An Open Letter from Rockstar Mayhem Festival John Reese Regarding the 2015 Tour Controversy

We just got an e-mail with this letter from Mayhem’s publicity team. I’m just gonna reprint it in its entirety below with none of the usual MS commentary, ’cause a) we’ve said our piece fifteen times already, and b) Reese has earned it. You can discuss how you feel about the letter in the comments section.

(Okay, one snarky comment: Reese really loves exclamation points!)

Here’s the letter:

Dear Fans of Heavy Music and Metal Bands Everywhere,

WE ARE ONE COMMUNITY. IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE ALL UNITE NOT DIVIDE! Without each other’s support the only thing that suffers is Metal as a genre!

In the midst of our most challenging year in 8 years of producing the festival, my partner Kevin Lyman made some comments that he has subsequently apologized for.  Kevin is an honorable man and has given everything he has to the presentation of music and expanding the profile of countless artists!  I am proud of our partnership and our results throughout the years!  We have always tried to deliver a platform for artists to expand their fan base and the genre as a whole!

In saying this, various people involved with the 2015 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival and some from the metal community have understandably made some divisive comments regarding the event.  The event has suffered as a result of these many comments.  What’s done is done but I am here to say that heavy metal music is alive and well!   I shouldn’t have to remind everyone that we as a culture have faced ostracism from the mainstream for decades and we should not let over-sensationalized media hype separate us!  I think we are ALL tired of all of the bullshit.  I KNOW I AM! 

Let’s move the conversation forward supporting each other not dividing.  

Thank you to Slayer, King Diamond, Hellyeah, TDWP and every single one of the incredibly talented bands that have performed this year on Mayhem! 

I would also just like to add a few other choice things for any media conspiracy headlines:

“Can’t we all just get along!” – Rodney King 1994

Marilyn Manson did NOT cause Columbine!

Obama is not the Antichrist!! And he ain’t taking our guns!

Justin Bieber….. uhhhh… no comment! 

Heavy metal does not cure cancer, but it is good to fuck to. 

Hopefully I will see many of you at Knotfest 2015!

– John Reese