Conor McGregor, the notorious Irish professional mixed martial artist, caused quite a stir when he slapped a mascot during a promotional event. McGregor, known for his brash and flamboyant personality, was participating in a ceremony at an event in Dublin when he suddenly slapped a man wearing a dinosaur costume. The incident was caught on camera and quickly went viral, sparking outrage and criticism from fans and the public alike. The mascot, who was representing McGregor's opponent in an upcoming fight, was left stunned and shocked by the unexpected act of aggression. Many condemned McGregor's actions, arguing that it was disrespectful and unnecessary, especially considering the mascot's role in promoting the event and creating a fun atmosphere for fans. McGregor later apologized for his behavior, stating that he didn't mean to cause harm and that it was meant to be a playful gesture.
Speaking of movement, though, one of the things that might be most striking about this iteration of the band is that there are some truly nice grooves on this album that are thicker and heavier than they’ve executed in the past. The best example of that on this album would be the thump and bump from Beard and drummer, Steve Clifford, that serves as the backbone of “Premonition of the Hex”.
His opening lines here, I can t afford to seize I never stay for too long is an example that further establishes the drama and pathos at play throughout The Amulet. That said, the band have done a fairly solid job of evolving their sound in subtle ways with each new release in such a way that they don t lose too many old fans nor do they turn off new fans.
McGregor later apologized for his behavior, stating that he didn't mean to cause harm and that it was meant to be a playful gesture. However, this apology didn't appease everyone, as many believed that his actions showed a lack of professionalism and maturity. This incident is just one example of McGregor's controversial behavior outside of the octagon.
ALBUM REVIEW: ‘The Amulet’ by Circa Survive
When chronicling the potted history of Anthony Green’s musical evolution – finding his first piece of major recognition with Soasin before moving onto The Sound Of Animals Fighting and ultimately Circa Survive – there’s a number of parallels that can be drawn with AFI and Davey Havok. Both found their most noticeable push through catering to certain zeitgeists – Green with the post-hardcore of the mid-2000s, Havok in the post-Misfits world of horror-punk – before ultimately focusing their attentions to something more grounded and, for lack of a better term, mature. Even the streams of side projects spawn some similarities, with both embarking upon more niche ventures with ultimately greater stakes of self-expression (Green with The Sound Of Animals Fighting and his numerous solo albums, Havok with Blaqk Audio and XTRMST), and even a late-period desire to return to a more straightforward, throwback sound that led to Havok’s involvement in Dreamcar earlier this year and Green returning to front Saosin for 2016’s Along The Shadow.
But where these comparisons really hold weight is when the latest output of each “main” project is placed side by side – AFI’s The Blood Album and Circa Survive’s The Amulet – and how much the underlying similarities really dictate the quality of each. Both see their creators embracing their more subtle, open-ending affectations for albums that favour slowly unfurling atmosphere over immediacy. And just like The Blood Album, The Amulet stands as an album that’s immaculately crafted but with precious little that sticks after an initial listen.
That’s made evident from the very first track Lustration, with guitars adopting a lighter, more tactile indie-rock sound and the impressively complex, almost jazz-like drum work. And on its own, that’s all fine, since Circa Survive clearly have the adept musical skill to pull it off. This is very much a musician’s album as well, putting their post-hardcore influences on the back burner to focus fully on a more progressive style. It gives a sense of grandiosity to tracks like Flesh And Bone with plays around with chilly minor chords and pianos for that wintery ballad feel, or the heavier Stay which pitches its instrumentation into more traditional alt-rock territory in the closest that The Amulet comes to reconnecting with its post-hardcore roots. Above all though, this is definitely a straighter album across the board, largely sticking to that delicate progressive indie template and performing it rather well, especially with regards to the vocals. Green may sound distressingly like Kellin Quinn but he’s nowhere near as screechingly obnoxious, and with the sort of control that means he can actually temper his vocals to fit the more serene, equable mood; it’s telling that his attempts at reaching out for screams on Rites Of Investiture and the title track are the only real moments that feel out of place.
