Category Archives: Black Crown Initiate

Guitarist Andy Thomas Exits Black Crown Initiate

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Guitarist Andy Thomas has officially exited Black Crown Initiate. A replacement has yet to be revealed.

Thomas said the following:

“It’s been a long, wonderful, crazy journey, and I’d just like to say I am no longer a member of Black Crown Initiate. There is no bad blood whatsoever, and I’d like to thank all our fans, friends and affiliates from all over the world. I’ll see y’all around, for sure!”

Vocalist James Dorton also commented:

“As you might’ve seen on the BCI gram, Andy is no longer with the band. There’s no bad blood. In the decade that’s passed since we started this band with Nick, the man has become like a brother to me, and he will be missed. The rest of the band and I wish him well. BCI has some work to do, but we will continue on. Stay tuned 🤘”

Black Crown Initiate Drop Off Remaining Dates Of Their Tour With Allegaeon & Omnium Gatherum Due To Positive COVID-19 Tests

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Black Crown Initiate have dropped off of the remaining dates on their tour with Allegaeon and Omnium Gatherum due to positive COVID-19 tests. The band commented:

“It is with heavy hearts that we are having to cancel the remainder of this tour with Allegaeon and Omnium Gatherum, due to positive COVID-19 tests in our camp. This includes tonight’s show at Reggie’s in Chicago. This development is a heavy blow in many ways. But we will be back Ways to support the band:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/blackcrowninitiate

PayPal: blackcrowninitiate@gmail.com

https://linktr.ee/BlackCrownInitiate“

Omnium Gatherum Announce North American Tour With Allegaeon & Black Crown Initiate

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Omnium Gatherum have announced a North American tour in support of their new album “Origin“ (out November 5). Allegaeon and Black Crown Initiate will open.

Tour Dates:

02/26 Brooklyn, NY – The Kingsland
02/27 Baltimore, MD – Metro Gallery
02/28 Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506
03/01 Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Hell)
03/02 Orlando, FL – The Haven
03/04 Austin, TX – Come and Take it Live!
03/05 Houston, TX – Satellite Bar
03/06 Dallas, TX – Amplified Live
03/08 Denver, CO – Oriental Theater
03/09 El Paso, TX – Rockhouse Bar & Grill
03/10 Mesa, AZ – Nile Theater
03/11 San Diego, CA – Brick by Brick
03/12 Los Angeles, CA – Catch One @ Jewel
03/13 San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge
03/14 Portland, OR – Bossanova Ballroom
03/15 Seattle, WA – El Corazon
03/16 Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre
03/18 Calgary, AB – Dickens
03/19 Regina, SK – The Exchange
03/20 Winnipeg, MB – Park Theater
03/21 Minneapolis, MN – Amsterdam Bar & Hall
03/22 Madison, WI – The Crucible
03/23 Chicago, IL – Reggies
03/24 Toronto, ON – Velvet Underground
03/25 Montreal, QC – The Ritz
03/26 Quebec City, QC – Source de la Martiniere
03/27 Boston, MA – Middle East Downstairs

Black Crown Initiate Cancel Fall Tour With Inferi & Arkaik

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Black Crown Initiate have cancelled their fall tour with Inferi and Arkaik. The band commented:

“We’re sorry all. We understand and feel that disappointment hard. We commend the bands that are out there touring and giving it a go. Make sure to support them if you can in this unprecedented and uncertain time. For us and our position, we stood to lose too much if the tour were to get shut down, and it would’ve taken very little for that to happen, which became increasingly apparent. So for the sake of the band’s survival, and having survived enough ordeals already as a band, we had to make the call. We hope everyone understands and to see you sooner than later. Live music is everything to us. We assure you that this decision wasn’t come upon lightly. Refunds are available at point of purchase.”

Black Crown Initiate Announce Fall Tour With Inferi & Arkaik

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Black Crown Initiate have announced a fall U.S. tour with Inferi and Arkaik. Here’s the dates:

09/30 Reading, PA – Reverb
10/01 Pittsburgh, PA – Preserving Underground
10/02 Cleveland, OH – Now That’s Class
10/03 Indianapolis, IN – Emerson Theater
10/05 Ft. Wayne, IN – Piere’s (Stan’s Room)
10/06 Chicago, IL – WC Social Club
10/07 Kansas City, MO – The Riot Room
10/08 Dallas, TX – Reno’s
10/09 Austin, TX – Come and Take It Live
10/10 Houston, TX – Scout Bar
10/12 Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Purgatory)
10/13 Nashville, TN – The End
10/14 Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506
10/15 Frederick, MD – Cafe 611
10/16 Brooklyn, NY – The Kingsland
10/17 Manchester, NH – Jewel

