Metal and Misogyny: How to Turn Sexual Violence into Your Personal Brand

Ah, metal! That glorious world of screeching guitars, outrageous lyrics, and a deep reverence for chaos. But beneath this mantle of clamor and darkness lies a disturbing reality: the glorification of violence against women. So, if you haven’t noticed, metal has a little problem with misogyny and rape culture. Yes, we’re talking about that “splendid” phenomenon where the female body becomes a playground for domination and abuse. How rock and roll does that sound!

Let’s Be Clear: Sexual Violence and Metal!

First, let’s take a tour through the necropolis of metal to see how violence against women is treated. Cannibal Corpse, that band that seems to be stuck in a low-budget horror movie, takes the first prize in this dark contest. In their song “I Cum Blood,” not only is sexual violence described in such graphic detail it would make any explicit content instructor blush, but the lyrics make abuse sound almost like an everyday occurrence. It’s as if the band members thought, “Why not add a little torture to the mix? Just to spice things up!”

But Cannibal Corpse is not alone in this feast of bad taste. Slayer, with their song “Necrophiliac,” takes the glorification of sexual violence to a level where necrophilia is presented as something almost… well, entertaining. The lyrics describe a sexual encounter with a corpse with such fresh brazenness that comments on a horror forum seem like romantic poetry in comparison. Here, necrophilia becomes a riff and scream topic, as if abuse and pain were just part of the show. The idea of treating necrophilia with a tone of morbid normalcy reflects an alarming insensitivity to real suffering and perpetuates a culture where sexual violence is trivialized and celebrated.

And let’s be clear: when the Catalan band Barbarian Swords sings about raping nuns, it’s not anti-religious, it’s simply misogynistic. It’s not the church being attacked here, but women. These lyrics are not challenging beliefs or power structures, they are perpetuating the idea that it’s acceptable to use sexual violence as a form of protest, which is an abomination. Nuns are women, not abstract symbols, and using the idea of raping them as «rebellion» is a cheap excuse to spread hatred towards women. So, no matter how much they want to seem provocative, they’re really just perpetuating a dangerous and completely misplaced discourse.

Now, if you thought this was just a bad moment in metal, let me introduce you to Ted Nugent (of course!) and his song “Jailbait.” Because, naturally, what is rock without a song glorifying sexual harassment and predation? In this masterpiece of “good taste,” Nugent sings about a relationship with a minor, normalizing abuse and treating consent as lightly as a feather. “Jailbait” reminds us that some rock legends are so disconnected from reality that consent becomes a cruel joke. If you ever wondered what it’s like to live in a world where abuse is just part of the entertainment, here’s your answer.

The Female Body: Metal’s Favorite Toy

Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter: why is the female body used as an object of domination in metal? Metal, as a good rock genre, has a deep need to challenge norms and explore the dark, disturbing, and taboo. So, what better way to do it than by using the female body as a canvas for brutality and abuse? It’s as if the genre is saying, “We want to be disruptive! And what better way to do it than at the expense of women!”

Historically, violence and domination in metal have roots beyond mere provocation. Misogyny in metal music has deep roots in a patriarchal culture that has seen the female body not as a symbol of life and creativity but as an object of control and power. Naturally, metal, with its love for all things extreme and macabre, embraced this trend. Instead of challenging the status quo, it simply reinforced it because, of course, why question patriarchy when you can glorify it?

Album covers with dismembered and tortured women are not just a form of grotesque art; they are a statement of male power and a way of showing that women, in the world of metal, are there to serve as symbols of domination. If metal were an art gallery, the exhibitions would be a kind of horror museum, where female suffering becomes the centerpiece. Bands like Deicide, with album covers that look like they’re from a B-movie horror flick, are not just seeking to provoke a reaction but also to assert their disdain for the dignity and autonomy of women. It’s as if abuse and objectification are part of their calling card.

What is Rape Culture?