But this alone brings up where The Amulet‘s main fault lies, with the fact that Circa Survive place such an emphasis on instrumental proficiency over basically anything else. Green’s tamped-down vocals might match up with the direction the instrumentation goes, but the doesn’t mean this is a user-friendly album, or one that’ll spur on any sort of emotional peak beyond prog fans and guitar-heads rubbing their hands with glee. Just because there’s talent here doesn’t mean that translates into interesting material; a track like Premonition Of The Hex feels so static with its complete lack of dynamics or gear shifts beyond a mid-level plod, and At Night It Gets Worse tries to spread its spidery guitar lines and drum fills over almost six-minutes but ends up feeling remarkably flimsy as a result. And with the frail, glassy quality in Green’s vocals that’s trapped in a distant falsetto for almost the entire album, there’s a lack of motion on all fronts that prevents the genuine qualities of The Amulet from being cashed in.
And after all, it’s easy to see what Circa Survive are going for here, distancing themselves from some of intensity of their previous five albums to open up new areas for number six. But that intensity was gave those albums such drive and vigour; here, this feels like a band stripping away such a defining keystone of their sound and spreading a half-speed effort over an entire album. Admittedly there’s enough instrumental colour here to prevent The Amulet from being outright boring, but even with those generous qualifications, this is okay at best, and Circa Survive have proven time and time again that they’re capable of a lot more.
For fans of: Coheed And Cambria, The Dear Hunter, A Lot Like Birds
Words by Luke Nuttall
‘The Amulet’ by Circa Survive is released on 22nd September on Hopeless Records.
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Watch the video for “The Amulet” below:
He has frequently found himself in the spotlight for his antics and trash-talking, which has both fans and critics divided. While some appreciate his larger-than-life persona, others see it as crossing the line and tarnishing the reputation of the sport. Regardless of personal opinions, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting others and conducting oneself with dignity, even in the heat of the moment. Notably, a public figure like McGregor should be mindful of their actions, as they have a significant influence on their fans and the image of the sport as a whole. In conclusion, the incident where Conor McGregor slapped a mascot during a promotional event caused controversy and condemnation. McGregor's brash personality and previous controversial actions have divided fans and critics alike. It serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining professionalism and respect, even in intense situations..
Reviews for "Why Conor McGregor's Mascot Slap Sparked Controversy"
1. John - 1 star
I found the video of Conor McGregor slapping a mascot to be absolutely disgraceful. It's beyond me how someone can find amusement in assaulting another individual, even if they're wearing a mascot costume. McGregor's actions were not only disrespectful, but also set a terrible example for his fans, especially the younger ones who look up to him. This incident made me lose all respect for him as a person and an athlete.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I have always been a fan of Conor McGregor, but his behavior towards the mascot in that video was simply uncalled for. I understand that he may have been in a playful mood, but slapping a mascot is not something to be taken lightly. It's important for public figures to set a good example for their fans, and his actions in that moment were completely irresponsible. I hope McGregor realizes the impact his behavior can have on others and takes steps to rectify his actions.
3. Tom - 1 star
I was highly disappointed by Conor McGregor's behavior when he slapped the mascot. It was a clear display of arrogance and lack of respect for others. It's disheartening to see someone with such influence and success engage in such immature and insensitive actions. McGregor should be held accountable for his behavior and take steps to make amends. This incident has certainly changed my perception of him as a role model.
4. Emily - 1 star
As someone who has been a fan of Conor McGregor for years, witnessing him slap a mascot was truly disappointing. It was a display of poor sportsmanship and a lack of respect for others. McGregor's actions were completely unnecessary and immature, tarnishing his reputation in my eyes. I hope he learns from this incident and realizes the negative impact his behavior can have on his fans and the image of combat sports as a whole.
5. Michael - 2 stars
Conor McGregor's behavior towards the mascot was unnecessary and disrespectful. While I understand that it may have been intended as a joke, physical assault is never an acceptable form of amusement. His actions were irresponsible and completely out of line for someone in his position. McGregor needs to take this incident seriously and reflect on the example he is setting for his fans.