The website of Batschkapp Frankfurt (Germany) says that the whole tour is cancelled without substitution!
www.batschkapp.de (it´s written in German)...
www.batschkapp.de (it´s written in German)...
I hope they make up for this bullshit by bringing Fates Warning with them when they reschedule
Does anyone know why it's called off?
[It] was caused by none other than them. This was completely foreseeable, as Tom S. has basically ruined the band, from the finances, to the business and music.
He made so many bone-headed moves in his effort to go commercial that he turned a band that could potentially be one of the bigger ones out there into a joke. They originally did what they did really well, then decided it was time to go big time and bring in big names who don't understand metal in the least, to record the album even though Tom has a recording studio. I guess Tom doesn't know a rock or metal audience either, because him dropping "Britney Spears Producer" or "Def Leppard mixer" or whatever wasn't being bought by the audience. And it showed. Beyond the standard slowdown across the industry, they experienced a complete collapse in the interest of the band. Many of the old fans have ditched. Some stuck around, but barely enough to cover a tour.
I mean, it's embarassing that a band that has toured other countries on bigger cards is now reduced to renting a van and driving themselves to gig, just like back in the old days.
Tom Englund is a complete fraud and he should not be blaming the promoters, venues, or anyone else. He did this to his band, and no one else. He thought he bet right on making these moves with the band, and lost because there was too much of a contrast between the earlier era and now. They went from dark, almost prog metal to commercial rock/metal.
The factors were within your control, but you guys blew it.
Interesting tidbits here:
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=116835
Also the part where Tom says: "Two years ago we needed an album with a slightly different approach and an expensive producer, just to find out how that sort of thing works. It was the right album at the time, but now we have returned to our typical trademarks." is laughable.
In this situations a fan should prove his loyalty to the band!