Just weeks away from the release of their highly anticipated debut album, Where the Body Goes, Scottish heavy metal band LOTUS EATER have disbanded within hours of being hit with accusations of abuse against the band’s frontman, Paul Collins.
The band initially responded to the allegations with the following statement on July 09th: “Paul Collins is no longer a member of LOTUS EATER.”
Just an hour later, the group revealed they had called it quits, writing:
“Lotus Eater
2016-2021
Gloom Worldwide, thank you for everything.”
Paul Collins has since announced that he will be taking legal action against those making allegations against him, issuing the following statement: “I have been made aware of a Twitter and Instagram page that is a group of my ex partners that are portraying me in horrendous and disgusting ways when I was in my teens. I am now 25. These stories are NOT true and I wouldn’t dream of doing any of these things to women or anyone and any arguments I’ve had with them are blown highly out of proportion. I will be revising these statements and addressing them thoroughly.
“These are people that are using my old relationships as a way to destroy me as a person, musician and partner. You have relationships when you’re younger and you learn from mistakes you make throughout those relationships. I understand that the way I could speak when I was younger was irrational and I didn’t understand what I do now about interacting with people, especially when I felt uncomfortable.
“I will hold myself accountable for the things I do wrong but these things are a deformation of my character and slander. My band and band mates, friends and my family have nothing to do with this and I will take full responsibility. I am stepping down from Lotus Eater until these statements are sorted.
“I am taking legal action. My partner Kirsty is also making a statement about my character. I AM NOT who you are saying I am.”
LOTUS EATER had been planning to release their new album “Where The Body Goes” on July 23rd through Hopeless Records.
