Manowar Announce Replacement for Guitarist Arrested on Child Pornography Charges
Manowar guitarist Karl Logan was arrested on charges of child pornography possession in August of last year. Once word got out in October the band let Logan go, prompting fans to wonder who would take his place on Manowar’s upcoming farewell tour dates, including one at Hellfest.
The band has now announced that guitarist E.V. Martel will take Logan’s place effectively immediately. A statement on Manowar’s Facebook page touts Martel as having played in “the only official Manowar tribute band in the world,” which is laughable on a number of levels: not only do Manowar have a history of taking legal action against tribute bands, but they had no issue hiring a drummer from a different one for this very same tour. What in the actual fuck?
Here’s the relevant section of the statement:
“Guitarist E.V. Martel Will Join Manowar On The Final Battle World Tour 2019
“E.V. Martel will be the guitarist on Manowar’s upcoming Final Battle World Tour 2019.
“A musician since the age of 8 and devoted Manowar fan, E.V. lives the life of true metal and the music of Manowar. He has performed for years in the only official Manowar tribute band in the world. E.V. is proud to know every Manowar song ever recorded, and his style is a mix of all previous Manowar guitarists combined with his own metallic burning.
“’I can think of no one more deserving to play with Manowar than a fan themselves; one who has dedicated their entire life to our fans and our music and who he has proven to be a true Manowarrior!’ said Joey DeMaio.
“’I am honored beyond words to play for the greatest fans in the world!’ said E.V. ‘I live by Manowar’s message every day of my life: Believe in yourself and even your wildest dreams can come true!’”
WCCB Charlotte obtained the arrest warrants for Logan, which reveal that “Logan was in possession of several videos which depicted girls between the ages of four and 12-years-old engaged in a variety of sexual acts with unidentified men. Each video is described in graphic detail, including one scene where a girl age 10-12 ‘chokes and becomes visibly upset.’”
The incidents for which Logan is being charged took place between June 18th and August 2nd of this year. He has been charged with third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, which is defined by local laws as when a person, “knowing the character or content of the material, possesses material that contains a visual representation of a minor engaging in sexual activity.”
Logan, who is 53 years old, joined Manowar in 1994. He was arrested at his home near Charlotte, NC, and is being tried in Mecklenburg County. He was released on $35,000 bail.
