TAAKE Vs. KREATOR

TAAKE frontman Hoest — whose "revealing" performance (photo#1, photo#2, photo#3) at the 2003 Inferno Festival in Norway remains the source of much comedy — has issued the following update:

"TAAKE will not be performing at the Karmøygeddon festival [set to take place April 25-26, 2008 at Byscenen in Haugesund, Norway] after all due to ruthless pressure put on the organizer from, among others, none other than KREATOR.

"Let it be said that this does not hurt TAAKE, as we are not at all doing this for the money. But it certainly hurts innocent parties like the promoter (who is now out of time to find a replacement and loses a lot of money),as well as our fans who bought expensive tickets to see us.

"I find it very regrettable that all you people are caught in the crossfire of this ridiculously unnecessary situation!

"Anyway, this reaction is obviously because of the swastika episode in KREATOR's hometown Essen during last year's TAAKE tour. [During TAAKE's March 20, 2007 concert in Essen, Germany, Hoest appeared on stage with a swastika symbol drawn on his chest (photo) — a move which didn't go over well with most of the fans and members of the heavy metal media who were present at the gig.]

"I've clearly stated that TAAKE IS CERTAINLY NOT A POLITICAL NAZI-BAND, yet some people seem to still insist that we are. It is not the first time such a situation has occured either; several German festival organizers had to give in to similar pressure last year, disappointing hundreds of people eager to watch us perform and cheating them out of their money. But doing this to a Norwegian band about to play at a Norwegian festival is way out of line.

"I do realize that it is rather unforgivable to display a swastika in Germany, yes. On the other hand I strongly feel that black metal bands should allow themselves to use ANY kind of destructive/negative symbolism, as the basis of this expression is above all: EVIL (!). Black metal is still not, and should never become, harmless like all other styles of housebroke metal.

"Frankly, I find it prepostrous that we get away with lyrics about murder, torture, rape, necrophilia and suicide, but get boycotted for wearing a symbol (which, by the way, has nothing to do with the band`s concept) on ONE single occasion.

"A part of our mission is to invoke negative feelings, so I found it quite appropriate to remind our German audience of their biggest shame. Some understood it and handled it well, whilst others overreacted far beyond expectance.

"It is embarassing to have to point out these things over and over again, but as usual humanity proves to be ignorant. We feel misunderstood.

"So, Guardians of Morality, feel very free to keep up your pathetic boycott, we don't mind being hated. But your extortion only affects innocent parties and you should be ashamed of yourselves!

"The behaviour of our self-proclaimed enemies is more similar to nazism than anything we've ever done."

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.

Watch fan-filmed video footage of TAAKE performing at Biebob in Vosselaar, Belgium in March 2007:

(Thanks: Heavymetal.no)