I suppose some Metal music leans to the left politically, I never really gave it much thought. When listening to Metal I want to escape politics, not embrace politics.
Came across an article at Consequence of Sound where there's a big controversy in Arkansas. Apparently some metal bands are playing at a club called Vino's and Arkansas State Senator Jason Rapert doesn't appreciate his image being used in a concert poster.
Seeing that before today, I never heard of Vino's, Jason Rapert, Phobia, Deadbird, or Seahag, I figured I should do a little homework.
First up, Mr. Rapert:
Boycott Vinos in Little Rock
Friends, I rarely share with you the hateful posts and pictures that extreme liberals make about me to torment my stand for better moral values. But this time I want you to see what they have done. They use my image on an event without my permission and they depict me “biting a baby” in my mouth. A wicked and evil depiction on an event entitled “Eyehategod”- Rapert on Facebook
I'm vaguely familiar with Eyehategod. They aren't an event, they're a metal band that's not really on my radar. But they've been around over a quarter century, so people shouldn't be surprised by their act. They're on the Century Media label and I, personally, prefer label-mate Strapping Young Lad, but I digress.
Mr. Rapert's post is wrong on so many levels that I actually have to side with Eyehategod on this one. I challenge Rapert to actually LISTEN to the band that he's criticizing and tell me their political views. Hell, tell me 3 words in a row that Mike Williams is singing in one of their biggest hits, "Medicine Noose."
(For the record, I think the song is about drug overdoses.) The promotional poster is simply funny, not a vast left wing conspiracy.
Then I checked out Phobia. I do not like Phobia. Listened to their single "New 4th Reich." They don't appear to be Trump fans, but when I listened, I didn't hear the liberal agenda. I heard "AAARRRGGH, ARRRGGHH, ARRRGH, SCREEEEECH, SCREEEECH, SCREEEECH, AAAARRRGGH, AAARRRGGH, AAARGGHU! Rapert would argue that Phobia is a leftist band based off of the Zombie-Trump illustration.
Phobia is the least pleasant of the 4 bands.
Talk about finding a diamond in the rough. Checked out the band Deadbird and listened to their single "Luciferous Heart." Pretty sure the lyrics of this song are steeped in despair, but that doesn't mean the song isn't a damn good song.
And, just because they're potentially singing about Lucifer doesn't make them liberals. Again, the theme of 2019 is that not all of your enemies are Satanists. Since they're from Arkansas, they're probably just having some fun at a local (controversial) politician's expense. Especially one not versed in the local music scene.
Not a fan of Seahag either. You can check out their EP, but you shouldn't.
There's the Sea Hags from the 80's that sounds like bad, glam Metal. That's a different band.
Some Smart Apple on Facebook replied to Mr. Rapert "Why would I believe someone who eats babies?"
Which made me laugh out loud.
I think I'm going to go back and listen to some more Deadbird. Or if you think I'm way off base, you can listen to the Pastor Jason Rapert and donate to his ministry.