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For once, a Guns N’ Roses show isn’t happening and it’s not the band’s fault. The Hell and Heaven Metal Fest, which was set to take place this coming weekend just east of Mexico City, has been canceled by the Mexico state government for apparently not having adequate safety plans. However, fans and the show’s organizers are crying foul, stating that discrimination or corruption is behind the sudden cancellation. 50 bands, including Guns N’ Roses, KISS, Korn, Rob Zombie, Lamb of God, Suicide Silence, Opeth and Carcass, were set to play the Fest, which was set to attract 70,000 to 80,000 people.
Mexico state government sent 300 riot police on Friday to surround the fairgrounds, claiming there wasn’t enough planning for fire safety, evacuation plans and fireworks. However, concert organizers claim that the same fairgrounds are used for the Texcoco International Horse Fair, which draws a similar amount of crowds, but isn’t a metal festival. Combine that with the fact that Mexico is still pretty socially conservative, and local residents are leery of the metal audience, and you’ve got a case. Texcoco spokesman Francisco Vazquez believes the town is being discriminated against for political reasons.
