How White Supremacists Are Using Black Metal to Promote Hate

[prozak]

From Tablet Magazine:

Twenty years on, black metal itself is inescapably influential and multifaceted but also embroiled in a kind of tumult exercised by the warring parts of the music’s trajectory; this struggle may be best exemplified by the simultaneous respect and scorn heaped onto the figure of Varg Vikernes, one of the founders of black metal’s Norwegian second wave. No fan of black metal underestimates the influence of Buruzm, Vikernes’ primary musical project, but just as frequently the man is mocked for his shifting philosophy and attempts at Viking play-acting on film and in interviews. Vikernes’ legacy has been intensely scrutinized, and while this one man takes the brunt of criticism, other actors have cemented a bridge between white nationalism and black metal more successfully (and more quietly) than he. National Socialist Black Metal, or NSBM, is parasite that feeds on that part of black metal steeped in bigotry and violence.

http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-arts-and-culture/music/156896/black-metal-antichrist-kramer?all=1

Wow.

 

[Krow]

Almost 2014
Metal still considered evil
Oh well

 

[crimsonfloyd]

Good, well writen article, but this really isn't news. NSBM is nothing new.

Bands like Nyogthaeblisz who aren't outright NS but still spout anti-semitism annoy me because they conflate anti-monotheism with anti-semitism. Judaism is both an ethnicity and a religion. You can be opposed to the religion without attacking the ethnicity by glorifying the Holocaust, etc. Unfortunately, a lot of people are too dense to make that distinction.

 

[Kara-Shehr]

It amazes me that no one sees the hypocrisy of people becoming offended by bm bands writing anti semitic music/lyrics but don't have a problem with bm bands writing anti christian lyrics/songs. I personally don't fucking care either way but I just notice double standards sometimes. People are ok with songs about rape, necrophilia, murder, killing christians ect ect but racist ideologies are just too much for some people to stomach.

 

[crimsonfloyd]

It amazes me that no one sees the hypocrisy of people becoming offended by bm bands writing anti semitic music/lyrics but don't have a problem with bm bands writing anti christian lyrics/songs. I personally don't fucking care either way but I just notice double standards sometimes. People are ok with songs about rape, necrophilia, murder, killing christians ect ect but racist ideologies are just too much for some people to stomach.

There's a massive difference between opposing a religion and opposing a race.

Christianity is a choice. Being a (religious) Jew is a choice. They are ideologies, values and metaphysical beliefs that people can chose to accept or reject.

Being a biological Jew is not a choice. And there are plenty of atheist biological Jews who reject the metaphysics and even the values of the Jewish religion.

But I mean personally I don't really care too much when it comes to just listening to the music. I listen to a number of NS and anti-Semitic bands. When it comes to black metal its easy enough to ignore the ideology and focus on the mood, emotion and music.

 

[Vamos]

I listen to a number of NS and anti-Semitic bands. When it comes to black metal its easy enough to ignore the ideology and focus on the mood, emotion and music.

Fair enough, but what about buying the albums and other merchandise from these bands as well as going to their gigs? Surely the idea of separating the ideology from the music holds no water here. Couldn't it be said that you (not you in particular) are actively giving financial support to people who hold and openly profess a racist ideology in their music? Wouldn't this encourage them to keep at it?

 

[crimsonfloyd]

I wouldn't go to their shows because I don't think it would be safe as someone who is half-Jewish. I usually only buy records second hand anyway, so usually I'm not directly supporting the artist but even when I do buy from a label with NS bands I don't think it's the end of the world. I support freedom of speech and think everyone has the right to boice their opinion, regardless of how ignorant and uninformed so views are. And if they've decided to put their ideology into action through criminal violence then they're gonna do that regardless of record sales. The few bucks they get from me purchasing their album isn't gonna have a bearing on that.

 

[Carpe Mortem]

Music is art, art is metaphorical and entertaining. I am of ashkenazi jewish descent, anti semitism doesn't offend me. Neither do movies about pedophilia. If the dudes who made said art really feel that way, I still frankly don't give a shit, because George Carlin is fuckin hilarious despite me disagreeing with some of the shit he says.

 

[Nephilim96]

It amazes me that no one sees the hypocrisy of people becoming offended by bm bands writing anti semitic music/lyrics but don't have a problem with bm bands writing anti christian lyrics/songs. I personally don't fucking care either way but I just notice double standards sometimes. People are ok with songs about rape, necrophilia, murder, killing christians ect ect but racist ideologies are just too much for some people to stomach.

