Black Metal [insert goathorns]

[Palmares]

So in the last while I've really been getting into black metal. A genre that I had a general distaste for, mainly due to it's link to questionable racist sentiments.

However, due to long conversations with black metalheads, and also possibly through my listening to my one link to black metal (Iskra, blackened crust band), I started to one, deconstruct the myths surrounding black metal, and then also start to develop a real appreciation for the serene majesty of the art of black metal.

Anyway, I also love to find music that fits my politics.

Anyone know many radical left black metal bands? Or maybe even just good in general? If the band has good politics, love it if you would point it out and/or elaborate.

I've been listening to:

Iskra
Darkthrone
Burzum
Blut Aus Nord
Wolves in the Throne Room
Abyssos
Immortal
Weakling
Ulver
Gorgoroth

and others, to differing degrees.

I've also noticed, maybe the more radical left type black metal seems to come from the US (Canada?), especially the pacific northwest. The kinda green anarchist trend of black metal perhaps.

Oh, and if anyone knows quite specifically that a given black metal band has really dodgy politics, I'd love to know. I know some of those Norwegian bands, though musical talented, are questionable.

Cheers

[Dóchas]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJkMrl4AG8w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTpQOZcNASw

ill add a few if i can think of any more ;)

[LeninBalls]

Pretty generic, standard black metal bands. However I'll add to the list.

Xasthur
Leviathan
Silencer
Satanic Warmaster (INSANELY SHITTY NAME, but fuck the music is good)
Twilight
God Dethroned (More of Blackened-Death)

The ones without brackets are generally the really atmospheric, dark stuff.

[Post-Something]

I thought Burzum and Ulver were fascists?

[Palmares]

I dunno about Ulver, but from my researching, all I understood about Burzum was that the guy is kinda insane, and also into that weird Nordic Odinist type shit. Not a nazi per se. But then I also hear he wasn't like this on his first two albums or whatver, and just today I read his racism (other bigotry too?) doesnt permeate into his music.

I dunno, I for a long time avoided them thinking Burzum were nazis too, and still, I don't really listen to them that much.

[Palmares]

Seriously? Noone listens to black metal...? :confused:

[Skin_HeadBanger]

I like some blackened death metal. Emperor, Goatwhore, Behemoth.

[AlMack]

i like it with a bit of melody, emperor in particular.
sick of having to check bands' politics tho i know what you mean

[teenagebricks]

I used to listen to black metal because I found it funny, but now I really like it.

Funeral Throne
Sigh
Euronymous/Dead era Mayhem
Gallhammer
Nattefrost

I've not really listened to any leftist black metal. Burzum has been involved with a couple of allegedly fascist organisations, but I don't know if he actually is a Nazi or what.

[AlMack]

he is, but hes such a comedy nutjob you cant even take him seriously

[Skin_HeadBanger]

Hellhammer/Celtic Frost is pretty ballin, too.

[Invincible Summer]

Don't think these are "tr00 KVLT BM" but I like Emperor, Behemoth, Akercocke and Dimmu Borgir


I thought Burzum and Ulver were fascists?


I dunno about Ulver, but from my researching, all I understood about Burzum was that the guy is kinda insane, and also into that weird Nordic Odinist type shit. Not a nazi per se. But then I also hear he wasn't like this on his first two albums or whatver, and just today I read his racism (other bigotry too?) doesnt permeate into his music.

I dunno, I for a long time avoided them thinking Burzum were nazis too, and still, I don't really listen to them that much.

Burzum is pretty much just one guy - Varg Vikernes. And yeah, I'm pretty sure he's a fascist. Lots of BM is pretty Aryan.

Hell, there's a whole field of BM called "NSBM" or "National Socialist Black Metal." (http://www.nsbm.org/)

[Palmares]

I'm quite aware of that sub-genre of black metal. But according to wikipedia, actual NSBM isn't something that relates to Burzum, for example.

NSBM bands are relatively unknown.

And with this whole Norweigen fixation in BM, definitely Aryan. But I'm sometimes glad to see BM bands tour South America for example, as that tells me that given band is fash.

[TheFutureOfThePublic]

So in the last while I've really been getting into black metal. A genre that I had a general distaste for, mainly due to it's link to questionable racist sentiments.

However, due to long conversations with black metalheads, and also possibly through my listening to my one link to black metal (Iskra, blackened crust band), I started to one, deconstruct the myths surrounding black metal, and then also start to develop a real appreciation for the serene majesty of the art of black metal.

Anyway, I also love to find music that fits my politics.

Anyone know many radical left black metal bands? Or maybe even just good in general? If the band has good politics, love it if you would point it out and/or elaborate.

I've been listening to:

Iskra
Darkthrone
Burzum
Blut Aus Nord
Wolves in the Throne Room
Abyssos
Immortal
Weakling
Ulver
Gorgoroth

and others, to differing degrees.

