Bulgarian Metal Band Angers Singer with 20th Anniversary Compilation
Former Rainbow singer Joe Lynn Turner slammed the release of Brazen Abbot's 20th anniversary CD/DVD as "unauthorized" and a "homemade bootleg."
European rock band Brazen Abbot released its debut album Live And Learn in 1995, which has prompted Bulgarian founder and guitarist Nikolo Kotzev to compile a 20th anniversary CD/DVD release to celebrate the group’s two decades in existence. But that decision has angered longtime collaborator and former Rainbow singer Joe Lynn Turner, who took to his official Facebook page to excoriate the release.
“I am shocked and disappointed at such unethical practice by Mr. Kotzev and feel this is a direct ‘stab in the back,'” Turner wrote. “I have never seen this DVD and was not aware of the fact that Mr. Kotzev decided to release this DVD on his own without any regard or respect to me. This is unacceptable and appalling!”
The release, which is on sale now via the band’s website, is comprised of 15 songs across the band’s five studio albums, while the DVD is culled from a live performance in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Brazen Abbot famously used multiple singers on each of its studio albums; Turner contributed vocals to all but the band’s debut and served as the group’s main singer when it performed live. Turner wrote that he’s investigating legal action over the release, calling it “unauthorized” and a “homemade bootleg.”
“I will ask you all to share this information with everyone to support all true artists who still keep the integrity and standards in this crumbling music industry,” Turner wrote. “Your choice is the only decision that can make a difference.”
Kotzev declined to comment for this story when reached by email. Read the full statement from Turner below.
Attention to all!I have just been made aware of a “Brazen Abbot” CD/DVD 20 years compilation release. I am very…
Posted by Joe Lynn Turner Official Page on Monday, December 28, 2015