Rape culture is that charming phenomenon where consent becomes a bad joke and sexual violence is normalized to the point of being a form of entertainment. Imagine at a party, someone starts making jokes about ignoring “no” and tells you “it’s just a joke,” while everyone laughs. That’s rape culture: where consent and respect are taken lightly and women are seen as objects for male pleasure and domination.

But rape culture is not just a phenomenon of metal lyrics. Let’s see how it works in real life. When people laugh at jokes about rape or when Hollywood movies treat consent as an optional idea, we are feeding this breeding ground. It’s like we’re saying, “Hey, you know what? If you don’t dare to say ‘no,’ don’t worry, nobody’s going to listen!”

How is This Breeding Ground Created?

The breeding ground for rape culture is partly created by trivializing consent and respect. In everyday life, when derogatory comments and behaviors towards women are minimized, we contribute to an environment where abuse is normalized. For example, if in a work environment someone makes a joke about harassing a colleague, or if at a social event the idea that “what she’s wearing” is a tacit consent is allowed to spread, we’re perpetuating rape culture.

In music, lyrics that normalize sexual violence create an environment where abuse is trivialized. The idea that consent is optional and that sexual violence is entertaining seeps into public perception. If a band sings about “conquering” a woman by force or if an artist glorifies harassment, they are contributing to this toxic environment.

How to Act Against Rape Culture?

So, you’re wondering, “What the hell do I do if I encounter this rape culture?” Well, first, don’t just scroll through social media with a horrified emoji. Here are some ideas on how you can act:

1. Educate and Discuss: Yes, I know, the word “educate” might sound as thrilling as watching paint dry, but it’s crucial. Talking about rape culture and symbolic violence with friends, family, and in forums can help raise awareness and challenge these attitudes. Open dialogues about consent and respect can make metal, and society in general, more inclusive. Because, of course, discussing consent is almost as rock and roll as the best guitar solo.
2. Support Victims: If you know someone who has been affected by these attitudes, support them. Don’t underestimate the power of listening and validating someone’s experience. Also, support organizations that work to combat sexual violence and abuse. Because, unlike metal lyrics, your support can make a real difference.
3. Challenge Representations: If you’re tired of seeing women portrayed as mere objects of domination in metal, join those who are trying to change this. Demand more positive and respectful representation in music and art. Because yes, metal can be as brutal and disturbing as it wants without resorting to misogyny. Who said you can’t be disturbing and responsible at the same time?
4. Promote Change in Music: Support bands and artists committed to more respectful and less violent representation of women. Because yes, metal can be as brutal and disturbing as it wants without resorting to misogyny. Supporting those who seek to make a difference is like finding the perfect guitar solo in the middle of a song.

Can You Be Disturbing Without Being Misogynistic?

The big question is: can you be disturbing and challenging in metal without resorting to misogyny and violence against women? The answer is a resounding yes. Metal has a rich history of exploring the dark and macabre without having to resort to objectification and abuse. The key is to question and challenge norms without perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

Bands can explore disturbing themes without using sexual violence as a tool for impact. True provocation and challenge come from questioning the world in deep and meaningful ways, not from glorifying abuse. Metal can continue to be a genre that breaks barriers and explores the dark without having to resort to misogyny and symbolic violence. In fact, doing so would be a true act of rebellion and authenticity, and a step toward a future where disturbance is not linked to exploitation and abuse.

Catharsis in Music and Symbolic Violence

Music, at its core, is a form of catharsis; it allows us to explore our deepest emotions and, in some cases, confront dark aspects of humanity. However, when this catharsis turns into a glorification of violence and misogyny, it stops being an act of liberation and becomes a celebration of abuse. Symbolic violence in art not only affects public perception of violence but can also have devastating consequences on how reality is perceived.

So, if you want to be part of a musical scene that truly challenges norms and explores the dark without falling into misogyny and rape culture, it’s up to you. Metal can be disturbing and aggressive without being misogynistic. It’s time for the genre to evolve and stop using sexual violence as a tool for impact. After all, the true strength of metal lies in its ability to be disruptive and impactful without sacrificing respect and dignity. Rock responsibly!