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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I think there's some value in the music. Some of that stuff is obviously odious, but it's a definite part of the black metal "thing" - the fact that the individuals comprising the bands are often rather ****ing weird/insane/racist/****ed-beyond-belief.
Weirdly enough, I can enjoy Burzum's music fine, while obviously discrediting his beliefs and his actions (the murder, etc). With a band like say, Skrewdriver, though, it can't be done. The sociopathic nature of black metal is integral to its appeal I think - and in no way should listening to any music mean that you endorse the band's beliefs and actions, although I guess it often does. I think it's so inherent to black metal that it's easy to look past when listening to it, or at least it is for me. And there are also plenty of black metal bands who never engaged those activities you mention, too.
I often wonder how seriously some of the bands took what they did - surely some weren't entirely sincere with the whole satanism/nihilism thing? It's something I've considered doing - starting a parodic black metal band. The shows would be so fun.
I'm sure some of those "kvlt" guys (rarely girls) would take issue with some of that, but that's the perspective of someone who prefers other music but listens to some black metal too.
And, no matter what you think, I wouldn't get too down on your national identity based on a fringe scene of lunatics that existed in the 90s
