. So now you hear reports that a lot of European bands, even that had working visas, were not allowed to enter the U.S. The immigration said ‘no.'”
The financial risks are substantial. The band would have to invest a significant amount of money in legal fees, visas, flights, and bus rentals without any guarantee of being allowed into the country. Sinner added: “How can you risk it to ruin a band without not having the proof that you can enter the country and play a tour?” He emphasized that while a fan in Texas might wonder why the band won’t play there, the issue is not with the band but with the U.S. immigration system itself. “It’s not our problem. It’s your problem.”
Sinner highlighted the stark contrast between touring in the U.S. and in Europe. An American band, he noted, can tour in Germany without a visa or other complex requirements, make their money, and return home without issue. “This is just, for me, not the right way,” he stated.
According to a report by the Associated Press, the visa fees for artists and performers have increased by up to 250 percent. The cost for a P-category visa, which applies to temporary touring artists, has reportedly jumped from $460 to over $1,615 per application. While U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) claims the fee hike will improve processing times, immigration lawyers argue the opposite has occurred. This financial burden disproportionately affects smaller acts and is a major deterrent for international artists, who are often forced to cancel tours.
For a band like Primal Fear, which sells a significant number of albums in the U.S., the decision is particularly difficult. “I’m sorry for all the fans, but under these circumstances, it’s financially too risky for us,” Sinner concluded. “I hope the time will change.”
