When multiple famous people die unexpectedly and rapidly within a relatively short period of time, it is natural to want to seek out deeper answers and get a better sense of closure on the matter. Especially when all we get are vague, politically sensationalized details from the press. But for some reason, there is a growing sentiment in cyber-culture, almost violent in its knee jerk response, that immediately shouts: "STOP THAT! DON'T ASK QUESTIONS!" Nothing says "they died in vain" better than indifference to the details and allowing others to suffer the same unexamined fate, simply because we were afraid of offending people who probably don't care as much as we do anyway.
NOTE: Some words in this blog will use alternate characters or numbers to represent letters, in order to avoid pesky Google algorithms seeking to censor information they don't like.
Eric Wagner was the original singer for legendary underground Doom Metal pioneers, Trouble. After many years and albums, he did leave the band, but continued to be active musically. One of his main projects when he died was The Skull, a band which is named after the 2nd Trouble album, and features multiple original members of that group.
On 8.6.21, Scott "Wino" Weinrich, who's band The Obsessed was touring with The Skull, posted the following to his Instagram page:
"TEXAS!!!! I love TEXAS and am very happy to be back in the land of the free. State pride , FAIR AND SANE LAWS , and REAL PATRIOTISM are just two of the many reasons why this state rules . Big ugly will try to undermine this state with weather m0dification, v0ting fraud and diluting the core with socialist une1ected swine, BUT THEY WILL NEVER SUCCEED. Cmon Arlington Texas !!!"
About 5 days later, The Skull posted the following statement to their Facebook page:
"Hey All... Due to the ongoing and growing C0V1D situation sweeping the nation again, particularly in the South where we are currently, we, THE SKULL, have opted to put the brakes on our current tour with THE OBSESSED, who will continue on without us. We will reschedule as much as we can and tour again properly when things calm down. Thank you for understanding and please be safe out there."
According to brooklynvegan dot com, the above statement by the Skull has since been deleted from the band's page. We can only guess why, but it is interesting to note a specific contrast between Wino's statement on 8.6, compared to the Skull's comments on 8.11. I'm referring to Wino's extreme entheusiasm to be touring the south, vs The Skull's extreme hesitency, resulting in them dropping from the tour altogether.
One confusing aspect of the Skull's statement, is that despite their obvious concerns over the "growing C0V1D situation sweeping the nation," they did not initially cancel their 8.19.21 Psycho Las Vegas date, which was scheduled to occur just over a week after breaking off from their tour with the Obsessed. If they were truly spooked for their health, why would they fly [drive?] all the way over to Las Vegas to play a show for hundreds, maybe 1000+ people, where risk could potentially be higher than smaller shows they felt were too risky to play? I'm guessing there were other factors that went into their decision to cancel the last few dates with the Obsessed.
Note how the Skull often seems to begin their posts with "Hey All." We'll see more examples of this.
6 days later, a Blabbermouth article headline reads:
"Former TROUBLE Singer ERIC WAGNER Hospitalized With COV1D Pneumonia"
"Eric Wagner, the original singer of doom metal legends TROUBLE, has been hospitalized with COV1D pneumonia.
The news of Wagner's battle with the disease caused by the novel c0r0navirus was shared on the Facebook page of his current band THE SKULL.
THE SKULL wrote: "We will not be able to play Psycho Vegas this Thursday. While 3 out of 4 of us who tested positive for C0V1D are recovering nicely... Eric Wagner's bout with C0V1D has gotten worse and he was admitted to the hospital yesterday with C0V1D pneumonia. Positive thoughts and words will be helpful." - blabbermouth 8.17.21
I'm trying to figure out if the Skull's statement "3 out of 4 of us" is a reference specifically to band members, or if it includes members of their crew as well. I've seen other articles that seem to conflate these little details, more than clarify. Not sure what to make of that, but thought it was worth mentioning.
Note that the Skull again started their message with "Hey All," which can be seen in the screen shot image above. Blabbermouth has left that out of their quote in the above article. This will be signifficent later.
