In a world where even heavy metal isn’t safe from political correctness, Kyle Rittenhouse has decided to withdraw from his much-hyped appearance at Shell Shock II Metal Fest in Orlando. The controversial figure, whose name became synonymous with the 2020 Kenosha protests, pulled out after claiming the metal scene had “gone woke” in what he describes as one of the great tragedies of our time.

“It’s really disappointing,” Rittenhouse said in a statement that was part apology and part manifesto. “I thought metal was about rebellion, about freedom of speech, about sticking it to the man. But now it’s all about hurt feelings and making sure you say the right thing. Just sad metal went woke like that.”

The cancellation of Rittenhouse’s appearance came after several headlining bands, including Evergreen Terrace, Southpaw, and Let Me Bleed, pulled out of the festival. These bands cited Rittenhouse’s involvement as their primary reason for dropping out, with some suggesting that the metal community had no place for someone with such a controversial history.

Evergreen Terrace released a particularly scathing statement on Facebook: “We’re here to support veterans and first responders, not be part of a political circus. We cannot, in good conscience, perform at an event that promotes someone like Kyle Rittenhouse. This is about principles.”

Let Me Bleed also followed suit, with a slightly more nuanced explanation, emphasizing that they weren’t a political band and didn’t sign up for the drama. “Metal should be a place where everyone can express themselves, but that doesn’t mean we should be sharing a stage with someone who is polarizing the community. This just isn’t what we’re about.”

As the news spread and social media erupted, the backlash against the festival and Rittenhouse gained momentum. Fans of the event voiced their displeasure online, while others debated the merits of free speech versus the need to create a welcoming, inclusive environment.

One metal fan tweeted, “Look, I come here to mosh, not to get involved in a political argument. Keep the drama out of the pit. Metal’s supposed to be an escape, not a battleground.”

In response to the growing controversy, Rittenhouse announced that he would no longer attend Shell Shock II, citing the increasingly “woke” nature of the metal scene as the final straw.

“I didn’t come here to be part of this,” Rittenhouse explained. “I thought metal was about standing up for what you believe in, no matter what. But now it feels like even the metalheads are caving in to woke culture. It’s a shame. Metal used to be tough, used to be about defiance. Now, if you don’t say the right thing, they cancel you.”

He added, “This isn’t the metal I grew up with. Maybe I’ll just stick to listening to Metallica at home and leave the festivals to the snowflakes.”

While Rittenhouse’s departure seemed like a win for those boycotting the event, the fallout from his involvement continues to wreak havoc on the festival. Several headlining acts have now pulled out, and ticket sales have reportedly plummeted. Festival founder Tyler Hoover, who had initially defended Rittenhouse’s participation, is scrambling to fill the gaps in the lineup, even going so far as to book a Slipknot tribute band called SiC to replace the high-profile acts that have fled the stage.

Hoover, in a fiery Instagram post, accused the bands and fans abandoning the festival of being “fake metalheads” and “mentally fragile.”

“You’re not punk, you’re not hardcore, you’re not metal,” Hoover ranted. “You think you’re making a statement by ditching Shell Shock? Guess what—punk is dead because of you. Metal is dead because of you. You’re all a bunch of posers who can’t handle real freedom of speech.”

He continued, “We’re here to support veterans and first responders, and we won’t be silenced by some woke mob trying to cancel us. You think canceling Kyle Rittenhouse means you’ve won? You can’t kill the spirit of metal, and you can’t kill Shell Shock.”

The fallout from Rittenhouse’s involvement has exposed a deep divide within the metal community. On one side are the fans and artists who believe that metal should remain a space for rebellion and nonconformity, even if that means embracing controversial figures like Rittenhouse. On the other side are those who believe that the genre should evolve to reflect modern values of inclusivity and reject divisive personalities.

“I’ve been into metal for 20 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” said one longtime fan. “It used to be that you could listen to whatever you wanted, no questions asked. Now, you have to make sure the band aligns with your politics before you can enjoy their music. What happened to metal being about freedom?”

Others, however, see the controversy as a necessary step in the genre’s evolution. “Metal has always been political, whether people want to admit it or not,” said a fan on Reddit. “It’s time for the scene to reflect the values of its fans, and if that means saying no to people like Rittenhouse, then so be it. Metal has to grow up.”

As the debate over Kyle Rittenhouse’s involvement in Shell Shock II rages on, it’s clear that the metal scene is at a crossroads. Can the genre continue to be a space for rebellion and freedom of expression, or has it become another battleground in the culture wars?

For Rittenhouse, the answer seems clear. “I thought metal was the last place where you could just be yourself and not worry about offending someone,” he said in his statement. “But it looks like those days are over. Maybe it’s time to find a new scene.”

Festival organizers are pressing ahead with plans for Shell Shock II, despite the controversy and dwindling ticket sales. But as the metal community continues to grapple with the question of who should be allowed to participate in its spaces, the future of the genre remains uncertain.

At its core, the controversy surrounding Shell Shock II and Kyle Rittenhouse is emblematic of a larger identity crisis within the metal community. Is metal still about defiance, rebellion, and freedom of expression, or has it been co-opted by modern politics and the pressures of cancel culture?

For some, the answer is clear: metal must evolve, even if that means leaving some of its past behind. For others, the very idea of metal “going woke” is an affront to everything the genre stands for.

As the fallout from Rittenhouse’s canceled appearance continues to unfold, one thing is certain: the days of “just listening to metal” are long gone. Whether fans like it or not, the genre is now at the forefront of the cultural debates shaping modern society—and there’s no turning back.