You may think that title sounds sensationalized, but I assure you it’s an understatement. Metal band Cradle of Filth were forced to abandon their headlining slot at UK metal fest Bloodstock this past weekend because a fan was hurling—what are best described as—giant, possibly deadly versions of the candy popularly known as Everlasting Gobstoppers, aka jawbreakers.
The band actually carried on for most of the gig, while they saw what singer Dani Filth thought were apples flying across the stage. Not until guitarist Paul Allender was struck in the spine, did they realize the danger of the situation and call off the set. To get the full gist, you should really read parts of the band’s statement:
This person threw what were being sold at the site as ‘gobstoppers’, but which were actually heavy, solid, pieces of candy, approximately the size of a cricket ball and weighing close to a pound, at the band. Approximately 6 of these were thrown, one narrowly missed hitting Ashley in the face and also a terminally ill young fan in a wheelchair sitting side of the stage, a couple just missed Dani and then one hit Paul in the spine, causing him to collapse.
Dani Filth added:
I actually thought one of the balls thrown was an apple and was going to head-butt it as it flew past my head and on toward Ashley, then luckily thought twice about it. The missiles were the size of cricket balls but solid and almost a pound in weight. Enough to kill a person at that speed, according to a medic who attended Paul behind stage.
Paul Allender was hospitalized for suspicion of possible spinal cord injury, but he was later released after doctors cleared him of lasting injuries.