Bilmuri touring guitarist Reese Maslen has stepped away from the band following a series of serious and confronting allegations made public by a former partner.
CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses abusive relationships
The claims surfaced online earlier this month and detail alleged emotional abuse, racism, misogyny, intimidation, and coercive behaviour during their relationship.
The allegations were shared via a lengthy public statement, with the accuser explaining she came forward after “months of deliberation,” citing a responsibility to herself and others. Her account describes a pattern of behaviour she says included verbal abuse, manipulation, and threats, both emotional and psychological.
Days after the statement began circulating, Maslen announced his immediate departure from Bilmuri, issuing a public apology.
In his statement, Maslen said:
“I exhibited behavior on several fronts during a previous relationship that I deeply regret. I am so sorry not only to her, but to anyone else these behaviors have affected. At this point, I can only apologize and take the steps to be a better person for myself and everyone else in my life.
Effective immediately, I am stepping down from Bilmuri. I loved every second of my time with them, but it’s important that I take this time to work on myself.”
In her statement, Maslen’s former partner alleged repeated racist and misogynistic conduct, accusing him of hiding behind humour and misusing therapeutic language.
She wrote:
“You hide behind the persona of an immature ‘funny guy,’ making edgy jokes and feigning ignorance of the true meaning and impact of the words you use… You have attended just enough therapy to weaponize its language to your advantage.”
She also alleged fetishisation and racist remarks tied to her ethnicity, stating:
“Your infatuation with Japan and Asia has bordered on fetishization… Countless times you have made jokes at the expense of my ethnicity while touting casual racism.”
Other claims described alleged threats of self-harm, intimidation, and possessive behaviour:
“You have threatened to off yourself under the guise of a joke if I didn’t reply quick enough… You would name-call me and raise your voice at me when I questioned you and stood up for myself.”
One of the most confronting allegations related to a miscarriage, with the statement reading:
“The way you treated me during my miscarriage was abhorrent. You hung up on me during a crisis, called me an attention seeker, and said our baby was ‘gross,’ insisting that wanting to give them a proper burial was not ‘normal.’”
She concluded by clarifying that her allegations were directed solely at Maslen, not Bilmuri or any associated artists or companies.
At the time of publishing, Bilmuri have not released a separate public statement regarding Maslen’s departure.
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