The band Semblant announced this Thursday, the 3rd, the departure of Mizuho Lin from the band after the vocalist made a series of posts in support of a request for military intervention in Brazil.
In videos posted on his personal profile and recorded by the page Dark Memes of Wonders , Mizuho commented on the blockades on federal highways organized by truck drivers and supporters of the current president, Jair Bolsonaro , in protests against the results of the presidential elections held last Sunday, October 30th, which ended with the election of candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva . Many protesters are calling for military intervention in the country.
“This request [for military intervention] should have been made a long time ago. The pro-Bolsonaro demonstrations should have made this request, but the stupid people didn't ask for it, and now, after the elections, after the result, they want to get angry? The Brazilian people, being stupid as always, instead of acting beforehand, wait for things to go wrong before acting,” said Mizuho. “Let's wait for the next chapters; we have Bolsonaro until the end of the year and then an ex-convict as president.”.
Following the negative reaction to the anti-democratic statement, Semblant released a statement announcing the replacement of the vocalist for upcoming shows, but without directly mentioning the name of the member in question.
“Semblant publicly states that it deeply regrets the incident regarding a video posted on social media, made by one of our members. This person's opinion and what was stated do not represent the opinion of the band, and therefore, we all apologize,” they wrote in a statement released on social media. “We emphasize that these thoughts do not reflect, in any way, the conduct or thinking of Semblant. The band, in its almost twenty years of serious and dedicated work, has always had music as its main focus. Music, art, and metal are totally linked to democracy and freedom, and these are the principles in which the band believes, in its different formations. (…) We also inform you that, in order to respect the work of all others involved in the tour, Semblant announces that it will replace this member's participation for the next scheduled performances, out of respect for the public and the event.”.
With Epica 's opening shows in Brazil as part of their November schedule, the band has not yet announced whether Mizuho Lin will be fired, and the singer has not yet commented on the matter. Read the full statement and watch the singer's videos below.
READ ALSO: The best songs against authoritarian governments, violence and oppressive forces