"Doom Metal Legend Wino cites C0V1D related conspiracy theory while cancelling his appearance at Psycho Las Vegas" - blabbermouth 8.20.21
In other written/video blogs, I have brought up the point about how mainstream media [MSM] has weaponized this phrase "conspiracy theory." I've noted that Wikipedia has an interesting entry on this phrase, stating some believe it is used "...in order to discredit conspiratorial believers...by making them a target of ridicule." That is exactly right, and that is what Blabbermouth is doing here.
Whether or not one agrees with Wino's statements, the article, with it's assuming headline, is clearly sending a message to readers that HE IS WRONG, and that HE IS A NUTCASE and that nobody should take him seriously. This is how Blabbermouth treats a "Doom Metal Legend?" By using their influence to cancel him out for having his own opinion that they disagree with? Let's take a look at what Wino said that triggered Blabbermouth to respond this way...
"Two evenings ago, I received an email from Psycho Las Vegas, wherein they informed me, and other artists, that this event would require that all people, attendees and artists, wear a mask at ALL times indoors. The exception only being while singing on stage, all non-singing musicians, band members, etc. are required to be masked during the performance. This includes drummers. Also, as soon as the performance is over, artists will be required to re-don masks in backstage, front of house, vip lounges, and common areas."
Wino clearly disagrees with these mask mandates, as this is one of the reasons he cancelled his appearance. Is that why Blabbermouth is calling him a conspiracy theorist?
[click on images first before enlarging, otherwise resolution may be poor]
"People should not be walking around with masks...there's no reason to be walking around with a mask. When you're in the middle of an outbreak, wearing a mask might make people "feel" a little bit better and it might even block a droplet. But it's not providing the perfect protection that people THINK that it is. And often, there are unintended consequences, people keep fiddling with the mask and they keep touching their face." Dr Anthony Fauci, 60 minutes
Dr Fauci is considered the "leading infectious disease expert" in the United States. We are told he is the HIGHEST paid governmental employee in the country. Not only did he state, live on 60 minutes, that these masks we are all wearing don't work the way we think they do, he even goes the extra step to state that there are UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES for doing so! So if Blabbermouth thinks Wino is a conspiracy theorist for having a problem with a mask requirement - they must think Dr Fauci is an even BIGGER conspiracy theorist for claiming we are all wearing them for no reason!
"I have dug very deep when researching C0V1D-I9 not just on youtube, but in scientific publications, journals, lectures, etc. I BELIEVE THE V1RUS EXISTS, and has been weaponized as has been proven in congressional hearings where the evidence is overwhelming. Our govt (NIH) has been complicit in the financing, and shared scientific lab work creating a SARS based super c0r0naV1Rus, designed specifically for lethality and easy dissemination amongst the human population."
Wino capitalizes the words "I BELIEVE THE V1RUS EXISTS." What's controversial about that statement? He then states he believes it has been weaponized and that it's been proven in congressional hearings. This can actually be confirmed by anyone who cares to research it.
In a C-SPAN video, still available as I type this, Senator Rand Paul grills Dr Fauci on his involvement with GA1N of FUNCT10N research [the process of making virµses MORE transmissable and deadly] at the lab in Wµhan. Now people may not LIKE Rand Paul, people may not LIKE what he is asking Dr Fauci, and Dr Fauci certainly doesn't like what he is being asked! - but Rand Paul is in fact a Dr himself, and if you look up everything he specifically cites in this exchange, you will find, AT THE VERY LEAST, there is an extremely compelling argument that Dr Anthony Fauci helped manufacture the V1RUS which has killed countless people and has nearly shut our country down. If people choose to be lazy, and not look this stuff up simply because they are afraid their opinion might shift to something their friends don't like, well they aren't really in a position to decide whether Wino's views are "conspiracy theory" or not, are they?
Does Blabbermouth think that Senator Dr Rand Paul is a conspiracy theorist? There is a saying that goes, "there are no conspiracies, but there are also no coincidences..."
"Bi0-weapons are nothing new, but in my personal opinion pure evil. Early on in the so called PANDEM1C it was stated by the CDC that PCR tests were inaccurate in determining if one had the virus, because they are designed for individuals who already were symptomatic. The CDC quickly backtracked as it was a desirable test to cause FALSE POSITIVES. Also, the Innova rapid tests have been recalled by the FDA for also giving inaccurate results. Mainstream media did not report this, and these tests are still in use. A paper mask was also first said by the WHO and so called experts to be useless against the virus, then of course the official word was again changed."
