Corrosion of Conformity

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY have posted the following message on their official web site:

"We are stunned deeply saddened by the brutal stabbings of four people at the Tampa show last night [June 23].

"We don't have much information at this time.

"Unofficially we have heard that one victim didn't make it.

"In twenty-plus years of gigging we've never seen anything like this.

"It's sad that people can't come together for a good time listening to music without something tragic happening.

"We feel for the families of those attacked and wish success to Tampa law enforcement in their quest to solve this pointless crime.

"Take care of each other and go in peace.

"Anyone who has any information or saw anything should contact the Tampa Police at 813-276-3200."

Nola Bradley of Extreme Metal Magazine has issued the following eyewitness account of last night's events:

"Wow... [I] don't really know where to start. Just really kinda freaked out right now. I just got home from the Masquerade in Tampa, went to see C.O.C. and CROWBAR. The show was going great. I went up to the bathrooms. While I was in there, I heard all kinds of commotion. I came out of the bathroom to see what was going on and saw these two chicks fighting. Before I knew it, these two guys were trying to break up the fight. They were having to use serious restraint to get these girls off each other. At this time, one of the girls' boyfriend came running up, under the impression that these dudes were beating up these chicks, and the one guy grabbed his knife and gutted the two guys. In a matter of a second both guys were laying in their own blood. The stabber bolted for the door and ran away. Immediately Pepper [Keenan, C.O.C. frontman] came on the mic and asked everyone to clear a path and exit out the side doors. The venue was immediately swarmed with police, ambulance, and flying helicopters because the man in on the loose. Obviously, C.O.C. didnt get to finish their set. It was an extremely greusome scene and I can't get it out of my head. I was forced to give a statement to police since I was a direct witness. This is such a terrible thing. One of the men was rumored to be dead on the scene but nothing is official."