MEGADETH, SAXON, BLIND GUARDIAN, GRAVE DIGGER, ROCK AND ROLL ALL STARS COMMENT ON BRAZILS METAL FEST OPEN AIR (4-20-22/2012) FIASCO

MEGADETH and many more bands have commented on (what is now) a huge fiasco regarding BRAZIL's METAL FEST OPEN air, taking place 4/20-22, 2012 Sao Luis, Brazil.. BRAZIL's METAL FEST OPEN AIR has been strife with "technical and logistical problems" with not enough food, water or toilet facilities for the fans.
VENOM cancelled out of BRAZIL's METAL FEST OPEN air Thursday citing VISA problems and ANTHRAX pulled out of the event due to sound logistics as the sound crew bailed due to lack of payment.
Police with riot gear are on site at BRAZILS METAL FEST OPEN AIR.

METAL FEST OPEN AIR featured ANVIL, EXODUS, ANTHRAX, MEGADETH and many more legendary extreme metal acts.

FROM SAXON: 
"due to a serious breach of contract by the promoters." The band explained, "Having waited since March the 15th for the fee to arrive, as of Friday [April 20 at] 2 p.m., no money has arrived."

FROM BLIND GUARDIAN: 
"In 25 years of our career, we have managed to fix all problems to make sure our performance is going to take place. No matter what the circumstances were, we intended to play. We have been extremely successful in the avoidance of canceled shows, so far. This, unfortunately, comes to a very sad end here in São Luís. Due to massive technical and administrative problems, we were forced to cancel tonight's show. As far as we understand, it seems to be the local management who has not been able to secure a proper festival environment, anymore. Things are pretty out of hand there. We feel very sorry about this totally unsatisfying situation, but the mistakes made by the local promoter makes an even improvised show impossible. I know that we have the most dedicated fans and I count on your understanding. In the future, we will be more careful in confirming such festivals."


FROM ROCK AND ROLL ALL STARS: 
Rock 'N' Roll Allstars, an 11-piece supergroup comprised of Gene Simmons of KISS, three former members of GUNS N' ROSES, Sebastian Bach and many other big names in rock history, released the following statement regarding their non-participation in Metal Open Air: "Rock 'N' Roll Allstars are saddened to annouce the cancellation of our performance at Metal Open Air festival in São Luís, Brazil. We regret not being able to attend. We are in South America and are ready to rock, but the circumstances are beyond our control: We were informed before flying to Brazil today that many other artists have pulled out of the event, as well as local security. We are very concerned for the safety of the fans and artists whom are already at the festival. We are receiving confirmed reports from other bands and friends on the ground that the event is dangerous and a disaster. Please be safe, and we look forward to rocking for you in the future."


FROM GRAVEDIGGER: 
"The Metal Open Air festival is canceled. Problems between the promoter, the P.A. and light company and many others forced us to cancel our participation at the MOA festival. It's a sad day. We travelled so far to be part of this festival and we are so sorry for all the fans which attend to this festival. It is out of our hands."

FROM MEGADETH: 
Droogies,

To the fans last night in Sao Luis,

Thank you. It's all I can say. One Big Mega Thank You!

Yesterday's show in Sao Luis was very challenging, but we did it! It was almost 3:00 AM last night, when we finally left the stage.

One of the highlights for me was when my good friend Michael Romeo came up to me during one of the breaks in the show and gave me a much needed bear hug.

I love Symphony X!

I especially want to say thanks to my band and my fabulous crew for making it happen.

If it weren't for my crew, specifically, the festival probably would not have happened. They are so modest; they'll say something humble, like "we just made lemonade out of lemons." Sure, they did; but it was really like making silk sheets out of pig skin.

I was told a lot of the talent opted out from coming. I was also told the tickets cost $450 Brazilian Real for the three day weekend, and $250 BRL for just one day. The average person in this area makes $28 BRL a day, so you can do the math. About nine days of work to come to the festival for just one day. Sixteen days for the whole weekend.

We were playing, no matter what. We weren't playing for the promoter anymore; we were playing for the people!

That's what this whole thing is about. The MUSIC and playing it for YOU!

I hope my Big Four Brothers in ANTHRAX get to play tonight! Hopefully all of the Big Four will come to Brazil.

Dave Mustaine



Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-