It looks as if Uada and Latin America don't blend well together. The Portland-based band that has been nominated in the Drama Of The Year category of our 2019 Metal Storm Awards for "battling against the elements" in Mexico, has now canceled their appearances on the Black Moon Shows Festival in El Salvador and Guatemala. The reason given by Uada is that their drummer quit just hours before these shows and the other members were informed of his decision via Facebook.

To take the story from the beginning, drummer Josiah Babcock posted the following on Facebook: "This is really tough for me to write. I've decided to part ways with Uada. It's not a decision I take lightly, seeing as I've put a lot of time and effort into this band. I've dedicated myself to this craft, and I feel very grateful to have been able to perform in front of fans all around the world and meet some great people along the way.

"Unfortunately, not everyone in this band has appreciated my contributions to the group, and recently I was threatened with being fired over a minor inconvenience. I was taken aback by how quickly and unnecessarily the situation was escalated to that degree, and since then, this matter has weighed heavily on my heart. I love performing these songs, but I cannot do so at the expense of being taken for granted as a band member and treated unprofessionally. I have to stand up for myself. And thus, I've decided it's in my best interest to move on.

"I'm sorry to all the fans affected negatively by this decision. It's not my intent to deny you the experience of witnessing the live show, but I can't go through the motions of playing music alongside someone who doesn't seem to care whether I'm there or not. I need to play drums out of a genuine love for music, not out of fear of being discarded and replaced at any time. It's truly too bad that it has to end this way. I regret that I'll never get the chance to perform the new material that I participated in creating. I hope I will return to the stage again at some point, under better conditions. Until then, I bid you all farewell."

Following this post, rumours started to spread on social media that the drummer did not want to play at the Latin American shows because the festival is allegedly run by a group using the Nazi SS in their logo. However, Babcock was unaware of that since he commented "Shit, I did not spot that! Well, there's another good reason." when a fan asked him about it.

Uada responded through a Facebook post as well, apologizing for the cancellation and informing the fans that they have already found a new drummer: "To the fans of El Salvador, Guatemala and others that had chosen to travel from other parts of Central America, it is our regret to inform you that we are forced to cancel our appearances at the Black Moon Show Festivals today & tomorrow. These forced cancellations are due to our drummer's last-minute decision to not participate in these festivals, which we learned via Facebook just hours before we were to board our plane. We are just as disappointed & angered as we imagine many of you will be to hear this news, and due to his actions, he will no longer be a part of this band.

"Our apologies go out to the organizers at Black Moon Shows who have always been a pleasure to work with as well as the great fans that are awaiting our arrival. Please know that we will make these shows up to you in the very near future. We hope this will not negatively affect the festivals and that our fans will still attend to show absolute support to the rest of the bands & organizers. They deserve it! We have found our new drummer and we will return to Europe in April as a unified entity. As always thank you for your support & understanding. Sincerely, UADA"

Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Uada