A rift in the death metal scene has erupted after Bay Area band Ripped to Shreds pulled out of a scheduled performance at 924 Gilman Street, citing ethical concerns over fellow act Master’s appearance at the Metal Threat festival. The controversy centers on Arghoslent, a band on the festival lineup known for lyrics that glorify the Black slave trade.
Ripped to Shreds made their stance clear in a social media post, stating: “refusing to play with a neonazi band like arghoslent that glorifies the black slave trade is the lowest possible bar and master still failed it, so we’re withdrawing from friday’s show at @924gilmanstreet support to @bitterendbooking for doing the right thing and canceling the show. we’re still leaving heavy talent, but i would like to clarify that heavy talent only reps sinister, the sinister and master tour was booked as a package, and master booked their show with metal threat directly through paul dunski and not through heavy talent.”
The band also announced their departure from booking agency Heavy Talent, criticizing its handling of the situation. They clarified that Heavy Talent only represents Sinister, and that Master’s Metal Threat booking was arranged independently through promoter Paul Dunski.
Master responded with a fiery rebuttal on Instagram, accusing Ripped to Shreds of leveraging the situation for attention (according to Vice): “THEY BEGGED OUR BOOKING AGENT TO GET ON THIS SHOW KNOWING FULL WELL WE WERE ALREADY SCHEDULED TO PLAY METAL THREAT. OBVIOUSLY THEY SAW AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THEIR DOGS**T BAND SOME HYPE. WE’RE OUT HERE WORKING TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES. THAT DUDE IS HOME IN HIS COMFY SHOEBOX APARTMENT IN SF WRITING ARTICLES ABOUT HOW HE’S OPPRESSED IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS. WE DON’T EVEN LISTEN TO METAL 98% OF THE TIME. RIDICULOUS. LIKE WE HAVE TIME TO SIT THERE (LIKE THIS LOSER) AND GO THROUGH EVERY BAND PLAYING A 4 DAY. FESTIVAL AND READ THROUGH ALL THEIR LYRICS TO SEE IF THEY SAY THINGS THAT HURT OUR FEELINGS. WE’RE WORKING.”
Writer and extreme metal devotee, Ialdagorth has spent over a decade covering the darkest corners of heavy music. A black metal lifer, he spends his free time wandering the Carpathian Mountains, likely humming blast beats to the trees.
