Death metal legends MASTER, who were scheduled to kick off their long-anticipated U.S. headlining tour earlier this week with support from Lightning Swords Of Death and Mobile Deathcamp, were denied entry into the country and forced to return to the Czech Republic.
Said MASTER mainman Paul Speckmann in a statement: “We arrived Tuesday morning in Holland and after intense questioning we proceeded to the eye and body scan machine. Along with the other passengers, we proceeded to the plane. We arrived in Detroit and went to passport control. I waited for about two hours for any word on the guys. The police came to explain that the visa waiver program didn’t apply to musicians. So they sent me to customs and proceeded to tear apart everything and sent me on my way. I waited for six hours to get on another airplane and return to Europe. Thankfully the lady at the Delta checkout counter was very helpful and confirmed that the guys would be on the next plane in the evening and I could return with them. The guys were escorted to the plane by four police officers and returned their passports when we arrived in Amsterdam. Since when are musicians and terrorists in the same category? Again I apologize to all the bands, organizers and fans of course. I guess the CD cover of the Human Machine CD has become a reality!”
Due to the financial loss, MASTER U.S. tour merch, a CD/T-shirt combo is being sold domestically for $20.00 US/$30 Europe via PayPal (agnosticzac@gmail.com).
http://www.myspace.com/masterspeckmann
http://www.myspace.com/pulverisedrecords