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Rites of Darkness 2011 still on despite heavy cancellations UPDATED

by BBG

Inquisition at MDF (more by BBG)
Inquisition

“This is Danny, the promoter for Rites of Darkness. I understand people have been getting frustrated with lack of news so I personally apologize for that. We have gone through a rash of cancellations which were beyond our control.. Paypal froze the Festival’s account which caused delayed flights for months. By the time Paypal decided to release our account flights escalated beyond our set budget. So the show is NOT cancelled by any means but the following bands will not be performing: Root, Akitsa, Interment, Demonical, Valkyrja, Dead Congregation, Hour of 13, and Strid

Rites of Darkness, the San Antonio festival in December that lined up an impressive slate of bands from around the world and many notable exclusives, has suffered a rash of cancellations (including Mortuary Drape), many of which were headlining bands.

The festival has remained silent about the situation for close to two weeks, but finally updated festival-goers today. Their message, excerpted above and available in full below, explains the situation, but neglects to mention that Pagan Altar also cancelled (they were slated for a two hour set) and that Zemial cancelled too. Another band that is currently in flux, Stargazer, is reportedly without flights (the band is from Australia) at the moment. The listing is missing General Surgery, and no announcement has been made about the pre-fest which includes France’s Hell Militia. Previously announced cancellations include Ondskapt, Urfaust, Behexen, and Sargeist. RoD has added new Profound Lore signees Pallbearer.

Reminder: two RoD bands, Inquisition and Disma, are scheduled to play The Studio at Webster Hall on 12/2 with Agrath. Tickets are still available.

UPDATE: Both Zemial and Pagan Altar are reconsidering their appearances. Statements from both are below.

UPDATED AGAIN: Disma, Funebrarum, Evoken, and Oak have all cancelled their appearances.

The most recent Rites of Darkness statement and the current lineup is below.

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UPDATE from Pagan Altar:

PLEASE READ.after reading all your comments We have had a serious meeting about the ROD gig and have been in contact with the promoter. Please hold fire on making other arrangements. We are doing our upmost to make this possible and we have gotta finally sort out some problems about visas among other things. If this gets sorted and we are happy with the arrangements we will be very happy to come over.

UPDATE from Zemial:

Good news.
Danny has begun the booking process. Scorpios is flying to Athens tomorrow for rehearsals and within the following days all other items should be taken care of. I will be attending to the customary updates.
It’s looking good.

11/30/11 – FESTIVAL III NEWS

This is Danny, the promoter for Rites of Darkness. I understand people have been getting frustrated with lack of news so I personally apologize for that. We have gone through a rash of cancellations which were beyond our control.. Paypal froze the Festival’s account which caused delayed flights for months. By the time Paypal decided to release our account flights escalated beyond our set budget. So the show is NOT cancelled by any means but the following bands will not be performing: Root, Akitsa, Interment, Demonical, Valkyrja, Dead Congregation, Hour of 13, and Strid

The following bands are still performing and we have recently added PALLBEARER as well:
*PAGAN ALTAR (full 2 hour set)
*ANTAEUS (only North American show)
*ZEMIAL (we are working on their flights now and anyone willing to contribute to making this happen, contact us [email protected])
*STARGAZER (same as Zemial)
*INQUISITION
*ADVERSARIAL (only US show)
*MOURNFUL CONGREGATION
*CIANIDE (only TX show)
*GRAVE RITUAL (not on the poster but are playing! – they will be on the hard copy).
*CRUCIAMENTUM
*ANATOMIA (only North American show)
*IGNIVOMOUS (only North American show)
*WEAPON (only US show)
*MITOCHONDRION (only US show)
*DEMIGOD (performing the entire Slumber of Sullen Eyes album)
*DIVINE EVE (not on the poster but are playing! – they will be on the hard copy).
*MIDNIGHT
*BLACK WITCHERY
*NUNSLAUGHTER
*DISMA
*VASAELETH
*WARMASTER
*ANHEDONIST
*ILSA
*ALDEBARAN
*PLUTOCRACY
*LOSS
*IMPETUOUS RITUAL
*GRAVE UPHEAVAL
*EVOKEN
*FUNEBRARUM
*PALLBEARER

We have also mailed out 50 more tickets to those that have been waiting. If you do not get a shipped email, then your ticket will be at will call with your full name so bring your ID when you come to the door.

We hope to see you guys in TX next week.
Danny S.