Bay Area death metal band RIPPED TO SHREDS has withdrawn from an upcoming show at 924 Gilman Street, citing ethical concerns over fellow performers MASTER’s appearance at the Metal Threat festival—an event that also features ARGHOSLENT, a band widely condemned for lyrics that glorify the transatlantic slave trade.
In a statement posted Monday (October 6), RIPPED TO SHREDS wrote: “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 clarified that their booking agency, Heavy Talent, only represents SINISTER—not MASTER—and that MASTER’s Metal Threat appearance was arranged independently through promoter Paul Dunski. RIPPED TO SHREDS added that they are parting ways with Heavy Talent, citing “mismanagement” of the situation.
In response, MASTER took to Instagram to share posts from other outlets covering the controversy and issued a fiery rebuttal. In a statement, the band accused RIPPED TO SHREDS of opportunism and dismissed the criticism (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.”
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.