I've also noticed, maybe the more radical left type black metal seems to come from the US (Canada?), especially the pacific northwest. The kinda green anarchist trend of black metal perhaps.

Oh, and if anyone knows quite specifically that a given black metal band has really dodgy politics, I'd love to know. I know some of those Norwegian bands, though musical talented, are questionable.

Cheers

Euronymous (Oystein Aarseth) was a massive supporter of communism.He joined a communist youth league called Red Youth / Rød Ungdom.So Mayhem i would advise.Appart from that you should just do some research for yourself and discover new bands and theyr beliefs

[Agrippa]

Burzum


Wolves in the Throne Room


Ulver

\m/

[Chapter 24]

I've got a friend who only listens to black metal. Well, death, too. It's fucking nuts how into it he is. Ask him about any early Norwegian black metal band and he could probably name each album they produced. His favorites include Gorgoroth, Burzum, Bathory.
He also changes beliefs everyday - from atheism to Norse paganism to theistic Satanism.
Lol

[Skin_HeadBanger]

He also changes beliefs everyday - from atheism to Norse paganism to theistic Satanism.
Lol

Sounds like my drummer! :laugh:
Except he hates most black metal, but absolutely loves death and grind.:thumbup1:

In reality, he's just another atheist out to piss of and get a rise out of christians... like me.:lol:

[Palmares]

I saw Wolves in the Throne Room a few months back. Pretty rad.

Been getting into alot more black metal lately. Especially focusing on the American green anarchist type stuff, as opposed to natioalist stuff.

Panopticon and Skagos for example. Altar of Plagues from Ireland.

There's some famous communist (ex-Anarchist?) black metal from Russia too. Forgot their name...

[Palmares]

For all those communists out there:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awz4XE7S49E

Is working? If not: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awz4XE7S49E

[Agrippa]

Oh, and the complete story on Varg's (the guitarist, bassist, drummer, and vocalist for Burzum) political affiliations:

He claims he is not a national socialist because he is opposed to all forms of socialism, even at the national level. He says he believes in "Scandinavian democracy". he is, however, very racist, misogynistic, anti-Semitic, and homophobic. However, the lyrical themes of Burzum, thankfully, address none of these topics, but rather, focus on reverence for nature, fantasy themes, (esp. The Lord of the Rings) and criticism of Christianity and materialism. His lyrics are quite beautiful, and despite being a jackass, his writings are intelligent and informative.

However, there's no doubt which side of the class-war he's on. In addition to murdering Euronymous and burning down the Fantoft stave church, (two violent acts I can somewhat sympathize with) he also murdered Øystein Aarseth for being a homosexual and tried to gas an anarchist/anti-fascist squat in Oslo called the Blitz House.

So, like Wagner, a brilliant artist and intellectual, but also a dangerous asshole.

[chimx]

I see wolves in the throne room every now and then. they play in seattle fairly often. I recommend the band I Shalt Become if you want something a little more experimental.

[Tomhet]

Burzum
Mayhem
Darkthrone
Bathory
Peste Noire
Judas Iscariot
Wolves in the throne room
Panopticon
Iskra
Xasthur
Nachtmystium
Silencer
Leviathan
Mutilation
Vlad Tepes
Moevot
Dodheimsgard
Nyktaglia
Beherit.

My favorite genre of music

[Tomhet]

Euronymous (Oystein Aarseth) was a massive supporter of communism.He joined a communist youth league called Red Youth / Rød Ungdom.So Mayhem i would advise.Appart from that you should just do some research for yourself and discover new bands and theyr beliefs
He wasn't actually much of a commie, He supported people like Stalin and Mao because he believed that they caused 'evil', or 'hatred of the human race'. He liked the idea of gulag and people dissapearing. It's pretty unlikely that Oystein actually knew what he was talking about.

[ZeroNowhere]

In no order of significance:
Behexen (especially the split with Horna)
Horna (see above)
Belenos
Belketre (split with Vlad Tepes)
Vlad Tepes (see above, I didn't really like their other work that much)
Blut Aus Nord
Dissection
Glorior Belli
Inquisition
Hellveto
Limbonic Art
Ne Obliviscaris (well, kinda black metal)
Negură Bunget
Ondskapt
Necromantia
Obtained Enslavement
Primordial
Paysage d'Hiver
Vinterland
Tyrant (yeah, another one)
Solefald.

I have no idea about the political affiliations of the members of those bands.


In addition to murdering Euronymous and burning down the Fantoft stave church, (two violent acts I can somewhat sympathize with) he also murdered Øystein Aarseth for being a homosexual and tried to gas an anarchist/anti-fascist squat in Oslo called the Blitz House.Wait, so in addition to killing Euronymous, he... Killed Euronymous?
Also, has the church burning thing actually been proven?

