VICIOUS RUMORS have officially confirmed the departure of longtime drummer Larry Howe following a string of concert cancellations triggered by his controversial political statements.
Howe, who joined the San Francisco power metal veterans in 1985, announced his exit on April 16 via social media: "CANCEL CULTURE WINS AGAIN. I WILL NO LONGER BE DRUMMING FOR VICIOUS RUMORS (for the foreseeable future)."
In a statement released on the same day, the band wrote: "Larry Howe has announced he's stepping down from VICIOUS RUMORS. We tried to save our musical bond but all we got in return was canceled shows, lost tours and a fight we had nothing to do with. After paying such a high price over one individual person's views we accept his resignation. Although we made some timeless albums, it's time to get back to the music."
Two months prior, VICIOUS RUMORS had initially announced that Howe would be departing due to his "personal political ambitions" and "extreme views," which had already caused promoters to cancel a number of the band's gigs. The two sides attempted a reconciliation, with the band pledging to honor their tour commitments together, but continued cancellations made the split inevitable.
VICIOUS RUMORS confirmed that their upcoming European "Asylum" tour, scheduled from May 9 to June 20, will proceed with a new drummer. The band's classic catalog — including landmark albums "Digital Dictator" (1988) and "Welcome To The Ball" (1991) — remains among the finest examples of American power metal.