UPDATE: about an hour after we posted this article, the Wisla Club where Vengeance Fest was slated to held, announced that it has been canceled. Their statement is at the end of this story. KEP Productions said that the show is still on albeit at a “undisclosed location”!

GARFIELD, NJ – Three days before a festival featuring National Socialist Black Metal (NSBM) bands, one of those bands announced on their Instagram page that they cut their U.S. tour short and went back home. Meanwhile the member of another band on the bill announced on a antifascist Instagram page’s comment section that they too were pulling out.

Vengeance Fest VII has generated outrage in the local area and especially on social media when it was noticed that several National Socialist Black Media (NSBM) were performing. The reputation of promoter, his KEP Productions and Vengeance Fest being as promoting neo-Nazism with their shows has especially a concern. Seemingly in response, the KEP Productions posted a meme, since removed from the page of a scene of a city street adorned at the time of Nazi Germany with a statement superimposed on it that:

“Wonder why they call you Nazi?

“It’s because there was once a group of people in Germany who were against marxism globalism, queer theory, transgenderism, pedophilia, and degeneracy. A group who wanted to promote traditional values and nationalism. 

“The difference is this group didn’t call the people the people destroying Germany society their ‘greatest ally’”  

Greek-based Acherontas did not mention Vengeance Fest, which is slated to begin on Friday at the Wisla Club in Garfield, NJ, but in their Instagram posted titled, “We are Forced to Cancel the USA Tour” they said they had to end their tour after their show Sunday at Dusty’s in Dallas, Texas. “As individuals and as a band, we have always avoided drama, gossip, and public speculation. Therefore, we will not go into details. What we can say is that circumstances arose that were completely beyond our control, making it impossible for us to continue the tour or maintain any meaningful control over its execution.”

Acherontas has seen controversy for their association with the fascist scene in Greece due to performing at events alongside neo-Nazis. The band has also collaborated with artists associated with the NSBM scene and released music through similar underground circles. Despite this, they deny harboring any fascist leanings, saying they are apolitical.

On Tuesday, Josh Hammond of the Pompton Plains, NJ band Mourning said the following in the comments of an Instagram post calling out the event; “We had no idea about any of the controversy and only heard about it from friends on Sunday evening. By yesterday evening (Monday) we made it known that we will NOT be playing this show. Official word will be posted on our website and social media accounts. We want zero affiliation or association with any ideals of such nature and certainly do not support or condone the spread of hate or racism in any form.”

Garfield Mayor Everett Garnto, Jr. said the town is not able to shut down the event, but they can work to make sure people in the area will be safe. “We will have additional police personnel there. Without a doubt,” he said. “I wish we could stop something like this but it’s a private business in a private property. We can only make sure the public is safe.”

Garfield is just a mile away from the Junior Order clubhouse in Elmwood Park, NJ, where the National Alliance used to have events and meetings. That clubhouse is now a mosque.

Official Statement / Clarification

THE EVENT ITS OFFICIALLY CANCELLED!!!! 26 and 27 JUNE

From Wisla Club

The management of Wisła Club would like to address concerns and information currently circulating online regarding an event that was scheduled to take place at our venue.

Wisła Club was not informed about the backgrounds, affiliations, or controversies associated with any of the bands or performers appearing at this event. Wisła Club is not the organizer of this event. The venue was rented by an independent organization that is not affiliated with Wisła Club and has never previously worked with our club.

This event is entirely unrelated to the Polish event organizers, promoters, and community groups that regularly collaborate with Wisła Club. The organization responsible for this event is a separate entity that approached Wisła Club solely for the purpose of renting our facility.

We wish to clearly state that the Board of Directors of Wisła Club, as well as the organizers and partners who work with us to create Polish cultural, social, and community events, have no connection whatsoever to any allegations, statements, or information currently being discussed online regarding this event or its participants.

Wisła Club has always been committed to fostering a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment for all members of our community. We do not support or endorse any form of hatred, discrimination, extremism, racism, or ideology that conflicts with these values.

We appreciate the concerns that have been brought to our attention and take them seriously. We are currently reviewing our venue rental procedures to ensure that future events are more thoroughly vetted and align with the values and standards of our organization.

Wisła Club Board of Directors

Garfield, New Jersey