[eyedrop]

Oh, and the complete story on Varg's (the guitarist, bassist, drummer, and vocalist for Burzum) political affiliations:

He claims he is not a national socialist because he is opposed to all forms of socialism, even at the national level. He says he believes in "Scandinavian democracy". he is, however, very racist, misogynistic, anti-Semitic, and homophobic. However, the lyrical themes of Burzum, thankfully, address none of these topics, but rather, focus on reverence for nature, fantasy themes, (esp. The Lord of the Rings) and criticism of Christianity and materialism. His lyrics are quite beautiful, and despite being a jackass, his writings are intelligent and informative.

However, there's no doubt which side of the class-war he's on. In addition to murdering Euronymous and burning down the Fantoft stave church, (two violent acts I can somewhat sympathize with) he also murdered Øystein Aarseth for being a homosexual and tried to gas an anarchist/anti-fascist squat in Oslo called the Blitz House.

So, like Wagner, a brilliant artist and intellectual, but also a dangerous asshole.Lot's of Varg's image is largely created by the media, together with a demonisation of the DM scene, but yeah he isn't really a great guy.

I'll grab out some quotes from a recent interview (http://www.dagbladet.no/2009/07/04/magasinet/innenriks/kriminalomsorg/kirkebrann/drapsdom/7051663/) with him;

Vi kalte oss satanister fordi death metalmusikerne som regel var svært så samfunnsengasjerte og svært negative til satanisme.
"We called ourselfes satanists because DM musicians usually was very enganged in society and very negative to satanism."

I tend to believe his version as it fits my involvement in the norwegian BM scene, but i can't say I got any idea how it was in Bergen in the 80'ties.


Jeg har aldri vært nazist, og er det heller ikke nå. Det er bare tull at jeg har startet rasistiske propagandagrupper. "I've never been a nazi, and still isn't. it's just bullshit that I've started racists propaganda groups."


Den satanismen jeg kunne lese om i media hadde slett ingenting med denne forståelsen eller meg å gjøre, eller med noen av de andre i miljøet å gjøre for den saks skyld. "The satanism I could read about about in the media didn't have anything with my understanding of satanism (the opponent to the norm), or anyone else in the BM scene."




— Men jeg har mine klare holdninger. Jeg ser at det går til helvete med dette landet — og jeg prøver å ikke bli dratt med. Dette er ikke lenger Norge. Vi er i ferd med å bli erstattet av fremmede, både kulturelt, religiøst og genetisk sett. Ta en titt på befolkningen vår i dag, og sammenlikn den med den vi hadde for 50 år siden. Here is how shows himself to be xenophobic; "But I have my clear views. I see that it goes to the hell with this country - and I'm trying to not get dragged down with it. This isn't Norway anymore. We are being replaced by strangers, both culturally, religiously and genetically. Take a look at the population today and compare it to the population we had 50 years ago."


In my time in the BM scene in Norway I can't say I've seen much racists, nazists or satanists, I've seen much more outside it.

[kharacter]

When they arrested Varg, they found he had a ton of explosives collected, and he said that he was planning on using them to blow up a leftist club. And he's not just xenophobic, he's a racist. They asked him why he uses synthesizers when it was invented by a Jewish person, and he made up some bullshit answer cause he didn't want to surrender the synthesizer-use, but his anti-semitism was clear in his statement. The only reason, he said, that he is not a nazi is because he "doesn't believe in socialism".

Maybe the reason I feel so much animosity against him is because I used to be a fan (back when I didn't understand political things)

[eyedrop]

When they arrested Varg, they found he had a ton of explosives collected, and he said that he was planning on using them to blow up a leftist club. And he's not just xenophobic, he's a racist. They asked him why he uses synthesizers when it was invented by a Jewish person, and he made up some bullshit answer cause he didn't want to surrender the synthesizer-use, but his anti-semitism was clear in his statement. The only reason, he said, that he is not a nazi is because he "doesn't believe in socialism".

Maybe the reason I feel so much animosity against him is because I used to be a fan (back when I didn't understand political things)

I'm not really disagreeing that he is a racist, one of the quotes I posted shows it quite clearly.

"But I have my clear views. I see that it goes to the hell with this country - and I'm trying to not get dragged down with it. This isn't Norway anymore. We are being replaced by strangers, both culturally, religiously and genetically. Take a look at the population today and compare it to the population we had 50 years ago."

[kharacter]

yes, you're right, I guess i perceived a leniency that was obviously not there, my apologies.

In addition to all this, I remember I saw in Global Metal (didn't like it, because Sam doesn't really seem to care about corporate globalization, or at least is ignorant about it) that he communicated with two (i think it was) Jewish black metal musicians saying that he thought their music was great, but it was "too bad they were Jewish". The musicians responded angrily, and so he sent them a bomb, which thankfully was discovered on the way there.

[Andrei Kuznetsov]

(throws up the horns)

The only kind of metal I can really tolerate- and what a history behind it! Lords of Chaos is one of my favorite books about rock history.

[Dimentio]

I like Borknagar.

Otherwise, I appreciate more melodic metal like Equilibrium.