Iced Earth, Insomnium, U.D.O., and Omnium Gatherum Release Statements About John Finberg

Another spate of bands have either fired or released statements speaking out against metal booking agent John Finberg.

On Monday (September 28), MetalSucks ran an investigative report detailing numerous allegations against Finberg, including ones of sexual misconduct, bullying, racism, questionable business practices, and violent physical threats.

The fallout from that report has been tremendous. By Tuesday, Nightwish, Amorphis, Delain, Battle Beast, Amaranthe, and Swallow the Sun had all announced they were parting ways with Finberg and his company, First Row Talent, while Sonata Arctica revealed that they ceased working with Finberg last winter. By Wednesday, those bands were joined by Hammerfall, Angra and PowerGlove. Additionally, Epica, who fired Finberg in 2014, expressed solidarity.

The latest round of bands to either severe ties with Finberg or join the ever-growing chorus of bands and fans to speak out about the booking agent on social media includes Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum, Iced Earth, and U.D.O. You can read their respective statements below.

Meanwhile, several of Finberg’s biggest clients, such as Overkill and Kamelot, have remained silent on the matter.

Insomnium:

“This is something that we also have to say loud and clear:
We do not tolerate any form of harassment, sexism or bullying.

“John Finberg / First Row Talent does not anymore represent INSOMNIUM in North America or any other territory.”

Omnium Gatherum:

“Due to recent events and allegations – John Finberg / First Row Talent doesn’t anymore represent Omnium Gatherum in North America.

“Omnium Gatherum doesn’t support any kind of sexism, racism, nor bullying!

“the OG’s”

Iced Earth’s Jon Schaffer:

“It seems there was some confusion the last few days about First Row Talent representing Iced Earth. To be clear, John Finberg never was an agent for Iced Earth. I met him many years ago and had zero interest in working with him. It was very clear to me the kind of person he is, and his reputation is one of the worst in the business. He was the booking agent for several bands that we have toured with through the years, and a shady ex-manager of Iced Earth hired his company to do meet and greets for a tour several years ago. When I found out well into the tour that his company was running the meet and greets, I had angry words with said former manager. The music business is filled with these scumbags. Good riddance. -JS”

U.D.O.:

“In the past Dirkschneider and U.D.O. have worked with John Finberg but stopped all cooperation after we realized his character. We are shocked how disgusting the situation looks right now but also glad some people had the balls to go public. For us he is history since a long time but there is no way back to work with him ever again.

“Furthermore we stay united against each kind of intolerance
such as sexism, racism etc.

“There is no place for this in metal and no place for this on this planet.

“We would like to encourage everyone to speak up and fight these disgusting behaviours everywhere!”

[via Metal Insider]