New Zealand Black and Death Metal Drummer Charged with Church Fires

It’s 2019. The original heavy metal church burners came and went so long ago that there’s a (largely unflattering) biopic about them. And yet, somehow, this dude exists.

Jacob Lowenstein, the 28-year-old drummer for the band Igni (formerly of Oblivion Dawn and Secularity), has been charged with setting two Mormon churches on fire, The New Zealand Herald reports:

“Two churches – one in Christchurch and one on the West Coast – were damaged by fire last month.

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Upper Riccarton suffered damage to a building used as a study centre around 2am on March 11.

“Two days later, firefighters had to battle a major blaze at a Greymouth church.”

Lowenstein appeared in court on Tuesday, April 2, and was scheduled to appear again on Wednesday, April 3… which is when I’m writing this in America… but it’s already early morning Thursday in New Zealand, so… divide by three… carry the one… I dunno I think there shoulda been an update by now but there hasn’t been. Let’s just assume Lowenstein’s second court appearance wasn’t any more pleasant for him than his first.

Which is how it should be. I don’t know what Lowenstein’s motivation was, and I don’t care to speculate right now. But he’s an asshole, and he brings deep shame to all of metaldom to boot. Nitwit.

Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly cited Lowenstein as a member of Oblivion Dawn and Secularity. He has not been a member of either band for over a year). 

[via Kerrang!]