Source: Blabbermouth
CARPATHIAN FOREST frontman Nattefrost is one more in the long line of Scandinavian black metal musicians who have been unable to gain entry into the United States due to the immigration laws that have so often denied U.S. fans the opportunity to see their favorite European bands. Despite this setback, CARPATHIAN FOREST, whose remaining four members had been granted visas, was still aiming to appear at the Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore on May 26 as scheduled, but as a four-piece, with guitarist BloodPervertor taking on vocals. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, the embassy was not able to return drummer Kobro‘s passport in time for the band to leave, and CARPATHIAN FOREST has therefore been forced to pull out of the festival completely. However, three members — guitarists Tchort and BloodPervertor and bassist Vrangsinn — will attend and will be available to talk to fans.
It is only under very exceptional circumstances that CARPATHIAN FOREST play without Nattefrost, the only other occasion having been when BloodPervertor stepped in to cover vocals on a handful of dates during the No Mercy Tour in 2004 when Nattefrost broke his collar bone.
Commenting on the original decision to go ahead despite the absence of the band’s iconic frontman and then still being forced to cancel, guitarist Tchort had this to say: “When we decided to make the trip without Nattefrost, we knew that many fans would be disappointed, but at the same time we didn’t want to let down the organizers who have been so supportive throughout the whole visa process, and have done everything they could possibly to do to try and make it happen. We were also very aware that CARPATHIAN FOREST has many fans in the United States who have waited a long, long time to see the band live, and, given the circumstances, there is always the possibility that Nattefrost may never be granted a visa, so this might have been the only opportunity our U.S. fans will have to see us on stage, albeit minus one member. To then have to pull out completely because of whatever delays occurred even thoughKobro‘s visa was granted was a big disappointment for everyone”.
CARPATHIAN FOREST recently returned to the scene after a period of stasis, and will spend most of 2013 playing a series of one-off shows and festivals while they prepare to record the long-awaited follow up to 2004’s“Fuck You All!!!!”