TAAKE Frontman Refuses To Apologize For 'Raping' Essen

TAAKE frontman Hoest (photo#1, photo#2, photo#3),who found himself at the center of controversy last month after he appeared on stage in Essen, Germany with a swastika symbol drawn on his chest, has slammed his critics for engaging in a "pathetic Internet debate" over the incident. In a posting on the band's official web site, Hoest writes, "My final words on this matter: My previous statement clearly states that I apologize ONLY to our COLLABORATORS who might get problems because of the scandal. This means that I take full responsibility and should receive all 'problems' myself. But what problems did I get? We raped Essen on one of the first days of the tour and the word spread within minutes. For the rest of the tour I was such an easy target for verbal or physical abuse on stage, walking around the venues, in the streets, etc. but I didn't receive ANY confrontation. So keep your pathetic Internet debate going, but don't think for one second that I take any of you seriously. Furthermore, I never did anything to make TAAKE a 'big' band. I was hoping to lose some fans with the 'Nekro' EP, so now I certainly expect to get rid of some more. That being said, I do appreciate the support of the people out there who truly understand TAAKE."

According to an article published in the March 26 edition of the Norwegian newspaper Bergens Tidende, TAAKE's record label, Dark Essence Records, has indicated that it may terminate its relationship with the band as a result of TAAKE's behavior at the Essen concert.

TAAKE's third album, "Doedskvad", was released in 2005 via Dark Essence Records. The band had previously released two albums on the Wounded Love label: "Nattestid..." (1999) and "Bjoergvin" (2002). "Doedskvad" is the last installment in this trilogy.