AKERCOCKE i skuddet

 

 

Akercocke play Belfast tonight despite protests
Akercocke are playing Belfast tonight despite protests from Christian groups and a strong police presence at the Belfast show.
The impending release of UK death metal country gents Akercocke's latest album "Antichrist" caused so much uproar amongst Northern Ireland's religious community that the band appeared on BBC Northern Ireland on Wednesday night.
`Nolan Live' is BBC Northern Ireland's flagship topical affairs series.
It is presented by double Royal Television Society Award winner Stephen Nolan, who also hosts a daily radio show on BBC Radio Ulster and a weekend slot on BBC Five Live.
As the title suggests, the programme is a late-night 60 minute LIVE programme, transmitted on BBC Northern Ireland television from 2240-2340 on a Wednesday night (also available on digital television). It is totally interactive thereby allowing viewers to e-mail, text and call the show LIVE – they will also be able to pose questions to Stephen and the studio guests.
Audiences took advantage of the communication channels on Wednesday night to air a variety of views:

" How do they know the Antichrist likes that kind of music? … We don't dont need religion, religion has caused more harm than good … There's enough antichrists in Belfast … Stormont is full of weirdos like those 2. … Was that singer on the right bitten by the wolf … It They dont look evil. Just stupid. … Satan suckz God rulez … I say welcome the band here. They rule!! … Is 666 under their hair?
… How do you even know what they are saying?? … Who cares? Its what they believe. … The problem is the 2 in front of you.
Christians brain washers … Its only theatrics, catch a grip! …
The God Squad want to ban anything they don't agree with … Get Uri to bend their drum sticks. … For gods sake let them sing. At the end of the day people don't need music 2turn away from god … COME ON NI STAND UP AGAINST THIS EVIL INVASION. PROTECT OUR LAND. … That music is rubbish, it should be banned. … If your religions strong enough shouldn''t matter. its music, Peace! …"
The programme consistently tops the ratings in Northern Ireland, achieving massive viewing figures. The overtly satanic content contained within "Antichrist" and the bands previous albums specifically "Rape of the bastard Nazerene" has come under attack by religious forces, leading to the band's vocalist Jason Mendonca and drummer David Gray having a head- to-head live TV debate that aired on BBC1's ‘Nolan Live' show.
VIEW a clip of Wednesday night's show on Youtube and on the Nolan Website .

 

Akercocke 'Antichrist' album banned by US pressing plant
The forthcoming album from Akercocke, abruptly titled ‘Antichrist', has run into more controversy. The provocative nature of the record has already led to problems in Ireland, where the band will take part in a live discussion on the ‘Nolan Live' show on BBC1 Northern Ireland tonight at 10.45pm with members of the Irish Catholic clergy.
Now the album has run into problems in the US, where the pressing plant handling the production of the album, Disc USA, has refused to handle the record due its ‘anti-Christian' perspective. Commenting on the decision, Akercocke frontman Jason Mendonca stated:
"I rather perturbed that in this day and age, the 21st Century, people are so uptight. Whatever happened to freedom of speech and freedom of expression in the alleged democracy of the USA? Censorship is always ugly no matter how you view it. It smacks of fascism to me. What other works of art are barred to the good people of America?
The attitude of the printers is typical of the brainwashed. Judging something (literally) by its cover.
Anyone who took the time to look into our history would recognise that we have always stated we are anything but anti-christian. It's divisive attitudes such as this that bring about conflict. Conflict through ignorance."
Akercocke's ‘Antichrist' is currently set for May 28 release in UK/Europe, with an American release due on July 17.

 

Akercocke's Antichrist sparks religious debate on BBC TV
The upcoming release of UK death metal giants Akercocke's latest album 'Antichrist' has caused uproar amongst Northern Ireland's religious community, and is set to be the subject of a major religious debate live on BBC1 Northern Ireland tonight.
A The overtly satanic content contained within 'Antichrist' has come under attack by religious forces, leading to the band's vocalist Jason Mendonca facing a head- to-head live TV debate that will air on BBC1's 'Nolan Live' show. The debate will be broadcast live via satellite link at 10.45pm on BBC Northern Ireland following Akercocke's gig on May 16th at Nottingham's Rock City. This meeting of minds is sure to stir waves of controversy ahead of their show in Belfast on May 18th and Dublin on May 19th, and with the 'Antichrist' misson statement in full force, Akercocke are sure to voice their closely held satanic beliefs.
To find out more about 'Antichrist' and to listen exclusively to the track 'Summon The Antichrist' that has ignited this controversy, head over to www.myspace.com/akercockeantichrist .
'Antichrist' is released in the UK on Earache Records on Monday May 28th (UK) and July 17th (USA) Stephen Nolan's show can be viewed online at www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/nolan/