According to Blabbermouth.net, EMPEROR guitarist Samoth will miss tonight’s performance at B.B. King’s Blues Club in New York due to problems getting clearance to enter the United States. Here’s what Samoth had to say:

“What can I say? As things stand today, I’m not allowed to enter the U.S. It’s an extremely unfortunate situation and totally out of my control. The reality is that I’m still waiting for a ‘waiver’ that apparently has to come from the Department of Homeland Security in the U.S. We have done everything we can and continue the dialogue with all agencies involved. It has been an exhausting and very costly process. I’ve had several visas issued in the past, and technically there should be no reason for them not to grant one now. We realize that this is a bit of a let-down for everybody involved, especially everybody who bought tickets to come and see the show tonight [July 13]. Please bear with us on this. The show will and must go on no matter what. Ihsahn, Trym, Secthdamon and Einar will fucking devastate! I will be there as soon as I have the go-ahead.”

Vocalist/guitarist Ihsahn issued the following response:

“This is a very unfortunate situation for all parts as everybody has been looking very much forward to this whole trip. I think, however, we owe it to ourselves and our fans to keep our spirit up.”

The band are also scheduled to play at B.B. King’s Blues Club tomorrow night and in Los Angeles on Sunday at the Key Club and Monday at the House of Blues.