Politics in Metal

[commandante]

I know, I don't post here regularly, but I am stalking a lot and am a devout reader of Royal Carnage. As far as I know there are a lot people with different tastes hanging out in this forum, so I thought there is a good chance of someone to come up with some "politic" metal recommendations, preferably thrash, death or metalcore. I think Lamb of God is a pretty good example of what I like in this kind of metal, but I struggle to find similar bands, mostly because of my lack of knowledge especially in more obscure bands... So can someone recommend me something?

 

[Nate The Great]

Are you looking for a band similar to Lamb of God in politics or sound? If you want one similar in sound, try Byzantine. They actually got signed to Prosthetic Records (LoG's old label) because of Lamb of God. They are pretty similar in sound. I won't go on until you tell me if I'm going in the right direction with this response.

 

[commandante]

I know Byzantine and really like their music, but didn't have a look at their lyrics so far... I mean, I mainly look for bands similar in their politics, but I guess it wouldn't hurt for those bands to be similar both in their politics AND sound

 

[Nate The Great]

Lamb of God is basically left-wing/anti-government. Take your pick from almost any band out their right now. It's the new fad.

 

[commandante]

ok, so basically can you recommend me some left-wing/anti-government bands? I am pretty ignorant about those kind of bands...

 

[NAD]

but I am stalking a lot and am a devout reader of Royal Carnage.

Thanks! And yes I've seen you stalking, but I recognize your Carcass quote every time you post.

Sepultura and Sacred Reich are my favorite political groups, more anti-corruption than anti-government though I suppose. Ultra left wing stuff normally pisses me off so I'm not the best source.

 

[Nate The Great]

I'm not really into reading lyrics, but these bands have exactly what you're looking for in their ideals and lyrics.

The Hidden Hand
Curse of the Golden Vampire
Burnt By The Sun

You will probably like Burnt By The Sun the most of all those . . . well they would be the most similar to Lamb of God in sound, I guess.

 

[commandante]

It is time I listen to some Sepultura, can you recommend some albums?

edit: I mean I know their "hits" like "Refuse, Resist", "Arise", "Policia", but never actually listened to any of their albums...

 

[commandante]

Thanks for the recommendations so far, keep 'em coming!

 

[Nate The Great]

It is time I listen to some Sepultura, can you recommend some albums?

Chaos A.D. is probably a DIRECT influence for bands like Lamb of God. Beneath the Remains would also be somewhat similar in sound. The albums before those two were a little more on the death metal sound. I also happen to like Roots. Don't get anything after Roots, though.

 

[NAD]

Burnt by the Sun is good, I don't know / care about their political affiliation though.

As for Sepultura:
Beneath the Remains and Arise for thrash (some of the best ever, both are essential).

Chaos A.D. for a more commercialized approach, but this is one of my favorite albums ever.

Roots is great too, very rhythm oriented and tribal sounding if you will. This one gets mixed opinions in the metal community (some call it nu-metal ), but I happen to love it.

 

[J.]

you can always go with the NSBM bands for politics.

For some hardcore type bands, Biohazard and BoySetsFire are very anti-gov't.

 

[Nate The Great]

I meant Arise when I said Beneath the Remains above.

NAD and I agree that you must get Chaos A.D., though. Your life depends on it.

 

[JayKeeley]

Some people think Roots is 'nu-metal'? I've never come across that being said, but damn those people! Damn them to hell!

Being such a devout Sepultura fan, I don't actually mind the stuff post-Max Cavalera, although I've not heard the latest album. In any case, I would echo what's already been said: Beneath the Remains and Arise are two of the greatest thrash albums ever, but if you want more of a straight up & political edge to it, get Chaos AD. Roots is fantastic, but not everyone likes the tribal patterns I guess.

Not sure about other left wing/anti government bands right now, but I can tell you to avoid shite like M.O.D (or Billy Milano in general). Let's just say that he probably belongs to the 40% of the population that thinks all terrorism is finished with now that we captured Saddam Hussein. Oh and he also thinks that Afghans are Arabs...

The metal community is a haven for liberals and independents anyway. You won't find many artists who are pro-government. Well, except maybe Iced Earth.

 

[NAD]

 

[Papa Josh]

Personally, I love S.O.D.'s "Bigger Than The Devil," but you have to have a sense of humor about it lyrically. Musically, it was one of my faves from Nuclear Blast when it was released.

As far as other "political" metal bands...

LIVING COLOUR (their latest is very political in areas)

But in all honesty, I haven't heard a lot of politics in metal since the heyday of thrash.

There's a whole chapter from that era.

 

[JayKeeley]

S.o.d >>>>> M.o.d

 

[JayKeeley]

pwn3d by caps filter...

 

[Black Winter Day]

man i hate billy milano's "politics"...

i'm basically a left-winger, but i don't give a shit what bands are singing about as long as the music is good. the most obvious liberal band is rage against the machine (whose first album is great, might i add); stuck mojo are pretty good even though they are right-wing assholes , but most iced earth (and all things schaffer) eats cock.

 

[Demonspell]

I'm very left leaning and I usually don't mind politically priented lyrics, but I just wish that some bands took a closer examination of the issues instead of saying things that basically amount to "crush the Christian enemy!" or "Bush is worse than Hitler!" Not that either is far from the truth...