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Earlier this week, Illinois-based American deathcore band Oceano was announced as one of the bands slated to perform in the upcoming America’s Rejects Tour, headlined by metalcore band Attila. The tour also featured Australian nu-metalcore group Dealer and English hard rock singer Nathan James, among others.
Amid this announcement, Oceano's frontman, Adam Warren, faced criticism. Fans and industry insiders pointed out how members of both Attila and Dealer have faced s*xual misconduct allegations over the last few years and raised eyebrows regarding the Illinois band’s collaboration with them.
Following the backlash, Warren issued a lengthy statement on the social media platform X, informing people about his decision to quit.
“Believe it or not, some people don’t spend their life on the internet. My only goal has been to take opportunities to push Oceano forward since the fans said they wanted it. You will not make me out to be a bad person for things I am not connected to, when it comes to what other bands’ members do,” he wrote.
Adam mentioned that his band distanced themselves from the concerned tour. He concluded the November 21 tweet by writing:
"I don't want to exist to YOU anymore. As of today, I quit Oceano and will focus on being a solo Independent Artist (Adam On Earth). Oceano's final shows will now begin being planned for 2025. It feels good to finally say that."
In brief, exploring the Oceano controversy
As soon as the news of Oceano joining the America’s Reject Tour became viral, it earned immediate backlash. For instance, Texas-based DIY record collective ds//fp records reshared the Illinois band’s tweet promoting the tour and asked Adam Warren how his band “signed onto a tour where people need to cover their drinks and watch out."
Without addressing the controversy directly, Warren shared how nobody should be “trusted” no matter their “social status” but rather should be “judged by their character and how they treat others.” He also assured that he would step up if something “bad” happened during the tour, adding that he was unaware of online rumors/allegations.
When ds//fp records pointed out that his reply was “dismissive,” Adam mentioned how he doesn’t “represent” anyone else and would never stand for anything bad happening to others. He added that he wanted “concerts to always be a safe place.”
When another X user commented that he was putting aside his “ethics for a buck,” the Oceano member responded by writing,
"How are my ethics put aside when I’m not involved in anything you’re referring to? I think your disappointment is misguided.”
He later defended the band’s decision to be on the America’s Reject Tour. Meanwhile, End It vocalist Akil Godsey also accused an Oceano member of refusing to use the n-word but performing at controversial tours.
Notably, John Arnold, the frontman of Australian metalcore band Alpha Wolf, and Ryan O'Leary, the bassist for Texas-based metalcore band Fit For a King, also called out those associated with the tour while not naming Oceano directly.
For those unaware, Aidan Ellaz Holmes, who’s now the frontman for Dealer, faced s*xual misconduct accusations in 2018. His former Alpha Wolf bandmates also made abuse allegations against him.
Attila singer Chris Fronzak faced similar allegations in 2020 but denied them. His bandmate and drummer Bryan McClure was also accused of r*pe in that same year.
Exploring further Oceano vocalist’s statement regarding the band’s future
In his latest tweet chain, Adam Warren shared that he “wasn’t aware of the depth of accusations with Attila and associates,” nor did he know the “details” of anybody else’s “business.”
“I remind you, Oceano was not active for a long time before now. I don’t even know anything about Dealer besides the band's name. I’ve heard when they first came out years ago. Didn’t they break up? I did not even know what any other bands on the tour would be beyond Attila until long after we agreed and no one in my circle cited any issues with our decision to take the tour,” he shared.
The lead vocalist of Oceano called out the critics and shared that before judging him and his “innocent band” for taking on a “decent opportunity,” they should question agents, managers, venues, websites, and others associated with the tour.
He further shared how he doesn’t support any kind of abuse or harm to anyone. However, he was also not “paying attention” to what others in the music industry were doing “personally” or online, as he didn’t have “time.” Adam slammed critics for not wanting to know about his “circumstances” or “perspective” until the recent drama.
"So, it is clear I was not informed enough to make a proper decision to tour with this package. I've never experienced bands causing such a stir and I was not made aware until announcing the tour of people with such serious allegations surrounding them being on a tour I'm going to be on. I encourage anyone who is directly affected by those people/bands to contact the authorities/ police and take legal action,” Warren wrote.
He complained that his “kind and positive” approach towards the music scene hadn’t helped and shared that Oceano was almost ready to disband after their album drop a year ago. However, upon fan requests, they decided to go on, which resulted in their names being dragged through the mud.
“I had ZERO idea my name is being tossed around alongside f**king people who have people accusing them of horrible things. And getting upset with ME, because I'm just hearing about it? In real time people swarmed me while I was still figuring out what was going on. Y'all are vicious and clearly seek chaos without care of who it affects,” he added.
The Oceano frontman noted that while he felt “blessed” to have the opportunity to make music and earn a fanbase, he has started to feel disconnected over the years as the music scene had turned into “a facade than a real concept in reality.”
Adam Warren hit back at social media users for making him the “scapegoat” and not contributing to the “culture” rather than pointing fingers and resharing rumors. He even asked the critics what they were doing to “change” the scene.
“As of today, it is clear I am WAY more surrounded by complicit industry people, a Metal 'scene' riddled with cosplay, worship of band members, and less focus on artistic integrity,” he concluded before sharing his decision to remove Oceano from the tour and subsequently quit the band in 2025.
Later, in response to a fan in the comments who asked whether the ongoing tour controversy influenced the decision to exit Oceano, Warren confirmed that it was a “long time coming.” However, he clarified that the latest experience made it easier and quicker for him to plan the departure.
Oceano reunited recently after seven years to release its sixth and final studio album, Living Chaos, in August 2024. Notably, all the original/founding members of the band have left. Lead vocalist Adam Warren is the longest-standing member who has been associated since 2007.
America’s Reject Tour is scheduled for March and April 2025, and its tickets went live on November 22.
