Whitechapel has introduced that they are going to not be a part of their deliberate Latin American tour with Thy Artwork Is Homicide this fall. Followers in Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina will as a substitute see Thy Artwork Is Homicide carry out solo. The choice stems from vocalist Phil Bozeman’s have to prioritize his psychological well being as he works by means of the challenges of petering out a long-term antidepressant and the uncomfortable side effects of the withdrawal.
Bozeman shared the tough information in a heartfelt assertion on November 26, expressing gratitude to followers whereas explaining his state of affairs. “To all of our Mexican, Costa Rican, Colombian, Chilean, Brazilian, and Argentinian followers. We remorse to tell you that we are going to not be embarking on this tour resulting from psychological well being considerations concerning myself. I can be okay however I want time to get proper for myself, my fiancé, household, mates, and all of you. Your assist is immeasurable. Thanks all a lot for every thing. Right here’s to strengthening and therapeutic. Care for yourselves and by no means keep silent in your psychological well being. It’s our basis for all times. OUR FRIENDS IN THY ART IS MURDER WILL STILL BE PLAYING THESE SHOWS. YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THEM. GO AND SUPPORT OUR FRIENDS!”
In a video accompanying the assertion (transcribed by ThePRP), Bozeman opened up additional, sharing his historical past with psychological well being medicines and his present struggles as he transitions off Zoloft, a drug he has relied on since his teenagers. Reflecting on his traumatic childhood, he spoke candidly about dropping his dad and mom at a younger age and the way these occasions formed his psychological well being journey.
“What’s happening everybody, Phil from Whitechapel right here. I wished to make this video — this unlucky video — to handle our Mexican, Costa Rican, Colombian, Chilean, Brazilian, and Argentinian followers. We sadly won’t be embarking on this South American tour that we had deliberate.
And lots of chances are you’ll know, I’ve had a traumatic childhood; I’ve been on psychological well being medicines since I used to be a teen. I began to return off of them as a result of I wished to. I wished to strive to not depend on remedy months again.
And it has had a really dangerous impact on me. I [have] been having psychological well being points. I’ve been on Zoloft ever since I used to be a teen. For these of you who don’t know, the childhood I’m speaking about is my dad passing away after I was 10 years outdated, after which my mother passing away round 5 years later from drug abuse and…
Yeah, and from an early age, I used to be placed on Zoloft. And that principally numbed me for 30 years. And I had tried to return off this remedy earlier than, and that didn’t go properly. I attempted to cease chilly turkey, and that simply didn’t work in any respect. However I attempted to do it once more lately, and I did it the fitting method. I tapered off.
And, yeah, it appears as if… It’s not making me essentially worse, however I simply haven’t felt… as a result of I’ve been numbed for 30 years, and coming off of it like the way in which I’ve, has been the wholesome method, however it’s additionally include penalties.
And I’ve not felt issues I ought to have felt in these previous 30 years. And it [has], you realize, actually affected me [I’m] very, very emotional. And I’m gonna strive to not choke up on you guys right here.
I don’t need to make this too long-winded, however in a nutshell, sure, I’m simply coping with some psychological well being points, and I simply want time to appropriate all of this.
And to all our South American followers and Mexican followers and, yeah, getting on a airplane and touring time and again and over day-after-day simply looks as if hell to me proper now. I’m simply coming to you as only a regular individual. I’m only a regular individual, identical to all of you. And yeah, I simply… With the love and assist of all the fellows within the band, my household, and my fiancée, I’m going to appropriate this.
And [I] need to get higher for not solely myself, and my household, and mates, but in addition for you guys, in order that I can proceed to carry out on the stage that’s anticipated of me. And, yeah, it’s, you realize, on this steel group, we, lots of us, discovered steel due to, you realize, having our personal psychological well being points, and that was the identical for me.
And yeah, it’s, it’s an actual factor. And I encourage all of you who could also be coping with stuff like this —or no matter psychological well being problem that you simply’re coping with — is that you simply, you do search assist, you do discuss to individuals you don’t simply preserve it in. I’ve made that mistake loads, and simply don’t make that mistake.
Speak to individuals in your life, professionals. Psychological well being is the muse of our life. It’s what dictates our high quality of life and the general well-being of, of life basically. And yeah, I don’t need to sit right here and lecture you guys on every thing.
I’m certain you guys already know. It’s simply, I simply suppose that you simply guys in Mexico and South America as a complete deserve to know and know why we aren’t coming down there. And simply to everybody world wide which can be followers of us, that you realize what is going on proper now.
And I recognize all of your guys’ assist, and we’ll get by means of this. And thanks guys a lot for the assist. It’s simply… it’s on the highest of my pedestal as to what I recognize, you realize.
So, yeah, I don’t need to take up any extra of your time, [I’m] simply gonna undergo a psychological well being journey proper now and get higher. And [I] recognize you guys. Love you guys. And once more. Simply, simply discuss to somebody, if it is advisable to, and don’t ever conceal it or maintain it again. It’s not value it.”
The outpouring of assist from followers, bandmates, and the broader steel group has been immense, with social media feedback flooded with messages of affection and encouragement. Bozeman’s vulnerability is solely a reminder of the significance of addressing psychological well being overtly, particularly in a style and group that always attracts energy from shared struggles.
