DESTRUCTION Hit Back At Greek Promoter: This Motherfucker Is History

German thrashers DESTRUCTION have hit back at a Greek promoter over his claims that the group's previously announced two shows in Greece were cancelled due to the band's "excessive demands."

An initial statement issued by DESTRUCTION's booking agency, A.S.S./Dragon Productions, had blamed the cancellation of the concerts — which were scheduled to take place January 8-9, 2005 — on a "lack of communication between promoter and agency. . . The promoter wanted to cancel [projected openers] EVERGREY without giving a reason, he didn't come back to us on urgent details like flights for example. This and more forces us to lay down this sad decision. Both bands will come back to Greece at a later point in time. The bands apologize for this uncomfortable situation and will surley return to Greece next year!"

Responding to the above statement, Greece's "premier concert promotion agency" Astra Productions issued the following press release:

"Astra, the promoter of the cancelled show of DESTRUCTION, which had been scheduled to take place at Gagarin Live Music Space, in Athens, Greece, on Sunday, 9th of January, 2005, would like to inform the public, as well as all parties involved, that the show has been cancelled due to sudden, excessive demands made by the group, which weren't included in the initial agreement. Therefore, the promoter had no other choice but to cancel the show."

In their latest missive, A.S.S./Dragon Productions slammed the promoters for their "lies," claiming that Astra didn't manage to sort out flights, travels, fees and other important parts of the contract in time to make the shows happen.

"If Astra won't change their statement, this will be a business knockout for them," Jörg Düsedau, one of Europe's "highly regarded" booking agents stated.

Added DESTRUCTION bassist Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer: "DESTRUCTION wanted to play these shows badly and are upset and disappointed about the unprofessional behaviour of this Greek 'wanna-be' promoter! The Greek metal fans are one of the most loyal and crazy old-school metal audiences! They know we fuckin' love them and that we would never ever cancel shows without any 'heavy' reason! Greece is THE 'mecca' of European thrash!

"He didn't cancel. We were forced to cancel because of his chaotic organisation! Or did he want us to swim to Greece and play an acoustic show with no fuckin' fee? This motherfucker as a promoter is history! He's finished!

"We will come back in autumn, with a brand new ass-kicking album and a REAL professional agent, as we did in the past. We will compensate for this inconveniance to our faithful Greek fans with a huge performance! That's a matter of honor!!!"