JAG PANZER Guitarist Apologizes For IN FLAMES Remarks

March 24, 2004

JAG PANZER guitarist Mark Briody has issued an apology over his previous statement regarding the circumstances that led IN FLAMES vocalist Anders Fridén to refer to ICED EARTH mainman Jon Schaffer as "the only person on this planet that I can't stand."

As previously reported, Fridén slammed Schaffer in a recent interview over comments Schaffer made during ICED EARTH's 2002 North American tour, which featured IN FLAMES and JAG PANZER as the opening acts. Speaking to the Swedish magazine Close-Up, Anders said, "there were lot of complaints [from Jon on the tour], and our part of the stage was getting smaller and smaller, even though we'd sold out some of the venues before on our own. I could barely stand by the mic stand, that's how tight it was between the drum set and me."

Writing to the message board of the German ICED EARTH fan site Iced-Realm.de, Briodycommented on Fridén's statement, saying, "There had been limited stage room for us and IN FLAMES for several of the shows. Montreal was particularly bad so Anders decided to talk to Jon about it. It did not go well. Jon told him to take a hike (but not in those words). [ICED EARTH vocalist at the time] Matt [Barlow] told me that Anders approached Jon with an attitude. I wasn't in the room so I'm just relaying what I was told.

"The limited stage room didn't bother me. Of course I would have wanted more room, but we weren't the headliner so we just deal with things like that.

"One thing that I didn't care for is that Anders discussed the subject with us stating that both JAG PANZER and IN FLAMES should have more stage room," Mark added. "But he approached Jon and suggested that JAG PANZER remain with the limited stage but IN FLAMES get more room. I didn't think that was too cool. But it was no big deal either. Things like this happen on tour all the time."

In a written statement sent to BLABBERMOUTH.NET on Tuesday (March 23),Briody apologized for his previous remarks, saying, "In recent press statement I was quoted as saying that Anders from IN FLAMES asked for more stage room.

"It has come to my attention that the tour manager, not Anders, made said request.

"I apologize for any confusion and misunderstanding that may have resulted from this statement."

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