Black Crown Initiate’s James Dorton Featured In “Gameplay Music Video” For New Video Game “Metal: Hellsinger”

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A new trailer has been shared for the upcoming video game “Metal: Hellsinger.” The “gameplay music video” features Black Crown Initiate’s James Dorton and it can be seen below. As previously reported, the rhythm shooter will also feature vocal contributions from Arch Enemy‘s Alissa White-Gluz, Trivium‘s Matt Heafy, Dark Tranquillity‘s Mikael Stanne, and Soilwork‘s Björn “Speed” Strid. The game was developed by The Outsiders and it will be released in 2021 on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X, and PC.

Black Crown Initiate Premiere New Song “Death Comes In Reverse”

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Black Crown Initiate have premiered a new song titled “Death Comes In Reverse.” This track is from the band’s new album “Violent Portraits Of Doomed Escape,“ which will be released on August 7. Andy Thomas commented:

“‘Death Comes in Reverse’ was written during one of the lowest points of my life. It felt as if I was living in endless daylight, and sleep was very fleeting. Musically, it is a very different track for us, and I’m very happy with how it came out. It is centered around one basic theme, and I’m very proud of how we were able to expand it into a multi-faceted, dynamic song.”

Black Crown Initiate Premiere New Song “Holy Silence”

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Black Crown Initiate have premiered an animated video for their new song “Holy Silence.” This track is from the band’s new album “Violent Portraits Of Doomed Escape,“ which will be released on August 7. Andy Thomas said the following about the song, which was written in 2008:

“We had always wanted to use it. With [guitarist Ethan McKenna] returning to the band it felt right. The song deals with notions of a creator and our connections to whatever that force may be. I am particularly proud of James’ vocals and Ethan’s perfect guitar solo.”

[via Metal Injection]

Black Crown Initiate’s James Dorton Issues Statement Regarding His Past Associations With Hate Groups & Right-Wing Extremists

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Black Crown Initiate frontman James Dorton has issued a statement after being accused of having racist views. The accusations are related to his past association with right-wing extremist Jack Donovan and the Wolves Of Vinland, a Virginian neopagan tribe that was designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Dorton said the following:

“Hey, guys. James here. It has come to my attention that there are a few things I need to address for our fans and peers, some of whom have become concerned that I hold racist views because I did some narration work for author Jack Donovan, and, like him, used to associate with the neo-pagan tribe, the Wolves Of Vinland, and their off-shoot, Operation Werewolf.

I understand that some of you hold our music very close to your hearts, and it makes sense why you would want to know where I stand.

I did hang around these guys in the past, but do not anymore. I was never a member of Wolves Of Vinland, and we communicated seldom; it was mostly a one-sided relationship. Perhaps it’s because of this that I was ignorant to the extreme right, hateful and intolerant elements of their organization, at least until now. As hard as that may be for some to believe, I just never did the Google research and never encountered those elements in my limited interaction with these people.

There has been a lot of trauma in my younger life- namely my struggle with cancer, but other things too. I was in need of structure and guidance, drawn to their mantras of self improvement, and I see now that I sought it in the wrong place. I was unaware of the more extreme views of the group, which is my fault.

Now that I am, I don’t want anything to do with those views or people.

As many of you might know, death metal unfortunately doesn’t pay the bills, and I do voiceover by trade. Back in 2015, during a particularly tough time financially for the band, I partially narrated two titles by Jack Donovan. I never agreed with Jack‘s viewpoints, but I had yet to fully realize the harm of even associating and lending credence to those viewpoints.

Neither I nor anyone else in BCI harbor hate for anyone, and we don’t support groups/individuals that do.

We whole-heartedly support Black Lives Matter, and are glad attention is being brought to the issue of police brutality.

Music is what drives our lives, and the love and experiences we garner in the process. It’s something we are very grateful for. In this divisive time, we seek to sow understanding, and encourage everyone to do the same.”

[via The PRP]

Black Crown Initiate Premiere New Song “Sun Of War”

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Black Crown Initiate have premiered a new song titled “Sun Of War.” This track is from the band’s new album “Violent Portraits Of Doomed Escape,“ which will be released on August 7. Andy Thomas commented:

“‘Sun of War‘ is a song that sort of continues the theme of our Song of the Crippled Bull EP. It centers around life in the end of a repeating universal cycle, and basically mourns the disconnect from what humans truly are: power, truth, and timelessness. It seems appropriate to be released now.”