Anselmo suggests Down should ‘move on’ without him
Former PANTERA frontman Phil Anselmo has suggested that his DOWN bandmates “move on” without him, according to a newly-posted apology.
Phil Anselmo has apologised again for the outburst at last month’s Dimebash, which shocked the metal world. The frontman appeared to perform a Nazi salute on-stage before shouting “white power“. This would later be defended as an inside joke, before Anselmo was forced to make a video apologising for his actions.
This week, however, DOWN were removed from the lineup of FortaRock festival in the Netherlands. Organisers claimed he was “not welcome” at the event anymore.
This prompted a further written apology from Anselmo, which was posted on his official website this morning.
Anselmo’s apology can be read in full below:
Every citizen in this entire world has the unalienable right to live with dignity and respect without hate or oppression. And I mean this, with all of my crushed, yet, guilty heart.
It’s common knowledge that we can choose to either learn from our mistakes, or continue on a path of insensitivity and destruction.
I am utterly responsible for the mistakes I have made, and can only give you my word to no longer do them in the present, through ACTION, not just mere words.
My band mates are now experiencing the consequences of my behavior, and I now publicly apologize to them as well. Never in my entire lifetime would I drag them down with me, and I’ve privately suggested to them that they move on without me.
My biggest obstacle(s) are the over-indulging in the booze and blurting out spiteful, ignorant reductions of the human spirit itself. I will address these issues, head-on.
I’m repulsed by my own actions, and the self-loathing I’m going through right now is justified by the hurt I’ve caused.
I realize we live in a society where apologies are NOT accepted easily, yet long for a day when they can be, but I also understand if I’m shunned till I hit the dirt.
From the bottom of my heart, and with all sincerity, I once again am truly sorry for the pain I have caused.
With truth, love, hope & respect-
Philip H. Anselmo
