Adam Warren Quits Oceano Following Backlash To Controversial Attila/Dealer Tour: "Shame On All Of You Who Tried To Make Me The Scapegoat"

This week saw Oceano vocalist Adam Warren come under fire for his band accepting the direct support spot on next year’s ‘America’s Rejects Tour‘. That trek was set to find his deathcore band out alongside Attila, Dealer and Nathan James.

Fans took issue with Oceano joining the bill, given the controversial past of members of Attila and Dealer. While Attila vocalist Chris Fronzak denied sexual misconduct allegations that were made against him back in 2020, his bandmate in drummer Bryan McClure was fired following allegations of rape and sexual misconduct of his own that same year.

Dealer vocalist Aidan Ellaz Holmes has had a checkered past as well, parting ways with Alpha Wolf back in February of 2018 in light of allegations of sexual assault and misconduct being lodged against him. While charges were said to have been filed, it’s been reported that they were later dropped due to a lack of evidence.

Holmes later found himself at the center of another controversy, when Dealer‘s lineup imploded after Holmes was accused of abuse by his bandmates. Holmes has rebuilt Dealer’s lineup several times since that mass exodus.

The announcement of the aforementioned tour earlier this week proved controversial with bands as well, as Alpha Wolf bassist/vocalist John Arnold seemingly labeled it the ‘rapist abuser tour‘, implying that those involved would feel repercussions in the industry.

That trek also drew the ire of Fit For A King bassist/vocalist Ryan “Tuck” O’Leary who stated via social media, “I wonder if Dealer will participate in Fronz’s only fans? Might be too consensual for Aidan.”

Earlier today, November 20th, Warren addressed the controversy head-on on X, explaining his stance on why he accepted the tour, and indicating that he wasn’t involved with any of the wrongdoing. He further stated that should he observe any unsavory behavior, he would be the first to call it out. However, his explanations didn’t sit well with some, as fans on social media accused him of putting money before morals, among other claims.

In a follow-up statement issued across several posts on social media tonight, Warren announced that he was unaware of the extent of the allegations regarding his planned tourmates. He also indicated that no one in his circle apprised him of the history of the aforementioned bands ahead of time either.

Furthermore, he stated that Oceano have now dropped off the bill and that they will be planning their final shows for the new year, as he will be quitting the group. Warren‘s statement reads:

“Believe it or not some people don’t spend their life on the internet. My only goal has been to take opportunities to push Oceano forward since the fans said they wanted it. You will not make me out to be a bad person for things I am Not connected to when it comes to what other bands members do.

There was a time in my life when I was in a social media high horse, and I don’t agree with that nor plan to act like I am better than anyone nor that I know the details to anyone else’s business. I wasn’t aware of the depth of accusations with Attila and associates. I remind you, Oceano was not active for a long time before now.

I don’t even know anything about Dealer besides the bands name I’ve heard when they first came out years ago?. Didn’t they break up? I did not even know what any other bands on the tour would be beyond Atilla until long after we agreed and no one in my circle cited any issues with our decision to take the tour.

I think that before judging the innocent band just taking what seemed like a decent opportunity and has never been associated with these bands before, you should look towards the Agents, Managers, Venues, Websites, Festivals that all continue to support, book, and clearly downplay to their own clients the character of people their (good) bands work with.

If you continue to read, keep asking yourself WHAT words have I said that are harmful? No one knew my circumstances nor my perspective until this moment. And I will stress, I don’t support any type of abuse or harm to anyone ever. But I’m not paying attention to what YOU all or anyone in the music scene personally does on the internet. I don’t have time for that.

So it is clear I was not informed enough to make a proper decision to tour with this package. I’ve never experienced bands causing such a stir and I was not made aware until announcing the tour of people with such serious allegations surrounding them being on a tour I’m going to be on. I encourage anyone who is directly affected by those people/bands to contact the authorities/police and take legal action.

I have been nothing but kind and positive within this music scene especially on that internet side and that can be hard sometimes. A year ago We almost ended Oceano for good. We had an Album to drop but we def were done. I had ZERO idea my name is being tossed around along side fucking people who have people accusing them of horrible things. And getting upset with ME, because I’m just hearing about it? In real time people swarmed me while I was still figuring out what was going on.