According to the Cleveland Clinic, who brag about having existed for 100 years on their website, "The PCR test has been the gold standard test for diagnosing C0V1D-I9 since authorized for use in February 2020. It’s accurate and reliable."
If PCR tests are "the gold standard," why has the CDC [Center for Disease Control] website announced they are phasing it out as of December 31, 2021?
"Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method widely used to rapidly make millions to billions of copies (complete copies or partial copies) of a specific DNA sample, allowing scientists to take a very small sample of DNA and amplify it (or a part of it) to a large enough amount to study in detail." - Wiki
[Mullis died of pneumonia on August 7, 2019 at age 74]
Biochemist Kary Mullis [above] is the inventor of the PCR test. In 1983, he was awarded a Nobel Prize for it. Here is what he said about it in a lecture, which can still be found online:
"It [PCR test] allows you to take a very minuscule amount of anything, and make it measurable…it’s just a process that’s used to make a whole lot of something out of something. That’s what it is, it doesn’t tell you that your sick it doesn’t tell you that the thing you ended up with really was gonna hurt you or anything like that."
Does Blabbermouth think that Kary Mullis, inventor of the PCR test, winner of a nobel prize, is a conspiracy theorist for his views on this topic?
Although it's not real easy to find, the NY Times published an article on 8.29.20 entitled "Your C0r0naV1RUS Test is Positive, maybe it shouldn't be," specifically addressing the unrealiability of the PCR tests:
"In three sets of testing data that include cycle thresholds, compiled by officials in Massachusetts, New York and Nevada, up to 90 percent of people testing positive carried barely any virµs, a review by The Times found. Up to 90 percent of “positive cases” barely contained a trace of virµs. Viro1ogists contacted by the NYT were “stunned.”
Does Blabbermouth think the NY Times publishes conspiracy theories on this topic?
"My personal beliefs are: We are under the authoritarian cloak of a small cadre of unelected so called 'elite' who are beyond rich and consequently consider themselves above the common man. This virµs I believe was created as a depopulation tool, and the fear associated with it as a means to subjugate and enslave you and I, the common people.
Hypothesis: a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation. - Oxford Languages
Obviously, Wino has done his homework on this topic. Given the solid points he has made in order to arrive at the above hypotheses, Blabbermouth's characterization of him as some sort of wacko "conspiracy theorist" isn't just innocent sensationalism/exagerration. It encourages destructive ignorance among their readers.
"I cannot, in good conscious, perform my music in an environment that is designed to take away individuality, civil liberties and free will. I will not be performing this night at Psycho Las Vegas, not out of fear, but principle. If we, the people, continue to blindly accept this tyranny we are destined for enslavement...These are my personal views, but I urge everyone to dig deep. My apologies to my friends and fans, but it's time to wake up."
Whether you agree with Wino or not, he's obviously a well intended man trying to use his influence in a positive way to help others. He's standing up for what he feels to be right, in the face of what is likely a huge amount of opposition. Even putting his musical career on the line! If the people at Blabbermouth think that is a big joke, it only reflects negatively on them as an "underground" media organization.
It is interesting to note that both The Skull and Wino cancelled their appearances at the Psycho Las Vegas festival, but for somewhat opposite reasons.
"I think that Facebook was really not a good thing, like it started out MAYBE…I watched that movie, where it was like for “college people,” I’m not so sure anymore. Facebook is a CIA’s wet dream! They know where you are, who you are, what you look like, what your kids look like, what your eating for supper, where I went on vacation…I mean come on." - Eric Wagner, Heavy Metal Horror Podcast
On 8.23.21, Blabbermouth announced that Eric Wagner had died of "C0V1D pneumonia."...
"The news of Wagner's passing was confirmed late last night by his son Luke Wagner. Luke wrote on social media: "Hey all this is Luke Wagner his oldest son. Eric Wagner has passed away."
Last I checked, Luke Wagner is not a member of the Skull. So why is he starting his message the same way the band does when they post messages? Is the same author of all the Skull's posts also the same person in charge of Luke Wagner's account?
