It's never easy to hear about a musician struggling, especially when it impacts their band and their fans. Malevolent Creation's Phil Fasciana recently had to cut his tour short, and the reason why is a stark reminder of how health and personal choices can collide. Fasciana, guitarist and co-founder of the legendary death metal band, has issued a heartfelt apology after his abrupt departure from the 'Carnival of Death' tour alongside Kataklysm, Vader, and Skeletal Remains.
In a raw and honest statement, Fasciana takes full responsibility for his actions, expressing deep regret to his bandmates – Chris Cannella, Jesse Jolly, and Ronnie Parmer – and everyone involved in the tour. He stated, "I must apologize to my friends, family and most importantly my band members... for my stupidity on our North American Tour... and everyone involved on the Carnival of Death Tour."
But here's where it gets controversial... Fasciana reveals a challenging backstory. He explains that he believed he was healthy enough to undertake the tour. However, shortly before it began in Tampa, Florida, he received strong prescription medication for lung and heart issues stemming from a serious bout of bacterial pneumonia in France, which left him in a coma and intensive care. According to Fasciana, his doctor explicitly warned him against consuming alcohol while on these medications, citing potentially fatal consequences. This is where things took a turn.
Fasciana admits to ignoring the doctor’s orders, stating, "And like an Idiot I was drinking ridiculous amounts of Jack Daniel's..." The situation culminated in Los Angeles, where, before a show at the Whiskey A Go Go, he consumed a massive amount of whiskey. This led to a health crisis, forcing him to leave the tour. He candidly stated, "...and nearly killed myself and had to leave the tour."
And this is the part most people miss... the sheer vulnerability in his words. He emphasizes that he is still "deathly sick" and undergoing medical evaluations to determine the extent of any lasting damage. On October 21st, he is scheduled for ultrasounds of his aorta and chest x-rays. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Fasciana holds out hope, saying that if the tests reveal no life-threatening issues, he would like to rejoin the tour. He reiterated his apology, saying, "Once again I am very sorry and I really let down a lot of people because of my stupid decisions."
This situation sparks a larger question: How much responsibility do we place on artists to maintain a certain image or lifestyle, especially when they are dealing with underlying health issues? Some may argue that professional musicians have a duty to prioritize their health for the sake of their bandmates and fans. Others might contend that artists, like anyone else, are entitled to make their own choices, even if those choices are self-destructive. Do you think fans are too quick to judge artists facing personal struggles? Should there be more support systems in place for musicians dealing with health challenges on the road? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