Y’all are vicious and clearly seek chaos without care of who it effects. Thought I have been blessed with much opportunity, as we enter a more connected era I have felt very disrespected over the years from a scene that really is more a facade than a real concept in reality.
After gathering my own information on the subject OF COURSE we will be removing Oceano from the tour.

But shame on all of you who tried to make me the scapegoat. What are YOU doing to change this culture besides point fingers and reshare rumors? It’s time to get to work. I had zero idea the environment I was getting myself into. And I’m talking openly about it. What are YOU doing to change this?

As of today it is clear I am WAY more surrounded by complicit industry people, a Metal “scene” riddled with cosplay, worship of band members and less focus on artistic integrity.

I don’t want to exist to YOU anymore. As of today I quit Oceano and will focus on being a solo Independent Artist (Adam On Earth). Oceano’s final shows will now begin being planned for 2025. It feels good to finally say that.”

Two further responses to posts on X saw Warren elaborate some more on his decision. Replying to a user who stated, “It really sucks you guys are hanging it up over criticism for taking a tour opportunity”, Warren responded:

“It’s not really about that for me being done with Oceano. Read the whole thing and be attentive to detail if ur gonna chime in on its that’s all I ask cuz people don’t seem to be good at reading retention on here:

It’s been a long time coming. Notice how we didnt tout at all for 2 years… I’ve even said on stage this band won’t last forever. THIS experience just really made me ready to be done SOONER than I first planned. My team doesn’t even know yet. But after today I’m fully tired of the industry and the complicit people connected to it. Why would I stay in the larger industry when there’s so many fucked up people lurking around? I’m exposing it with my platform. Rn. And the best way to do that is to ALSO not have anything to lose if ur gonna. Time for me to go Indy and write solo music and play shows with my friends locally again. I miss that most.”

Another user on X told Warren, “maybe it wouldve been a good idea to look into who you are going on tour with if you dont want to receive backlash when its announced, whether you spend all your time on the internet or not, you should be aware of the potential risk you could have been bringing to your fans”

Warren responded directly:

“Ma’am coulda shoulda wouldas don’t suffice. That just wasn’t my reality. I didn’t do shit to anyone. But fyi The band ending thing is my call in protest to the scene being riddled with fucking creeps. I’m exiting the music industry and becoming an independent artists we can have deeper convo on the shady side of the music scene and actually change something with out industry folk trying to manipulate thru my bands career. What YOU doing besides acting like u know everything?”

Additional exchanges included an X user telling Warren, “why bother? you must accept that unfortunately your band made a bad decision touring with that harmful fellas. thats not how it works, you should know every detail before starting something big” Warren replied:

“Do you know every detail of now a plane works before you fly? Dude honest mistake and few bands do full ass investigations on band members. If they did do YOU think these problematic bands would continue?… any way I’m not involved. I’m not in the scene anymore. Go give a pep talk to the abusers.”

When another user stated, “Literally could’ve just dropped out of the tour. Dude is just mad people called him out on his bullshit.” Warren responded:

“By leaving my band that HAS been active for many years I’m Boycotting the flashy side of the metal scene and industry to be an Indy artist because it’s clearly hiding info and people that are not good people and are in it for reasons I don’t agree with. These bad actors who work within it. Deeper than even people think and I’m seeing the circles are far more wide than I ever knew. These things exist in other industries too. It would be complicit of me to continue working around it and not speak on it openly upon my change in direction.”

A different user said to Warren, “I don’t think one can weed out the bad actors. Has always been a thing in the music industry, sadly. Ppl just wanted you to be informed even if they worded it poorly. Latest Oceano album is a banger. The band being against it is a positive light. I wouldn’t end it for that imo” Warren offered:

“People were mean, rude, and disrespectful. I can only imagine if in person. I don’t want to be associated with metal fans who shoot first and ask questions later. Esp as a black man. Not a safe environment for me. You guys have those other vocalist to keep sucking off. Yall won’t miss Oceano one bit. Cut the cap and enjoy your W. I’m on to my solo stuff haha. And I’m stoked.”