A Collection of Beatles Oldies were to sever ties with their longtime manager, Brian Epstein, and instead be represented by Allen Klein. Fans of the band were disappointed by the announcement that, in a break from the tradition established in 1963, the Beatles were not playing any UK shows over the Christmas period. On 10 November, four days after 200 fans had demonstrated outside Epstein's home in central London, newspapers reported that there would be no further concert tours by the Beatles. Although Epstein voiced support for the Beatles' continuing evolution as artists, highlighting the advances they had made with their August 1966 album "Revolver",
Weapon (album) Sylvester said that "Weapon" was the band's best effort since 1992's "Last Rights". Also writing for "Exclaim!", Laura Wiebe gave the album a positive review, highlighting its focused employment of electronics and how it focused on rhythm. Michael Davis of "Head Full of Noise" awarded "Weapon" a perfect score, saying that Skinny Puppy "achieve a fluid and solid combination of their older style with the new" and that it "works and sounds beautiful." Ogre's vocals were especially lauded for returning to the lacerating, abrasive quality of the band's earlier albums. Some publications considered "Weapon" Skinny Puppy's best effort since reforming