Cursed Earth Officially Part Ways With Jazmine Luders, Issue Statement

16 February 2018 | 3:34 pm | Staff Writer
Originally Appeared In

"Regarding Jaz, The situation is very complex, with a lot of sides and differing opinions so we'll try to boil it down to what we know first hand" - Cursed Earth.

"Regarding Jaz, The situation is very complex, with a lot of sides and differing opinions so we'll try to boil it down to what we know first hand" - Cursed Earth.



Update: Hanna James, the ex-girlfriend woman who made the original Instagram story about her relationship with Luders, has released her own statement, which you can read below: 

Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter

"This is the only statement I have made since my initial Instagram story.

I was initially contacted to make one but declined, the statement released that was mentioned had and have no relation to me, but rather another woman coming forward. I would like to note that the fact multiple people have come forward was not mentioned in any statement.

I would like to start this statement by informing the public that it was never my intention to have anyone removed from Cursed Earth and I never thought that would ever be a possibility. I have been supportive of the band and Jazmine's part in it since day one, and continued to support her career even after the relationship ending. I helped the band excessively in their early days in multiple aspects. My only intentions from making that Instagram story was to break the silence of the long period of abuse I endured at Jazmines hand. Her fame and success were held over me in regards to me coming forward with constant torment, saying no one will ever believe me and no one will care because she’s now famous and an 'international face of hardcore'. This was said to me so many times it actually became my belief. I endured many people turning on me because of the tainted recollection of our relationship by Jazmine and many others. I do not blame her friends for supporting her, as the things they were told about me made me seem truly malicious and violent. In return I chose to keep silent to my own friends and family as I did not want her to seem like a bad person.

In October 2017, Jaz and I regained contact. We talked and hung out on a few occasions until late December when her lies unravelled and her manipulating and abusive ways were brought to light once again, threatening me with harm once again stating 'watch out' and she now 'knows where I live'

I wanted to finally set the record straight, never did I think this would go as far as it has.

I would now like to make a few points regarding the matter;

Firstly that I never stated that I haven't been in the wrong at points, I have never denied that I have made inappropriate decisions. I have always admitted that I have done hurtful things to Jaz- in retaliation to hurtful actions by her. It’s no secret that our relationship was troubled from the start, but this is not the abuse I was mentioning in my Instagram post. The abuse endured at jazmines hand, especially in the last year or so of our relationship was pure malicious, manipulative, abusive, and violent. By the point of July 2016 I was afraid for my life to the point I had to escape my home while she chased after me. I tried to hold on but one day I looked at myself in the mirror, weighing 43kg and what felt like more bruises than skin. If I tried to leave Jasmine would black mail me with suicide and active self harm, at times taking all identification and money I had so I cannot leave. Many friends, mine and hers, witnessed the aftermath of these attacks and Cursed Earth band member Kieren Malloy lived with us for an extended period of time and witnessed not just the aftermath of the abuse but the level of Jazmines mental health extensively.

Jaz and I have a very long and troubled history but I would like to finally put this to rest. I had no idea of the coverage my post would get when I made it and again it was not made in revengeful elaborate plan to have her removed. I wish both Cursed Earth and Jasmine luck in their future endeavours.

I would like to thank the people whom have supported me throughout this time."

[Original article as follows]. 

With Cursed Earth pulling out of Perth's HyperFest this month and Download Festival Melbourne in March, and after releasing this prior statement, the rising WA metalcore band have released a full statement regarding the allegations of abuse against vocalist Jazmine Luders.

Taking to Facebook earlier today to discuss the matter more, Cursed Earth stated their perspective on the relationship between Luders' and her ex (whom brought these accusations to light in December 2017), the boundaries they set for their vocalist as a result of her home life and past issues, and their decision to now move on without her. You can read the band's full statement below:

"Regarding Jaz, The situation is very complex, with a lot of sides and differing opinions so we'll try to boil it down to what we know first hand.

In 2015/2016 Jazmine was involved in a deeply dysfunctional and abusive relationship. Both girls were very often emotionally and verbally abusive to each other.

During this time we saw Jaz being physically attacked by her partner on multiple occasions, we came to the conclusion that while she was guilty of unacceptable and hurtful behaviour, she was also a victim of violence. At this stage, we don't trust either of the people involved to tell a complete recollection of the story but we can offer that we have never seen Jazmine instigate physical violence. These events were not a secret and were relatively common knowledge among people who knew Jaz.

Based on that factor, we decided to allow Jazmine to continue with the band after the relationship ended, under the condition that she follow a clear set of boundaries on her personal behaviour in future relationships.

In January this year we learnt that she had started hanging out with this ex-partner again and they had inevitably had a fight which led to the online accusations. This seems to us to be designed to hurt Jaz and is an extension of the abusive nature of that relationship. We were also made aware of verbally abusive behaviour to a mutual friend that breached these boundaries so the decision was made the move on without her.

We’ve always taken pride in this band providing a lifeline from Jaz’s dysfunctional home life and giving her something to work towards. Unfortunately this personal growth is now something she will have to approach alone and we hope that this will be a catalyst for that.

We’ve been taking time to connect with those who have been involved, recoup and move forward.

We’d also like to thank those people who have given us time to treat this situation with the respect and thoroughness it deserves, as well as our friends, management and label for their support."

Luders also issued her own statement in that above post, stating that she's taking responsibility but that the accusations against her were neither "full or accurate", as well as thanking the guys in Cursed Earth for their time, love and support over the years and saying how this has all been "a humbling and eye opening experience". Read her side of the story below:

"In light of the recent allegations against me, I would like to state that the information provided has not been full or accurate. To provide all context necessary would be to divulge more aspects of my personal life, especially that surrounding my mental health and subsequent mismanagement of it, and the involved parties lives, then I am comfortable in disclosing publicly.

Over the last few weeks I have taken time to step away from a lot of negative influences and reflected on my actions. Looking back on the last few years from a position of clear, level headedness and mental stability (something I have not possessed for a long time), I can see that my reactions to hardships in my life have at times been unacceptable and damaging to the people around me. Some of my relationships have been pushing me towards positive outcomes that I was unable to see or pursue, while others were actively isolating and driving me into darker places. I have chosen now to take accountability. Where possible and appropriate, I have made an effort to apologize for my behavior and mend my relationships with those effected. This has been a humbling and eye opening experience but one that has been necessary for my own self improvement and growth.

The boys in Cursed Earth have been very supportive over the last few years getting me to a space with my mental health where I am capable of talking of these issues candidly. I regret that this has proven very costly to their growth and progress. Whilst we have chosen to part ways, we harbor no ill will towards each other."

There has been no word on when exactly Cursed Earth will return to playing live shows and releasing new music nor who will now step in as their new vocalist, but we expect that news to all come in time.