Keep in mind, the article was from a Jewish magazine.

 

[Nephilim96]

Being a biological Jew is not a choice. And there are plenty of atheist biological Jews who reject the metaphysics and even the values of the Jewish religion.

I wouldn't go to their shows because I don't think it would be safe as someone who is half-Jewish. I usually only buy records second hand anyway, so usually I'm not directly supporting the artist but even when I do buy from a label with NS bands I don't think it's the end of the world. I support freedom of speech and think everyone has the right to boice their opinion, regardless of how ignorant and uninformed so views are. And if they've decided to put their ideology into action through criminal violence then they're gonna do that regardless of record sales. The few bucks they get from me purchasing their album isn't gonna have a bearing on that.

I'm an atheist half-Jew (I have Ashkenazi ancestors from Ukraine, Romania, and Austria on my mother's side), and I agree with you for the most part. I will gladly listen to anything, no matter how controversial, and I also support the freedom to express one's beliefs. But if I liked an NS band that was in town, I'd consider going, as I don't look or seem Jewish.

 

[The Butt]

Oh look an article complaining about NSBM, oh joy.

 

[Lateralus14]

Oh look a deformed humanoid with a butt for a face, oh joy.

 

[Nephilim96]

^You are slowly becoming one of my favorite posters.

 

[Lateralus14]

haha thx and no u cant have nudes

<3

 

[Nephilim96]

Hey now, I'm no Hamburger.

 

[Lateralus14]

I was trying to break down social barriers with a semi-awkward comment though

 

[Kara-Shehr]

There's a massive difference between opposing a religion and opposing a race.

Christianity is a choice. Being a (religious) Jew is a choice. They are ideologies, values and metaphysical beliefs that people can chose to accept or reject.

Being a biological Jew is not a choice. And there are plenty of atheist biological Jews who reject the metaphysics and even the values of the Jewish religion.

But I mean personally I don't really care too much when it comes to just listening to the music. I listen to a number of NS and anti-Semitic bands. When it comes to black metal its easy enough to ignore the ideology and focus on the mood, emotion and music.

You're right there is a difference and I feel the same way about the music but that's not the point I was trying to make. My point was that BM and extreme metal as a whole really has prided itself in being as offensive as possible. No subject matter is off limits or too offensive for lyrical content, song titles, album covers ect. Things like rape, murder, extreme acts of violence, gore and deviant sexual behaviors are glorified (which I don't have a problem with). And we've also seen in the past that with some musicians that this is more than just shock value with church burnings, murders and rapes. We listen to this stuff all of the time and are totally ok with it hell we're more than ok with it, we often fucking love it and can't seem to get enough of it. Why is hating someone because they're black or jewish or whatever suddenly more dangerous than half of the shit described in the average cannibal corpse song? I'm sorry I don't see anyway to condone what NSBM bands advocate or promote in their lyrics without being a hyprocrite.

Edit: Which when I think about it now you I think you already pretty much agree with me there, I'm not trying to lecture you just make my point clear.

 

[crimsonfloyd]

I feel like you're trying to make several points and I don't quite see how they all connect, but I think the comparison to gore lyrics in death metal is a weak one. How many of those guys are actually going out and butchering people and fucking corpses. Probably none. Its fantasy lyrics for the most part. NS lyrics on the other hand tend to be really serious.

 

[Kara-Shehr]

Nevermind.

Edit: I suck at cohesive persuasive writing just ask my persuasive writing teacher from last semester.

 

[Carpe Mortem]

You're right there is a difference and I feel the same way about the music but that's not the point I was trying to make. My point was that BM and extreme metal as a whole really has prided itself in being as offensive as possible. No subject matter is off limits or too offensive for lyrical content, song titles, album covers ect. Things like rape, murder, extreme acts of violence, gore and deviant sexual behaviors are glorified (which I don't have a problem with). And we've also seen in the past that with some musicians that this is more than just shock value with church burnings, murders and rapes. We listen to this stuff all of the time and are totally ok with it hell we're more than ok with it, we often fucking love it and can't seem to get enough of it. Why is hating someone because they're black or jewish or whatever suddenly more dangerous than half of the shit described in the average cannibal corpse song? I'm sorry I don't see anyway to condone what NSBM bands advocate or promote in their lyrics without being a hyprocrite.

Edit: Which when I think about it now you I think you already pretty much agree with me there, I'm not trying to lecture you just make my point clear.

Yup agreed. Lyrics are lyrics. There's extremists in every subculture. Like that insufferable blonde cunt from the GWAR interview on Jerry Springer.