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Radiohead’s Strange Reason For Deleting Their Internet Presence

By Stacey Cole
Published on: 14:24 PST, May 10, 2016

Radiohead has erased its Internet presence, according to Entertainment Weekly. The shocking news came last Monday after the English rock band deleted all its Twitter and Facebook posts.

It was also noted by Radiohead’s fans that the band had been gradually reducing the opacity on its website until it assumed complete blankness. This blankness was interpreted by the band’s fans as Radiohead signaling its disappearance.

But rumors of Radiohead’s upcoming album continue circulating on the Internet, which is why it would be illogical for the band, which was formed in 1985, to disappear now.

Moreover, Radiohead’s frontman Thom Yorke also erased all his Twitter posts. The move comes shortly after Yorke tweeted to his followers that he was “as f***ed off as you are” about the complications with buying concert tickets to Radiohead shows.

But the good news is that Radiohead’s other members – guitarist Jonny Greenwood and drummer Philip Selway – didn’t erase their Internet presence. So what does it all mean?

Radiohead’s social media blackout comes shortly after British fans got their hands on leaflets with the Radiohead logo and text that said, “Sing the song of sixpence that goes ‘Burn the witch.'” The leaflets are believed to be referring to the band’s song that was released over a decade ago.

Reports allegedly citing Radiohead’s manager saying Radiohead would release their new album in June this year resurfaced in April. Although the news hasn’t been confirmed, it would be Radiohead’s ninth studio album and their first album since The King of Limbs, which was released back in 2011.

The man claiming to be the band’s manager also added that the new album would be “like nothing you’ve ever heard.” However, Radiohead’s reps later dismissed the claims, saying the man “plays no operational role” in the band although he has some affiliation with it.

Earlier this year, Radiohead announced its tour around the United States, which will include shows at Madison Square Garden and Lollapalooza. Their March announcement came shortly after reports that Radiohead had registered two new companies earlier this year. It should be noted that the band registered new companies before the release of The King of Limbs in 2011 and In Rainbows in 2007.

In fall 2015, Radiohead’s guitarist Jonny Greenwood hinted in one of his interviews that new music was on its way. And even though the band hasn’t been exactly active over the past five years, its members have progressed with their solo careers.

Radiohead’s frontman Yorke released album Amok with his alternative rock supergroup Atoms for Peace in 2013 and then one year later, he released his second solo album, Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes.

Radiohead’s guitarist Greenwood, meanwhile, wrote the original soundtrack for Paul Thomas Anderson’s films The Master and Inherent Vice. Greenwood also released his album alongside Israeli composer Shye Ben Tzur and some Indian musicians last year. Selway, meanwhile, had his solo album released two years ago.

But apparently, there is nothing to worry about. Radiohead hasn’t disappeared from the music world in the blink of an eye, according to The Guardian. The band’s decision to erase their Internet presence was a move to promote their new song titled “Burn the Witch.”

Radiohead’s “Burn the Witch,” which seems to be the first track off their upcoming album, first appeared on the band’s official website last Tuesday afternoon. The song was accompanied by an animation video.

Radiohead’s fans have already noted that the band’s return is both dark and claustrophobic, but that’s exactly the kind of return they have expected from their favorite band. Well, now the fans are waiting for Radiohead to either confirm or dismiss reports about their upcoming album.

[Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images]

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