Vulvodynia fired their vocalist Duncan Bentley over the weekend after allegations of him trying to kill drummer Tom Hughes surfaced. Hughes has since checked in with the metal world, saying he is doing alright and hopes that Bentley can get the assistance that he wants.
Now Bentley has issued his personal assertion. In a prolonged submit, Bentley apologized to Hughes however denied ever making an attempt to kill him. Bentley added that his anger with the band stemmed from a misuse of funds, and that this wasn’t the primary time he and Hughes acquired into an altercation. Bentley additionally claims that Vulvodynia is assassinating his character as an individual, that there have been dying threats to his family and friends within the wake of those allegations, and that he hopes to be associates together with his now-former bandmates someday sooner or later.
“Hey everybody, I am scripting this to you all at this time with a heavy coronary heart. There is no straightforward technique to discuss what occurred not too long ago, however it’s necessary that I do. I have been silent till now as a result of I used to be stranded with out means to speak, and I needed to get medically checked out earlier than addressing what occurred.
“First up, I owe the band, our crew, and Tom an apology. An apology appears so small within the face of what occurred, however I would like to supply it. I am so sorry for what occurred in Prague. We have shared so many phases, so many good occasions, and I by no means needed our story to finish on an evening like that. I remorse that our disagreement turned bodily, and I take full duty personally in it…”
“To clear up any misconceptions, I need everybody to know that I have been sober since March 30th. I by no means ‘tried to kill’ Tom like all of the headlines are saying… The explanation our argument began that evening was as a result of I used to be wrongly accused of consuming whereas I used to be really sober, caring for my bandmates, who have been themselves consuming. The frustration of seeing our hard-earned band funds getting used on drinks, medicine, lapdances and so on after which being accused of consuming myself once I was merely drained, escalated an already present rigidity. The misuse of funds had been a recurring occasion because the band checking account was put in Tom’s title.
“This is not the primary time that Tom and I’ve had a bodily altercation. On our third European tour, Tom choked me out after pulling out of our tour van throughout a heated argument, leaving me feeling betrayed and damage. Then, within the Philippines, I attacked him in a drunken rage after not having slept correctly and having to cope with grief from the dying of a member of the family. I am not happy with these incidents, and they don’t seem to be excuses for my habits. However I do wish to make it clear that these have been remoted occasions and that Tom and I’ve had many constructive experiences collectively as associates and bandmates.
“I have to ask you all although, in case you have been in our footwear and witnessed two bandmates preventing, would not you attempt to assist each events concerned? Simply because Tom‘s exterior accidents have been extra seen doesn’t suggest that I wasn’t additionally injured and in want of help. It is a devastating expertise to be deserted by the folks you thought-about your loved ones for therefore lengthy…
“That being mentioned, I did find yourself with accidents–damaged ribs and a concussion amongst them–and was left alone in an unfamiliar metropolis with no telephone and no technique of contacting residence, which actually left me in a troublesome spot. The R5000 despatched to me by the band barely lined something as my journey prices and medical payments got here to properly over R15000/$1000 which I needed to borrow from household as I used to be not in a position to change my flight. I am not saying this to play the sufferer however so as to add a bit of the story that wasn’t shared.
“I’ve by no means felt this stage of heartbreak. Dropping every little thing you’ve got labored for, every little thing you like in a second, is a ache I would not want on anybody. That second, being pinned by the police towards a wall, begging my bandmates for assist via my tears, will stick with me ceaselessly. Deserted, blocked and written off by my closest brothers… it is a ache that phrases cannot absolutely seize…
“It is disheartening to see my former bandmates resorting to name-calling and character assassination in an try and silence my aspect of the story. Their accusations of me being a ‘manipulator, psychopath, and compulsive liar’ usually are not solely baseless but in addition a transparent indication of how far they’re keen to go to snuff my voice and justify their actions. I urge everybody to take a step again and consider the state of affairs from all angles earlier than leaping to conclusions or making hasty judgments…
“There have been a number of dying threats despatched to my spouse, household, and associates because the submit made by the band. I am begging you, please cease. They’re harmless in all of this and do not deserve that in any respect. My spouse has been receiving dying threats in one other metropolis, and it has been weeks since I’ve seen her. This has been weighing closely on me…
“Studying the horrible issues being mentioned about me and my household has been gut-wrenching. I’ve considered giving up, however I will not. I am dedicated to changing into a greater person-for my household, for our followers, and for myself.
“I at present face the toughest resolution of my life: do I stand again and let the band, a reputation I began and labored so exhausting for, be taken from me? Or do I combat for the sliver of hope I’ve left? This band is my total life and I’ve labored so extraordinarily exhausting to get it to the place it at present is. We have been heading in direction of our ten-year anniversary subsequent yr, a milestone I dreamed of reaching all my life, earlier than this unlucky evening…
“This can be very upsetting that this incident was not sorted out between each events earlier than posts and accusations have been made – particularly since I, too, was injured.
“I actually want I had by no means gone out with them that evening…
“I will be stepping again from social media and music to give attention to my psychological well being. I would like a while to work on myself, getting the assistance I would like to determine my issues and find out how to cope with them. The times forward shall be difficult, however I’m dedicated to bettering my life, studying from my errors and rising from this expertise that may hang-out me ceaselessly. It is my hope that, in time, I can regain your belief and respect.
“Due to everybody to your understanding and persistence as I work via this hectic interval in my life. I’m grateful for many who have proven me kindness and help throughout this time when nobody else has.
“In closing, I wish to lengthen my deepest apologies as soon as once more to Tom, the band, our followers, all of our associates, and everybody this case has affected. I’m really sorry for the damage that I’ve brought on and I promise to make you all happy with me as soon as extra. Hopefully at some point we will put apart this horrific incident and hang around as associates once more. I nonetheless love you all a lot, you will at all times be my bros.
“Take care, keep protected, and bear in mind to be variety to one another. Issues occur so rapidly.”
