Australian fans of Swedish death metal band Hypocrisy have been left hanging after it was announced that the band would be pulling out of their first ever Australian tour. The band have made it clear that this was not to do with anything on their end, but rather the result of entering into business with a dodgy booking agent.
Sydney-based booking Agency Oceanic Sharks is feeling the full force of a pissed-off metal community after it was revealed that the company didn’t follow through with basic arrangements for an international tour. According to the band’s statement, posted through Nuclear Blast, the booker never even got as far as booking flights or even arranging working visas – which is Touring 101, as many bookers would agree.
Fans aren’t the only ones left seeing red, with the band stating, “It’s with a sad, angry and pissed mind that I’m trying to find words to write this. Oceanic Sharks Booking Agency Sydney – Australia hasn’t yet provided us with flights or working visas for this tour and we’re forced to leave next Monday, 14th Jan.”
It appears that this has been an ongoing issue, as the band continue to add, “We have asked time after time after time, and even put up a deadline to deliver, but he has failed to do so for 3 months now. It’s so close that it’s all too late now. We can’t even get into the country even if we had flight tickets, cause he didn’t fix working visas for us yet.”
This isn’t the first time that the company has been in hot water: the same booking agent left Warbringer stranded while on tour in Australia.
There has been no comment from Oceanic Sharks or its director, and it’s looking doubtful that there will ever be one. Word is that Oztix will be offering refunds, but that doesn’t change the fact that these patient fans have to wait even longer. Many of them have unleashed on the company’s Facebook page.
Fortunately, this hasn’t deterred Hypocrisy from coming down, with the band still hopeful that “a real booker from Australia will invite us soon so we can finally go to your country. Not really a good start of a new year. Hope to see you soon!”
Hypocrisy would have been touring in anticipation of their forthcoming studio effort End of Disclosure.
