“Dude, I bought tickets to see my favorite bands, not to get dragged into a political circus,” one fan tweeted. “Metal’s supposed to be a safe space for everyone, not a place where you have to pick sides.”

As more bands and fans voiced their concerns, Rittenhouse, perhaps realizing that his presence had become a lightning rod for controversy, decided to cancel his appearance altogether. His reasoning? Metal, according to him, had gone soft.

“I didn’t sign up for a political circus either,” Rittenhouse said in a statement after his cancellation. “I came here to support a good cause, but I guess metal is no longer about rebellion or freedom of expression. It’s all about who can be the most politically correct. Just sad metal went woke like that.”

For many in the metal community, this was an eye-opening moment. Metal, a genre historically associated with rebellion, nonconformity, and pushing the boundaries of societal norms, was now embroiled in a culture war that threatened to tear it apart. On one side were the fans and bands who believed that metal should remain a space free from political interference, where controversial figures like Rittenhouse could still have a platform. On the other side were those who argued that metal, like all art, has an obligation to evolve and reflect the values of inclusivity and accountability.

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