Music, the Devil, Causes Shooting Blah Blah Blah (lyrics, drum)

sleepy jack · 11-11-2007, 11:12 PM

Metal News - Sturmgeist Comments On Finnish School Shooting ( Metal Underground . com )

Quote:

Sturmgeist's Cornelius von Jackhelln has issued a statement on the recent high school shooting in Finland:

"Today an 18-year old man shot seven people in a high school massacre in Tuusula, Finland. The killer referred to himself as "Sturmgeist89" on YouTube. Sturmgeist is not only the name of my band, but also of a character in the video game "Medal of Honor". As of yet, it is not established wherefrom the murderer took the name. Understandably, journalists keep calling me, eager to prove a link between my band and the massacre. However, as an artist, I can neither control the actions of my fans nor be held responsible for them."

"It is my firm conviction that if somebody wishes to go down as the cause of a massacre like that in Tuusula, explanations beyond music must be sought. In an interview with the Oslo-based newspaper Dagbladet today I argue that although extreme metal as a genre deals with topics such as isolation, misanthropy and despair, blaming the musicians is both wrong and unfair. It is people that kill people. Not music."

"Extreme metal has a potential both for social comment and personal katharsis, given its dealing with problems ordinarily shunned by mainstream society: suicide, madness, pollution, violence, warfare and drug abuse all occur regularly in extreme metal lyrics, mostly subject to critical scrutiny."

"I do recall how lonely and isolated I felt as a teenager, how strong an impact music had on my life. Extreme metal helped me channel my aggression in a constructive way; where Slayer's album "Seasons in the Abyss" described the psychology of a mass murderer, Cannibal Corpse's "The Bleeding" gave graphic accounts of extreme violence. Even though I adored both albums, I did not go out and kill people."

"Knowing the boundary between fiction and reality was always a prerequisite for dealing with dark matters in music, literature, film and video games. It seems obvious that the Tuusula murderer was ignorant about this boundary."

"The lyrics of Sturmgeist do contain topics both sinister and martial. Topics such as WWI & WWII ("Triumph", "Enigma"), the war in Iraq ("Shock & Awe", "Iron Hammer"), Viking battle ("Army of Odin"), a victim exerting revenge on his tormentor ("Ruger"). I readily admit it. Saying anything else would not only be a blatant lie; worse, it would be betraying the music I love and believe in."

"I am most shocked by the tragic event in Finland, and mourn the victims of the crime. I believe that the victims could have been alive today, if youngsters on the edge were given more attention by the proper instances. I extend my compassion and my condolences to the families of the deceased."

The Dave · 11-11-2007, 11:28 PM

The hell is Extreme Metal??

sleepy jack · 11-11-2007, 11:29 PM

The Dave · 11-11-2007, 11:35 PM

Scrubs sure does have a way of explaining things.

Wayfarer · 11-12-2007, 01:59 AM

Quote:

suicide, madness, pollution, violence, warfare and drug abuse all occur regularly in extreme metal lyrics

What, do they think extreme metal bands made suicide and warfare up? It's a fuckin' reflection of what's going on in the world around us.

...wait, what the hell? Pollution? I haven't heard that black metal song yet. Did Marduk cover the Captain Planet theme?

Urban Hat€monger ? · 11-12-2007, 12:02 PM

At yet if he went into the military & shot 7 people he'd be considered a hero.

Voice_of_the_Soul12,13,01 · 11-12-2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Dave

The hell is Extreme Metal??

This is a shot in the dark, but I'm guessing any genre of metal influenced by thrash and hardcore punk, more distortion int he guitars, harsh vocals, faster drum playing (blast beats, gravity beats, etc.).

I think people end up blaming things like this on music and other things because they don't understand, and it's kind of their way of coping with their lack of understanding.

"Why did he kill all those people?" "He listens to death metal." Easy, right?

boo boo · 11-12-2007, 03:55 PM

Music, TV and video games are always the ultimate scapegoats in these kinda things.

right-track · 11-12-2007, 04:01 PM

I blame Wagner for WW2.

The Dave · 11-12-2007, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voice_of_the_Soul12,13,01

This is a shot in the dark, but I'm guessing any genre of metal influenced by thrash and hardcore punk, more distortion int he guitars, harsh vocals, faster drum playing (blast beats, gravity beats, etc.).

They need to get a better name.

11-12-2007, 12:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
Urban Hat€monger ? The Sexual Intellectual Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Somewhere cooler than you Posts: 18,605	At yet if he went into the military & shot 7 people he'd be considered a hero. __________________ Urb's RYM Stuff Most people sell their soul to the devil, but the devil sells his soul to Nick Cave.

11-11-2007, 11:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
The Dave Me and The Major Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,830	The hell is Extreme Metal??

11-11-2007, 11:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
The Dave Me and The Major Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,830	Scrubs sure does have a way of explaining things.

11-12-2007, 04:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
right-track Atchin' Akai Join Date: May 2005 Location: Unamerica Posts: 8,723	I blame Wagner for WW2.