Nem kozvetlenul 'deth hir, de erdekes. Nem engedik fellepni a Saxon-t a dubai Desert Rock Festivalon, egy 1984-es nota, a Crusader nota szovege miatt, derult ki harom nappal a buli elott.  Itt egy cikk alabb.  Megadeth es Testament egyelore meg maradhat. 

 

 

Dubai: A rock band that sparked controversy over its song lyrics has been axed from the Dubai Desert Rock Festival.

Saxon was due to play alongside five other bands at Thursday's festival, which is expected to attract 8,000 fans.

However, following publicity over the 1984 song Crusader the band has been taken off the line-up.

Organisers said it was "regrettable" that Saxon would not be at the event but said security concerns forced the move.

As reported in Gulf News, Crusader was written from the point of view of those involved in the controversial campaigns of the 11th to 13th centuries when Christians tried to wrest land from Arab Muslims.

The song described the Crusaders who were trying to displace the "Saracen heathen" and has a warning that they would "soon taste our steel".

It also includes the sentence: "For Christendom's sake, we'll take our revenge on the pagan out of the East."

Crusader appeared on Saxon's album of the same name and was included in the group's live shows in the 1980s.

It was not part of the band's set list for Desert Rock, which is being held at Dubai Country Club and is now in its third year.

In a statement, festival organisers Centre Stage Management (CSM) said: "Due to the controversy which has arisen over the meaning of a song written and performed by Saxon in the 1980s, DTCM [Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing] has withdrawn the permission for Saxon to perform at the Dubai Desert Rock Festival 2006 and CSM has agreed not to put Saxon on stage.

"It is regrettable that it has come to this, but as is the case in all events, concerns for health, safety and security must prevail."

Saxon had been due to play at last year's Dubai Desert Rock Festival as well, but the group pulled out after the house of one band member burned down.

The band leader recorded a short video in which he explained why Saxon had pulled out and this was played to fans at the 2005 show.

Joann Shams, Business Development Manager for CSM, said: "We agreed we would bring back Saxon for the fans. We didn't know it would come to this."

Shams said that tickets would not be refunded following Saxon's removal from the festival.

"It does say on the front of the ticket that the line-up is subject to change and there will be no refunds. That's generally how festivals are run.

"Last year, Saxon cancelled and we didn't have any requests for refunds. I am sure the fans will be disappointed, especially as this has happened two years in a row but I hope they will understand. There are lots of other bands from different genres for them to enjoy," Shams added.

Gulf News contacted DTCM but officials refused to comment.

Bands such as Reel Big Fish, Testament, 3 Doors Down and Megadeth are all still due to perform at Desert Rock.