should i be listening to this neo-nazi black metal

[miscsoc]

I'm listening to a record by an unapologetic Norwegian Nazi

It's really good, it's Filosofem by Burzum aka Varg Vikernes

I'm not sure if I should be enjoying it so much, though, given the fact that the racism is deeply intertwined w/ it's aesthetic and hence appeal. His merchandise has swastikas on it.

Do you feel comfortable consuming and even enjoying art based around repellent ideas?

[Forkboy]

1. I listen to him all the time.

I just don't buy any of his stuff. I don't support him financially, and I still get the music to listen to. The best of both worlds!

Besides, Jesus' Tod is quite possibly the best black metal song ever.

[miscsoc]

7. That was the song I was listening to.

It's bloody good, isn't it? I have no idea what he's growling about, I suppose it is some pagan gloating about the crucifixion, but it's a great bit of music even if he's shouting the phone book.

I've heard that song referred to as 'Odinpop', which I think is a good term.

[Withywindle]

10. Regardless of whether you should or not, you probably will.

You'll just go to "confession" once in a while to talk about how it makes you feel.


(I have that album too. And I also really like it. :blush:)

[Dramarama]

13. What I did with Danzig.

Love "Mother". Hate "Violent World" and "White Devil Rise"

[Heidi]

2. What's good about it?

You said "it's really good," but what's good about it?

[Forkboy]

3. For me, the guitars, drumming, and vocal style all sound great.

It's one of those lines we have to draw for ourselves. I can see why people would not only be uncomfortable with the man himself, but the music as well. It's not your everyday pop songs, and he's a true asshat. Not a combination that will draw millions lol.

There are some lousy people out there who just happen to make some really great music (to some). Each listener has to find their own comfort level with that, and decide how much or how little to support said artists. For me, when it comes to bands/artists that I don't respect as people but like musically, I just download their stuff (just found new Burzum a few weeks ago). That way I get the music and he gets none of my money. I won't ever buy any of his merch (if he even has any, I don't know), etc. That's my line in the sand. Other's may vary, and that's fine too.

I also wonder how many people who would be upset over someone listening to a neo nazi black metal band spend their days listening to misogynistic cock rock. The first Kid Rock fan to complain about Burzum gets a smack in the head! ;)

[miscsoc]

8. It's a beautiful

infectiously sinister and corrosive wall of sound, really intense and immersive and actually quite catchy in a very mutated way. It's just an aesthetic i really like. I suppose you would like it if you saw the appeal of shoegazer stuff.

[Captain Hilts]

4. A "Quisling," as it were....nt

[abq e streeter]

5. I personally could not and would not "enjoy art based around repellent ideas".

that would by definition, make that art repellent. But I do not judge you on that. Obviously ,this guy is not influencing you to agree with his ideas, so if you enjoy his music, so be it. I certainly have loved blatantly misogynistic Stones songs before ( although I always felt uncomfortable with Brown Sugar). But then I also had the feeling there was more than a little tongue in cheek quality to those songs too, along with a let's push the envelope attitude....the Stones have always been very clearly progressive in their politics ...
But for someone whose art is built around racist/Nazi ideas and ideals, then no, I would never even listen to it. Just my personal decision.

[miscsoc]

9. i think it's fair to say that unlike the rolling stones

vikernes has basically no sense of irony. he's a complete bastard, crank and murderer.

I suppose he's the most extreme example concievable of art I like motivated by terrible ideas. Apart from like, Triumph of the Will, which I'm not that much of a fan of.

[Posteritatis]

6. I don't feel comfortable, but I find that discomfort interesting at times anyway

I go in and out of moods where I'll listen to music or read books or whatever by people who have decent-sized chunks of worldviews that are utterly in conflict with my own. On a somewhat tamer level than an unapologetic Nazi, I listen to Eminem quite a bit - while I find the guy to basically be a bigoted little troll with the standard four-Bs style popular to a lot of rap these days, but on a technical level I find at least some of his stuff fascinating. Something will come up on my playlist, I'll find myself somewhat boogieing along in my chair, and then I'll catch myself noticing exactly what's having that effect on me, at which point I go "wait, what?"

I keep some of the stuff around mainly because I find puzzling over that reaction I have interesting at times.

[BethCA66]

11. "Neo-Nazi *black* metal." Ironic. And, no, I wouldn't listen to it.

I liked this one song by one-hit wonders The Toadies, "Possum Kingdom," until I saw the video and I was like, um no.

I have a similar problem with Ashley MacIsaac. Love his music, hate his statutory rapiness.

When buying their music, we're supporting the furthering of their careers and, if applicable, their causes. We're creating a platform for them. We might not agree with the message, but we help spread it by voting with our wallets.

[LeftyMom]

12. I guess that's up to you.

Honestly, I find that most of the artists that I like and choose to support have views that dovetail pretty neatly with mine, but there are some notable exceptions, mostly in the form of bands that sing some things I agree with and some I find decidedly objectionable.