Worm Infested...banned from shelves.

[Russell]

On the other hand, I agree strongly with demiurge in that, although it is indeed true as Russel says that us minority can't exect the same consideration geared towards mass public, it isn't fundamentally or necessarily RIGHT that the mass public should automatically be considered the authoritative body that dictates what should and should not be seen or done about things.

May I point out that my comments were entirely based on this case, and were not a general statement of my beliefs. I think my argument in this case applies because the cover is designed to shock and be offensive, and as such the majority has a right not to see it if they see fit..

As far as I'm concerned I'll take any individual case and decide whather the majority should be seen as the authoritative body on the basis of that situation, there is no general - this is right and that is wrong.

I personally believe that there should be no such censorship, because the public IS NOT suited to the individual, and there has to be space for the individual somewhere because the only person we know and control is ourselves.

I too don't believe in censorship in any way, but in a situation where those who may be easily offended/shocked can't help but be in contact with sed extremity, it doesn't seem unreasonable to make some effort to ensure this won't happen. I mean, to provide a non offensive slipcase, to not stock an offensive product (as long as it is readily available elsewhere) or to provide clear warnings isn't censorship, as you are not changing the cover, just making it less likely to offend.

 

[AjDeath]

... and for someone against "pushing views" on other people, you sure do seem to enjoy doing just that, judging by your posts in other threads/forums.

To give you credit, I read some of the things I have been writing in these forums lateley and found some of it to be a bit over the top, and pushing my world view. Sorry, I get angry and say shit, but my views still stand.

Censorship is not good in any form-IDEALLY. But in todays society where instead of people taking blame for their own actions, products and entertainment get shouldered with the burdens of human weakness and responsibility. So precuations should be taken, not censorship, a sleeve would have done the trick.

 

[Ol' Dirty Bastard]

When someone tries too hard to push the envelope and do things with the intention of offending people, no one should be surprised if it's banned or censored. The idea of "if you don't like it, don't look at it" sounds nice and all, but the fact is people DO take offence to certain things, especially when the blatant purpose of the article is to offend or shock. If someone were to approach a group of black males and call them "my pals", is it within reason that he be pissed off over their violation of his right to free speech by beating the shit out of him afterwards?

There are certain things that the public at large, especially children, just shouldn't be subjected to. Scat porn, pictures of Robert Mapplethorpe with a bullwhip shoved up his ass, and, perhaps, even Cannibal Coprse album covers are examples of this. Behind closed doors to the volunteering mind it's fine, but it shouldn't be displayed in public places.

I guess I agree that a plain covered sleeve would have been the intelligent thing to do. Then again, maybe Metal Blade released it as-is in an effort to generate interest in CC's lagging career by creating pre-manufactured contoversy.

 

[Griff7272]

hey man, what part of Mississippi are you in? I'm in the Jackson area.

 

[AjDeath]

I guess I agree that a plain covered sleeve would have been the intelligent thing to do. Then again, maybe Metal Blade released it as-is in an effort to generate interest in CC's lagging career by creating pre-manufactured contoversy.

Good point, their career is lagging, but IMO they still put out decent music, it may not be mind blowing but they play what they like and this comes across in their music I think, they may not be pushing the envelop anymore(or ever) but at least they are playing metal. A sleeve would have been nice, their core fans buy their cd's nowadays, so why try to generate controversy when none was to be had before? Still, i will have to buy this.

 

[SculptedCold]

what's this pre-maufactured controversy? CC have always had very explicit and violent covers showing in stores, in fact, their covers have gotten less violent as time's gone on, and Gore Obsessed was widely released in a plain slipcase that hid the actual artwork...and at least half of the other extreme metal bands in high street stores have explicit artwork also.....your point is rather redundant ODB.

 

[Ol' Dirty Bastard]

what's this pre-maufactured controversy? CC have always had very explicit and violent covers showing in stores, in fact, their covers have gotten less violent as time's gone on, and Gore Obsessed was widely released in a plain slipcase that hid the actual artwork...and at least half of the other extreme metal bands in high street stores have explicit artwork also.....your point is rather redundant ODB.

Since you speak of "high street" stores, I'm assuming you're talking about Britain? Over here, in America, you'll almost only find "censored" versions of CC's albums in mainstream stores (Eaten... is an exception, Butchered at Birth has a plain white cover and I think there's an offer inside to send away for the uncensored version, Tomb of the Mutilated just shows one of the zombies from the back as the cover, The Bleeding is missing the melted bodies on the back, Gallery of Suiside has a picture of a castle or something, the one after that just has a close up of the thing on the fronts face and I forget what came after that but it too was censored). Occasionally there'll be an unedited version, but ususally those are only found in privately owned shops. As for other artists with "explicit" artwork, they're usually not too easy to find either. If they do make it into mainstream record stores, they'll either be censored, or obstructed, like the black cover to Carcass' Wake Up and Smell the Carcass or the big fucking sticker on the cover of Tristania's Beyond the Veil. Even so-called mainstream artists have to do this. I remember some stores banning a Goo Goo Dolls CD because some people thought that the jelly on the kids face looked like blood.

As for the pre-manufactured controversy thing, I've noticed that CC's career has been on the decline lately as they can't seem to draw a decent crowd at smaller venues than the places they were able to fill up 5 years ago. I figure that maybe since people haven't really reacted to their artwork since maybe their second album (as they have all been available to the mainstream in more sanitary packaging since then), they decided to just let this one go as-is if they could stir anything up. And look what happens. An entire state has apparently had the album banned. What better way to drive up sales and garner attention again than to get something banned? It worked so well for the Sex Pistols.

 

[SculptedCold]

ah fair enough yes, i've noticed some CC albums have censored covers....but i've also seen as many of each album that was uncensored here. meh, moot point though, I understand ye.