i just read an article on torturing of inmates of, say, guantánamo bay and american prisons in iraq by exposing them to too loud, repeatingly played music, for example songs by metallica, nine inch nails, eminem, etc. this is really shocking, but what made it way worse was the last paragraph, which states that while bands like rage against the machine and massive attack are opposing the misuse of their music, metallica apparently likes it.
first i hoped that the article was somehow wrong, that they meant it in an ironic or sarcastic way. then, i started searching the web, and found a video interview on blabbermouth by 3sat with james hetfield from metallica and an article in the guardian. some quotes:
“if the iraqis aren’t used to freedom, then i’m glad to be part of their exposure”
“we’ve been punishing our parents, our wives, our loved ones with this music for ever. why should the iraqis be any different?”
“part of me is proud is because they chose metallica because he [mohammed al-qahtani] thought he was hearing the sound of satan”
“it is just a thing — it’s not good or bad.”
this already sounds pretty bad, but then i read this and watched the video, from 4:45 starting. sorry, but i really had to think, “what kind of idiot is this guy?!” if you compare listening to phil collins on the car’s radio for a few hours to constantly listening to the same piece of music with a very high volume for a whole day, you’re either a complete idiot or you talk without really thinking.
in any case, shame on him.
comments.
Well, in a way Metallica are still stuck in the 80s or something and even though they are apparently a brilliant band, they regularly tend to behave like backward rednecks in terms of politics. Similar statements were made by people from Iced Earth, Pantera and Ozzy’s band (no names mentioned here for specific reasons). Unfortunately these people are extremely conservative, racist and intolerant. On the continent however, the metal scene much more open minded, educated and “open minded” which is a good thing in my opinion.