Cannibal Corpse axe Russian show over lighting issue

Rockers Cannibal Corpse left fans in Russia disappointed by axing a gig in the country just hours before they were due to take to the stage on Sunday (05Sep14). Local authorities shut down the show in Ufa due to technical issues and concert organisers informed fans it would be moved to a different venue.
However, just two hours before the concert was due to begin, it was announced that lighting equipment was not permitted to be used so the performance was cancelled.
In an interview with Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda, lead singer George ‘Corpsegrinder’ Fisher says, “I am saddened by the fact that the show was cancelled. We heard that there were some technical issues but we kept the hope that the concert would go ahead. Unfortunately, this did not happen, and we are very sorry. We were ready to play. So it sucks, but we love (the fans) and we will do everything possible to come back and play a show.”
Prior to the start of their Russian tour, Cannibal Corpse caused controversy when it was suggested their music was in breach of Russia’s newly implemented anti-blasphemy laws and they should not be permitted to tour in the country.
Dmitry Tsorionov, who fronts Russian Orthodox organisation God’s Will, called for the cancellation of the tour as he claimed the band members promote religious hatred and their songs deal with rape and murder.