…And Politic For All!

“…I’ve got to say: Metallica is not here, like other artists, to influence you with their bull…., okay? We are here… no bull….. we are here to forget all the bull….. outside, okay? The Metallica agenda is love, energy, and heavy music, baby!”
That was, more or less, the speech given by Metallica’s James Hetfield at one of the band’s concerts in Las Vegas a few days ago, which caused quite a stir, with people taking both sides on the well-known singer and guitarist’s remarks.
Depending on which side of the issue we’re on, Hetfield’s remarks may sound good or bad, but why would he say all this?
Perhaps the motivation lies in the more or less political statements that many bands make during their concerts, aligned with one ideology or another; what’s known as the famous “political stance”—but it’s surprising that a band like Metallica maintains a supposedly “apolitical” position when those of us with gray hair are well aware of the deeply political and social undertones in the band’s early lyrics. Someone who dared to suggest, for example, that justice is blind, unfair, and that its scales tip depending on how much money is involved—just as illustrated on the cover of one of their best albums, which we’ve chosen to kick off this new month. Perhaps the reasons lie elsewhere.
And we’re not going to pick on Metallica over whether or not they express political messages—or any messages at all. We don’t care about that, and everyone is free to express—or not express—what they feel or think. In fact, many so-called Christian bands are the first to proclaim their beliefs or ideologies. The problem lies elsewhere.
It’s not all that surprising that a band like Metallica maintains that, ultimately, it’s all about having a good time—Heavy Metal, let’s forget everything and yeaaaaah!!!! The question that arises is: is this what Heavy Metal is all about?
Metal has a characteristic that stems from its deepest roots, and that is that it’s not just a musical genre. Broadly speaking, it is, but it also has that extra something that sets it apart—and it has to do precisely with the message: the daily struggle we face, social, political, and religious criticism, resistance against power and injustice, and so on. It’s that message that makes many of us part of a band of warriors who fight this battle day in and day out in various aspects of our lives.
That’s why we identify with Metal, and we are those “soldiers in black”—as the ranks of Metal are often described, due to the distinctive attire that visually defines us.
Ultimately, Metal always goes against the establishment. Otherwise, yes, it’s just music, as Hetfield says—the leader of a band that long ago strayed from that path, and not just musically. It seems money tipped the scales…
And we defend that: Heavy Metal with a purpose, with a message. We’re not talking about partisan politics, which serves no purpose, but rather the very essence of Metal—standing against real power, against the game that the same old people always want to make us play.
We love Metal done right, with great musical and instrumental value. It’s something we always emphasize in our reviews, but the lyrical content is also part of Heavy Metal—and a very important part, at least for us.
Personally, it doesn’t bother us if someone starts giving a speech at their concert. If we don’t share the message, we listen and respect it. Nor does it bother us if someone decides to just play their songs and say absolutely nothing.
What does bother us—and perhaps few have noticed—is that attitude of wanting to “sell” Metal as a mere pastime. For us and many fellow brothers in Metal, that’s not the case. I think it’s time to realize that Metal without a message, without an attitude, without substance, becomes nothing more than a musical style—hollow, empty, devoid of content—like many musical expressions designed to entertain the mind rather than challenge it to think and break free from imposed mental constraints.
Of course, we respect all viewpoints, but to maintain the idea that Heavy Metal is just music for passing the time—and nothing more—couldn’t be further from the truth!!!
From its very beginnings, Metal has always taken a stand on various political, social, cultural, and even religious issues—if you want to look at it that way—but it has never been a genre for mere entertainment, nor will it ever be. Not as long as there exists that counterculture of thinking and doing things differently, on a different wavelength.
It’s also true that there’s a wide variety in the Lord’s vineyard—from bands that are clearly political or focus on social issues, to those that are all about dragons and castles, to those that address ecology, or White Metal bands, which generally have Christian themes in their lyrics but always take a combative stance, challenging minds and even the soul itself.
Of course, everyone is free to do or say whatever they want. That’s what freedom of expression is for, but it’s also true that Heavy Metal has a message, and that’s what it’s all about.
We have our own message, our own way of thinking and doing things. From a Christian perspective—because being Christians doesn’t make us any less “heavy,” quite the opposite. We’ll always support metal, and as we always say, from here, we promote the whole White Metal scene as well as local underground bands, because that’s what we’ve chosen to do and what we believe in.
A new month is upon us, and the year is almost over. As always, we thank everyone who follows and supports us. This takes a big toll on our pockets and our time, but it’s worth it. It’s worth staying on our feet and fighting on, and every message, every expression from those who follow us is a balm for the soul.
That’s why we thank everyone who, in any way, stands by us and follows us. Endless thanks—and above all, to God, for without Him, we could do nothing, and He is the one who sustains us day by day.
Don’t let partisan politics or the powers that be get under your skin. We’re all warriors in the same battalion. Never forget who the real enemy is, and don’t let partisan politics mess with your head.
May God and Metal be our banner… Long live the true warriors of Metal, and let’s keep fighting—the battle is a long one!!!!!
See you next month!!!