The forthcoming album from Akercocke, abruptly titled "Antichrist", has run into
more controversy. The provocative nature of the record has already led to
problems in Ireland, where the band will take part in a live discussion on the
"Nolan Live" show on BBC1 Northern Ireland next Wednesday at 10.45pm with
members of the Irish Catholic clergy.
Now the album has run into problems in the US, where the pressing plant handling
the production of the album, Disc USA, has refused to handle the record due its
"anti-Christian" perspective.
Commenting on the decision, Akercocke frontman Jason Mendonca stated:
"I
rather perturbed that in this day and age, the 21st Century, people are so
uptight. Whatever happened to freedom of speech and freedom of expression in
the alleged democracy of the USA? Censorship is always ugly no matter how you
view it. It smacks of fascism to me".
"What other works of art are barred
to the good people of America? The attitude of the printers is typical of the
brainwashed. Judging something (literally) by its cover. Anyone who took the
time to look into our history would recognise that we have always stated we are
anything but anti-christian. It's divisive attitudes such as this that bring
about conflict. Conflict through ignorance".
Akercocke's "Antichrist" is
currently set for May 28 release in UK/Europe, with an American release due on
July 17.
