Andy Cizek, vocalist for British progressive metal band Monuments, recently lamented the current state of heavy metal culture and the challenges faced by the majority of artists in the scene. To say times have been tough for most musicians would be an understatement, with the live entertainment industry having ground to a halt amid the pandemic.
Upon reopening, a glut of tours led to an ongoing shortage of suitable transportation to comfortably hit the road. There’s also been a drain on live professionals, with a considerable portion having stuck with the other jobs and careers they resorted to during the lockdown.
Compounding the problem, some venues who suffered during the downtime took to raising merch cuts as a way to recoup on their own losses, further straining the already stressed budgets of touring artists.
Meanwhile, the ongoing effects of inflation and the energy crisis playing out—particularly across Europe—has seen countless tours scrapped or rescheduled until a time when they can be financially feasible.
Opening up yesterday (January 16th) on that and the disturbing allegations and charges that have been laid against musicians, presumably amid the MeToo movement and more, Cizek offered:
being in a band feels pretty stupid now. the culture is embarrassing and nothing about it is cool anymore. make almost no money and half my old heroes are disgraced perverts. I’ve worked my whole life for this and all I feel is ashamed, broken down and obsolete. barely hanging on
— Andy Cizek (@andycizek) January 17, 2023
I’ll be fine. I still appreciate everyone who supports. I’ll keep making music. it is what it is.
— Andy Cizek (@andycizek) January 17, 2023
Many fellow artists responded directly to Cizek offering their encouragement and support. Among some of them were Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta, Stick To Your Guns drummer Craig Reynolds, Candy Hearts singer/guitarist Mariel Loveland, Enter Shikari vocalist Rou Reynolds and more. You can see some of their replies below:
I don’t know you but hang in there man, it’s always darkest before the dawn.
— Jamey Jasta (@jameyjasta) January 17, 2023
call me petty but i checked out the band of every single person who QTd this negatively and rest assured none of them are going to get to the level to be able to feel like this lmao
— craig reynolds (unofficial) (@reynlord) January 17, 2023
Nobody talks about this. Thank you ??
— Best Ex (Mariel Loveland) (@CandyHeartsBand) January 17, 2023
anyways big up, love to all you boys ???
— ??? ????? (@RouReynolds) January 17, 2023
Big part of why I went down the job/career path. It's connected to music, but it allows me to decouple what I truly love from the need to survive. Which has been the healthiest thing for me lately. Sorry to hear all this though. You're a raw talent. Shouldn't be this way!
— Paul Antonio Ortiz (@chimpspanner) January 17, 2023
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