And who says "hey all" to begin their statement letting the world know your father, beloved by thousands of fans worldwide, just died? Try and hear this in a human voice: "Hey all, my dad died suddenly from C0V1D last night." I mean, what do you say? "Bummer bro, let's fire up a joint?" Maybe the emotion is just getting lost on the screen, but just seems like a very cold, odd way to announce such tragic news, from his son no-less.
"Unvaççinated people, like Wagner reportedly was, are more likely to be hospitalized or die from C0V1D-I9 than people who are fully vaççinated."
The article then states that Wagner was "reportedly" µnvaccina†ed. That means they really don't know if he was vaccina†ed or not! And they aren't naming the source of the information they stated as if it was "established fact." But that doesn't stop them from building upon their unconfirmed assumptions...
"Infectious disease experts have said that large-scale outbreaks among UNVAççiNA†ED people are being fueled by the highly contagious de1†a varian†."
Blabbermouth is now jumping from their unconfirmed assumption that Eric Wagner was not vaççinated, to not so subtly insinuating that his [unconfirmed] decision was responsible for his death, and that others should get vaççinated or suffer a similar fate. In short, they are using Eric Wagner's death to advertise C0V1D vaççines. But what if it turns out Wagner WAS vaççinated? Will Blabbermouth publish another article walking all of this back? Of course not! Because they have a political agenda!
To be fair, I did find a video on youtube where Wagner was interviewed by some Brazilian fans, and they asked him how he feels about the idea of mandatory vaççinations:
"I hope they don’t do that because I really don’t wanna take it… I don’t want it. I remember my parents, every time they went to get a flu shot they were always sick, they got sick you know?…and even here you know, Pharmaceuticals are so expensive and…there’s a lady standing there wanting to give me a free flu shot! Why is it free? That’s what scares me right there. Here ya go, let’s test this out on you! No thanks, I’ll rather have the flu."
Given the above, it is reasonable to assume Wagner was not vaççinated. But until we have confirmation, isn't it a bit obnoxious to just run away with that assumed "fact" and use it to promote the vaççine and fear mongering the day Wagner's death is announced? Unfortunately, it reminds me of when TMZ announced Chris Cornell's suicide before the autopsy was even performed! And if you've read my blogs on that topic, you know that the official evidence there does NOT support suicide, but murder.
Another band that apparently cancelled their scheduled appearance at Psycho Las Vegas was legendary Bay Area Thrash band Vio-Lence, due to Sean Killian [singer] contracting C0V1D. In fact, it appears that Killian was admitted into the hospital the same day as Eric Wagner! Blabbermouth then ran this headline on 8.23.21, the SAME DAY Wagner's death was announced:
'Anti-Vaççination' VIO-LENCE Singer SEAN KILLIAN Blasts Ex-D.R.I. Bassist HARALD OIMOEN Over 'No Sympathy' Comment
"VIO-LENCE singer Sean Killian has blasted Harald Oimoen as a "coward" after the former D.R.I. bassist said that he had "no sympathy" for adults who refuse vaççination against C0V1D-I9 and then become sick."
I'm not going to get into this article in detail, but we can see that Blabbermouth is again encouraging a negative "anti-vaççine" stereotype, and using this little war between Killian and Oimoen to do it - obviously taking sides with the latter in this case. This was published the SAME DAY as the Wagner article, where they subtly criticized him for being "reportedly" unvaççinated. [The articles calling Wino a "conspiracy theorist" are obviously part of Blabbermouth's theme of "cancelling anti-vaççine people."]
The article then goes on the state "Unvaççinated people are more likely to be hospitalized or die from C0V1D-I9 than people who are fully vaççinated." Blabbermouth then provides no specific source or studies to back the claim up. This is because Blabbermouth has been instructed to promote the vaççine, regardless of what the facts or the science says about their safety and necessity. We see this in the way they slant articles to suit their narrative, and leave out information that might contradict their assumptions. There is a distinct lack of objectivity when they are covering this topic.
Apparently Oimoen faced much backlash for how he came down on Killian, enough that he felt compelled to issue an apology publicly:
"I don't know WTF I was thinking .... Life is way too short & fragile to even waste time on bullshit like this !! It was mean spirited & uncalled for ! There is enough schism in the world right now & I shouldn't be making it worse !"
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