Quote:
Originally Posted by Briks
I have now gone to despising the black metal scene completely. Murders, black masses, church burnings, assaulting five-year olds with axes, and torture. All of those have been done by black metal musicians. I know it doesn't apply to all black metal musicians, but it's part of defining the scene, and it does not help make me proud of being Norwegian. I don't even think I should worry about the lyrics of Slayer and Mercyful Fate anymore. Sure, they write about evil, but Burzum keeps the lyrics clean while commiting murders and burning down stave churches, so what does it matter?
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If you look hard enough, I'm sure you can find musicians in most genres who have committed crimes. But why would that make you boycott that particular genre of music altogether?
There have been several high-profile documented crimes by black metal musicians, yes. And yes, in the early nineties there were lots of church burnings. Black metal almost seemed to be given an identity within this bleakness. The infamy associated with this imagery does sometimes seem to help a band stand in a good stead in terms of developing a small but cult-like fanbase. You don't have to subscribe to this imagery and history of church burnings and black masses to call yourself a black metal fan though. The fact is it accounts for a minute percentage of what the genre has to offer. Much in the same way that if you don't like the neo-nazi stuff then don't listen to it, and if you don't like the church burnings then don't listen to Burzum, Emperor etc. Especially if you struggle to separate the crimes from the music.
Given some of the other stuff you've specifically mentioned, I'm assuming you're referring to Nattramn and Gaahl, as well as Varg and Faust. As I said, there are criminals in every walk of life. First of all, as far as I'm aware, there actually isn't any proof that the alleged axe assault of Nattramn even ever happened, is there? I mean, nobody knows who he is and if he's even anything other than a persona. Theres no proof that that story is anything other than a myth. Unless I'm mistaken, and if I am then please correct me. Why would it be a myth? Why would it be made up? Infamy and the obvious rewards of playing up to the reputation the scene has. As far as Gaahl, Varg and Faust go, just don't listen to Gorgoroth (and God Seed, but thats mainly just because they're ****), Burzum or Emperor etc.
Plenty of bands do adopt the imagery and the infamy of the second wave,and specifically play up to it. To be fair, I often find myself disliking a lot of that stuff anyway, because it strikes me as music made by poseurs. But if you're gonna despise an entire genre due to the actions of some, you're surely gonna miss out on a lot of good music in a genre you must hold some love for. It also shouldn't make you any less proud of your nationality, just because a handful of dickheads responsible for this stuff just happen to be born in the same country as you.