It would appear that the birthing process of City Of Fire‘s fan-funded sophomore album “Trial Through Fire” turned ugly as a result of issues with the bands frontman Burton C Bell (also of Fear Factory). The outfit originally launched a crowdfunding campaign for the effort back in the summer of 2011. However, due to alleged issues with Bell, it only just now managed to see a release, arriving earlier this month.
In the weeks leading up to the albums release a number of allegations were leveled at Bell in regards to the delay of the album. In fact, postings made by the bands manager Rose Slanic were rather blunt in placing the blame. You can check out her original post here with some excerpts from it and her resulting replies available below:
“…it was my fault for trusting someone I have known for 15 years and thought I could trust him about anything. I realized too late that I couldn’t trust him as he seems to lie constantly. He lies to himself as well, not just me and everyone else he knows. He owed me for this web site too…only when I put up the quotes of “honesty” did he feel like paying me off for that. I accepted the lost over all as I am somewhat at fault.
Mostly for trusting a friend I adored, and not having the proper paper work in place (I couldn’t because there was legal problems with another investor they had on the first record). I also can’t put this album out on my own as Burt won’t sign paper work, and my label is distributed through a major, so I can’t afford to get them in trouble by Burt either.
So at the end of it all, I will continue to work 7 days a week for about 5 more years to pay it off, but all it is is a hard lesson learned. I love Bob, Byron and Terry. They are amazing and wonderful people and made a great album. This is their band. Not Burtons“
“…After Burton fucked me for over 30K and delayed this project himself – not answering emails, phone message, or getting the paper work done – there is no one else to blame. I wouldn’t put another penny into this because I am already in debt for it. Considered all other ways out of it as well. I am doing my best to keep you updated and inform you as I feel the fan base still needs to be updated. Do you see anyone else doing it? Burt is the only person holding up everything.”
