English musician Martin Walkyier is asking fans for help, after a series of very unfortunate happenings, as described in Martin’s words below:

“It’s seldom that I write on here to share my grief & anguish, but when I do you can rest assured it is with the very best of intentions at heart. In February 2014 I planned to play 4 Martin Walkyier’s Viking Funeral UK & Dublin shows, at which I personally planned to play for free a set of classic SKYCLAD tracks together with my friends from the amazing Italian band ELVENKING – as I had already done with them in Russia & Holland in 2013.

I’ve known these guys for the last 15 years, and naively thought that they were true friends who had been inspired & influenced by my Pagan outlook upon life. They recently signed with the German booking agency All Access Entertainment who quite reasonably asked for 50% of Elvenking’s performance fees up front. This money £1666.00 GBP was duly transferred on 24th January 2014, with the remainder to be paid upon completion of the shows. £830.00 GBP of this money was loaned by Eve Walkyier, my 80 year old mother from her hard-earned life savings, not because she is either rich or stupid, but because she trusted her son Martin to get the money back whilst also collecting for the charity Cancer Research UK.

Four days before the shows were due to take place All Access emailed me to say that Elvenking would not board the aeroplane unless 100% of their fees, a further £1600.00 were paid up front – sadly this was impossible, as no venue will understandably release any ticket sale money until the concerts have taken place. Elvenking had their flights already booked, but sadly didn’t even bother to get on board the aeroplane for some unknown reason. Even though I BEGGED them to play and PROMISED them they’d be paid & well looked after in the UK.

My mother Eve wants her money back. She’s not a promoter, she’s 80 and doesn’t even like metal music that much. She’s heartbroken about the whole fiasco. Elvenking naively seem to think that they’re rock stars since signing with All Access – but everyone you meet on the way up you’ll most certainly see again on the way down. PLEASE could you guys help me get my mother’s money back? I’m weakened by the whole event – I only wanted to play some free shows and raise some charity cash for Cancer Research UK – It wasn’t meant to end this way! HORNS ABLAZE!”