Dutch Symphonic Metal band Within Temptation has cancelled their upcoming show in Byblos International Festival which is scheduled to be held on Aug-07,2019 at Byblos, Lebanon. The shocking news has been posted on the band’s Facebook page yesterday at around 3:00 pm (Bangladeshi time).

The band has cited the reason by saying,

“We have found out that another band called Mashrou’ Leila was pulled from the festival according to the festival committee due to security reasons after religious fanatics demanded their performance to be cancelled followed by violent threats. Apart from the fact that Lebanese authorities at this moment are not able to provide artists the security to perform in peace, we have decided to cancel our show in Byblos in solidarity with Mashrou’ Leila and in support of tolerance, freedom of speech and expression.”

The band has also added to the statement that, “….it hurts to make this decision. Our last show in Lebanon is still very vivid in our minds and hearts. We are looking forward to better days on which we will return to you in Lebanon.”

Within Temptation has released their seventh studio album, Resist, on Feb 01, 2019. The album contains guest appearances by singers Jacoby Shaddix (Papa Roach), Anders Fridén (In Flames), and Jasper Steverlinck (Arid) and was produced by their longtime producer Daniel Gibson. The album marks the longest gap between the band’s releases at five years.

Currently, the band is doing a series of concerts at summer festivals for promoting their album, which includes this year’s Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany. Lebanon’s Byblos International Festival was also a part of their tour.