Welcome to THTH, Forte’s premier source of all things heavy, hard, fast and metal. Whilst this Ne Obliviscaris (NeO) news may be a couple of months old, it somehow managed to fly under my radar. In late January, the band let go of their bassist Brendan Brown due to allegations of domestic violence. In the band’s Facebook post, they stated they were advised not to disclose details publicly until Brendan to put out a statement. But whilst waiting for Brendan’s statement a “smear campaign against the band” had commenced where people came out and just claimed, online, that they, uh, you know, know of other allegations of domestic violence against Brendan. So the band “allegedly” (my emphasis) investigated the claims and let Brendan go.
Brendan released a lengthy statement where he rejects the recent allegations of domestic violence but sheds light on an incident from 2010 (which the band knew about) and what lead to it – he says that as a child he was sexually abused by his mother and other members of the family. He goes to on state “after enduring over a decade of severe abuse I finally stood up for myself and during an altercation with my mother, I attacked her back by knocking her to the ground… I attended court for recklessly causing injury and pleaded guilty… I was not convicted.”
Brendan’s statement goes on about how much NeO has meant to him over the past 13 years and how much it has helped him with his issues. But, NeO, the newly crowned king of snowflake bands, the same NeO who want you to pay their wages, as opposed to, you know, giving your money to starving children and NeO getting proper adult, grown up jobs, are the same NeO who are quite happy to listen to anyone throw allegations around against their bassist which then leads to him being let go.
This clearly is an individual who needs as much support not only from the community but also his peers and band mates but instead, this band would like to take the easy way and just drop a man in so much need and pain, so NeO can keep on with their sterling reputation as a stingy, beggar band. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the motivations for letting their bassist go was so there’s less people to share the donations around. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if the dude that keeps attempting to scab cigarettes off me in the city is a current member of NeO.
In other news
Flaming Wrekage will be at Melbourne’s Bendigo Hotel to launch their From Flesh To Dust album on Friday April 7.
Trial will release their new album Motherless on Friday April 7.
Abramelin with special guests Denouncement Pyre, Belligerent Intent and Sewercide will play the Northcote Social Club on Saturday April 15. This show is sold-out but keep your eyes peeled in case more shows are announced.
Desecrator will play The Eastern in Ballarat on Thursday April 27, and The Barwon Club on Friday April 28.
Ayreon will release their new album The Source on Friday April 28.
Toe To Toe will release their new album Rise Up on Friday April 28.
If you have any news about local metal bands, shows or albums, let THTH know by emailing to [email protected] or get in touch via Twitter at @TooHeavyToHug
Paul S Taylor
