Bassist TONY DOLAN Quits MANTAS, Blames Record Company Politics

September 24, 2004

Bassist Tony Dolan (ex-VENOM, ATOMKRAFT) has officially left MANTAS, the new band led by ex-VENOM guitarist Mantas.

"After short deliberation, I have been forced to walk away from MANTAS owing to the decision from the [group's record] label, Demolition Records, to hinder and obstruct the [MANTAS] debut album, 'Zero Tolerance', if I remain as part of the band!" Tony said in a statement.

"With only 2,500 copies of the album being pressed, no American distribution, no P.R. company in place, no pre-advertising, and now the threat of the album
effectively being buried alive if I remain in place, I have decided to leave the band as Jeff (Mantas) is my friend and doesn't deserve this kind of treatment, nor do the rest of MANTAS nor the album!

"This has all arose because of my [previous] band's anthology album, ATOMKRAFT, 'Total Metal, The Neat Anthology', released August 26th 2004 though Sanctuary. The label owner of Demolition Records used to be my drummer in ATOMKRAFT and he felt he had been left out of the equation as Sanctuary asked myself and Malcolm Dome only to contribute sleeve notes. He thought he should have been consulted! He wasn't. How this incident reflects on what MANTAS was or is doing is beyond me, or anyone, but there you have it. The label feels they no longer want to work with me, so Jeff and his band and album are having to pay the cost. Fair? NO! Childish? YES! In my opinion. It is therefore I have no opition but try to save my friends' album and the rest of the band by departing!

"I believe that the band should have stuck together and departed from Demolition as anyone reading this would probably be saying now! However, owing to the particular situation Demolition Records are placing all involved in with regard to the album, this is not possible and they know that!!

"The album should have been out on the 27th of September but the label is now retracting this release date making a total of 3 postphoned delays due to the label not paying for the return of the master recordings and now due to the release of the ATOMKRAFT anthology!

"This is all unbeliveable and ridiculous but unresolvable by either the label owner or the label manager, one Eric Cook (ex-VENOM manager). Maybe you've heard of him?

"I wish my friend the best of luck and hope a real label take the band up soon."

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