THE HUMAN ABSTRACT Frontman Explains Canadian Concert Cancellations

November 18, 2008

Los Angeles-based technical progressive metal band THE HUMAN ABSTRACT was forced to pull out of its two Canadian concerts with Japan's DIR EN GREY this past weekend (November 15 in Montreal and November 16 in Toronto) after the group's vocalist Nathan Ells was denied entry to Canada.

In a posting to THE HUMAN ABSTRACT's official MySpace blog, Ells writes, "In case any of you were wondering what happened at the Canadian border this time around, I figured I'd post my side of the story.

"Because of my pending LSD and indecent exposure trial in Los Angeles, I was denied entry into Canada. They love keeping ruffians like myself out of lovely Canada at the border.

"I've definitely had trouble before.

"After initially being turned down, I fell asleep in our tour van, thinking we were on our way to Detroit to stay with friends for a few days before rejoining the tour after the Canadian dates. I awoke to my band attempting a second crossing at another port of entry. After checking our passports, I was then promptly arrested by Canadian border guards and accused of being an American refugee. It was around this time that I realized I might be having one of the weirdest lives ever.

"So with my shiny new international criminal status in tow, Canada, I salute you for yet another interesting experience at trying to show up and perform a rock show for you."

"Midheaven", the sophomore full-length CD from THE HUMAN ABSTRACT, was released on August 19 via Hopeless Records. The CD "follows a full cycle of man while he makes his ascent and discoveries and is eventually brought down by his lust of conquest and greed," says Ells. "Basically we wanted to have this album be cohesive all the way through. We came up with themes for each song and then wrote the songs like we were doing a film score and try to capture the mood musically for what each theme represents."

Although the initial sessions for "Midheaven" were helmed by veteran producer Toby Wright (METALLICA, SLAYER, ALICE IN CHAINS, SOULFLY, FEAR FACTORY),the CD was completed with a different producer and Wright's name was "wiped off all credits," according to drummer Brett Powell.

"Procession of the Fates", the new video from THE HUMAN ABSTRACT, can be viewed below.

THE HUMAN ABSTRACT's Hopeless Records debut, "Nocturne", was released in August 2006.

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