THE BEAST

Portland’s Uada are the latest metal band to come under fire for alleged affiliations with far-right hate groups.

The problems for the group began earlier this month, when a Leipzig, Germany venue, Plaque, opted to cancel the band’s November 11 performance because of Uada’s association with Messe Des Morts, the 2016 Montreal music festival that was shut down following sometimes-violent antifa protests against Graveland and Forteresse, bands with National Socialist ties. According to a statement from the venue, Uada “have not distanced themselves in retrospect, but on the contrary complained about the prevention of the concert by Canadian anti-fascists,” and Plaque sees “such ‘gray zone’ connections are a no-go” — in other words, the mere fact that Uada weren’t vocal enough about Graveland and Forteresse’s heinous politics was enough for the venue to feel that a cancelation was warranted.

We can assume Plaque’s decision was based on a statement made by Uada following the Messe Des Morts shut-down, in which they claimed to be “a band with zero political, religious or cultural bias in our viewpoints or our art” and asserted that “the actions of the antifa were far more hateful than any words or actions we experienced at Messe des Morts.”

Following the Plaque show cancelation, Uada released a statement of their own, flatly denying any such ties to bigoted bands:

“There is never a shortness of absurdity in this world… Today we have found news that UT Connewitz (post via Plaque) has decided to cancel our show in Leipzig with Gaahls WYRD, Tribulation (Official) & IDLE HANDS – PDX with the false accusation of UADA being a Nazi affiliated band. Apparently this is not the first time that they have prevented us from playing in this city, but we hope it will be their last.

“It is painfully obvious that they have never met us personally nor has any real clue to who we are or what we represent. The accusations they have thrown out are 100% completely false and we advise any serious bands, musicians, artists, agents, bookers & promoters ect… to stay away from any organization that would wrongfully and publically brand a band such as they have done here.

“The show will be moved to another city & we hope those in Leipzig that were looking forward to seeing UADA, as well as the rest of this amazing line-up, will find us on better soil.

“In closing we will say it’s quite ballsy & ironic for a German organization/venue to call this band (who hosts one of Jewish decent) Nazis. Maybe it is time they did their homework and took a long hard look in the mirror.” Via MetalSucks