Uada respond to "booking complications due to false allegations" of Nazism

Portland black metal band Uada, who released the acclaimed Cult of a Dying Sun this year and who used to share a drummer with Agalloch offshoot Pillorian, have reportedly been having shows cancelled due to allegations of nazi affiliations, which the band deny.

According to MetalSucks, the alleged affiliation dates back to the statement Uada issued after the cancellation of the 2016 edition of Montreal festival Messe Des Morts. MDM had booked NSBM-linked band Graveland that year and was shut down due to Antifa protests (some of which were violent). Uada had issued a statement after the festival was shut down, which criticized Antifa’s violent protests. The statement also said that they are a “band with zero political, religious or cultural bias in our viewpoints or our art,” and “while we all strive for freedom of speech & expression, we also understand that includes the right to protest. What that does not include is the right to physically attack fans, steal merchandise/clothing from innocent by-standers, throw tear gas bombs into the commercial buildings nearby & later show up to our hotel to smash windows & hallway lights well after the show was cancelled.”

Last month, German venue Plaque cancelled a Uada show, and issued a statement saying that Uada “have not distanced themselves [from Messe De Morts] in retrospect, but on the contrary complained about the prevention of the concert by Canadian anti-fascists” and that “such ‘gray zone’ connections are a no-go.” Uada responded with a statement of their own, which read in part: “We will say it’s quite ballsy & ironic for a German organization/venue to call this band (who hosts one of Jewish [descent]) Nazis. Maybe it is time they did their homework and took a long hard look in the mirror.”

Now, Uada say that they’re facing more “booking complications due to false allegations,” and they have taken the opportunity to issue another statement, once again saying that they “do not support any sort of racism, oppression or fascism. It reads in full:

We have recieved word that there has been more booking complications due to false allegations. False allegations including UADA being a “right leaning/nazi affiliated band.”

The four of us would like to officially make a statement here and now to kill all suspicions, doubts and rumors…

We are not a political band and we absolutely do not support any sort of racism, oppression or fascism. We are not interested in political agendas within our music because our art means more to us than spreading such bigoted idiocy.

So to anyone assuming we are something we are not… It is very easy to write us directly or come out to one of our concerts to meet us. We would highly appreciate people making an effort in communication before making an assumption such as this. We take a lot of pride in truth and will always speak it, on a personal level as well as through our art. No games, no facade, no bullshit.

And here is Uada’s full statement from when they responded to the Plaque cancellation:

There is never a shortness of absurdity in this world… Today we have found news that UT Connewitz (post via Plaque) has decided to cancel our show in Leipzig with Gaahls WYRD, Tribulation (Official) & IDLE HANDS – PDX with the false accusation of UADA being a Nazi affiliated band. Apparently this is not the first time that they have prevented us from playing in this city, but we hope it will be their last.

It is painfully obvious that they have never met us personally nor has any real clue to who we are or what we represent. The accusations they have thrown out are 100% completely false and we advise any serious bands, musicians, artists, agents, bookers & promoters ect… to stay away from any organization that would wrongfully and publically brand a band such as they have done here.

The show will be moved to another city & we hope those in Leipzig that were looking forward to seeing UADA, as well as the rest of this amazing line-up, will find us on better soil.

In closing we will say it’s quite ballsy & ironic for a German organization/venue to call this band (who hosts one of Jewish decent) Nazis. Maybe it is time they did their homework and took a long hard look in the mirror.

To echo MetalSucks, there does not appear to be any evidence that Uada’s members have any actual Nazi affiliations themselves, beyond the decision to appear alongside questionable bands on a festival, not distance themselves from the festival, and criticize the violent actions of certain Antifa members.

Stay tuned for further updates.