Metal and Nazis: Staler Than Old School Thrash

Ah, metal. The music that gives us life, shatters our eardrums, and makes us feel like we could lift a car with just the power of our imaginary guitars. Metal, how beautiful you are! But of course, like any good story, there’s a small, irritating twist in the script. Because sometimes, when you’re in the middle of headbanging catharsis, bam! An idiot appears doing the Nazi salute or a band sporting fascist symbols on their shirts. What a delight! Nothing like a brutal riff followed by a gesture of hate to ruin the experience.

Yes, friends, this isn’t a «Black Mirror»-style dystopia. We’re not in the 1930s, but here in 2024, metal still has a little problem with fascism. It’s like that friend who never learns and keeps drinking cheap booze, knowing they’ll get a hangover. In this case, the «cheap booze» is Nazi symbolism and fascism, and the hangover is all the harm this ideology has caused throughout history. And why? Because some people think being fascist is the pinnacle of rebellion. Spoiler alert! It’s not. It’s just being an idiot. Now then, how on earth did we get here, and why hasn’t more been done about it? Let’s dive in because the story has more twists than a Malmsteen solo.

Why Do Metal and Fascism Mix Like Beer and Olives (For Some)?

Metal has always been obsessed with darkness, chaos, and rebellion. And yes, what screams «chaos» more than a genocidal regime? Nazis and fascism represent a sort of «mythical evil» in popular culture, and in metal, this has sometimes translated into a fascination with extreme symbols that are somehow considered «provocative» and «shocking.»

The irony is that, at its core, metal was a refuge for the marginalized, the social outcasts, those whom the system had left behind. So, how did a movement based on freedom and rebellion suddenly embrace an ideology that seeks to crush all that diversity? Easy: confusion and mental laziness. Come on, putting a swastika on an album cover and claiming it’s for «artistic freedom» is the weakest excuse since your friend said they couldn’t go to the concert because «their Wi-Fi broke.»

Some artists, like Varg Vikernes, call themselves «pagan-nationalists,» which is basically a cool way of saying «racist with a Viking complex.» These bands try to cover their fascist fetishism with a veneer of Nordic folklore or esotericism, as if that makes their tendency to glorify white supremacy more acceptable. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.

Let’s talk about a few other names and real cases so you don’t say this is exaggerated. We’ll start with Absurd, a German black metal band that not only flirts with Nazi aesthetics but whose members were convicted for the murder of a classmate. And no, it wasn’t an accident. It was a crime motivated by their neo-Nazi ideology. Despite this, some still idolize them and defend their music by saying, «art and personal life are separate things.» Sure, as if there could be any separation when your lyrics praise white supremacy and glorify violence.

Then there’s Graveland, a Polish black metal band linked to the NSBM (National Socialist Black Metal scene, for those not familiar with the acronym). Its leader, Rob Darken, is known for his openly nationalist and xenophobic views. This band continues to play at festivals, and their fans seem to ignore the fact that behind all that «mystical» and «pagan» paraphernalia, there’s a message of hate toward anyone who doesn’t fit their ideal of the Aryan race. Because nothing says «mysticism» like hating everyone who’s different, right?

Next, we have M8L8TH, another NSBM band dedicated to spreading Nazi propaganda through their music. With a name that even contains neo-Nazi symbolism (the «88» refers to «Heil Hitler»), they’re not exactly subtle about their intentions. Yet, they still have fans who defend them under the excuse of «artistic freedom.» Because, of course, if something needs defending in 2024, it’s the freedom to praise one of the most murderous regimes in history. Priorities.

What About Nazi Symbolism in Metal?

Nazi symbolism appears more often than it should in the metal scene, and there’s always someone who says «it’s not that bad» or «it’s just aesthetics.» Sure, putting a swastika on your shirt or playing on stage with runes that the Nazis appropriated as symbols of their ideology isn’t «just aesthetics.» It’s perpetuating a legacy of hate and genocide, and even if you do it to «provoke,» the only thing you’re provoking is second-hand embarrassment. Using Nazi symbols to «shock» is like wearing Crocs to a wedding for attention. Yes, you stand out, but not in the way you think.

Let’s also talk about the band Satanic Warmaster, another gem of the NSBM scene that uses Nazi runes in their merchandise. Their leader, Werwolf, has always denied being a Nazi, though his lyrics talk about racial purification and supremacy. Oh, sure, Werwolf, we must have all misunderstood. When you said «purification,» you were referring to cleaning your room, not the world of people who aren’t white, right?

And let’s not forget Goatmoon, another band that uses Nazi symbols and whose lyrics glorify racial violence. These guys seem to think being «extreme» means adopting the aesthetics of a genocidal regime, and they see no problem in their music becoming an anthem for those who preach hate. The message is clear: for them, metal isn’t about freedom or rebellion but about imposing their toxic ideologies.

Nazi Appropriations of Pre-Existing Symbols: The Fatal Trap of Carelessness

Now, let’s pause for a second to talk about another popular excuse among these Third Reich nostalgists: «But, the runes and swastika weren’t originally Nazi symbols!» Yes, dear metalhead, we know that runes come from ancient Norse and Germanic cultures and that the swastika has thousands of years of history in various religions and cultures. In fact, it’s a symbol of prosperity and luck in Hinduism and Buddhism. But here’s the thing: the Nazis took those symbols, twisted them, and turned them into icons of hate, death, and oppression.

Using these symbols with the excuse of «recovering their original meaning» is, at the very least, naive. Because history doesn’t work like a reset button that you can press to erase what you don’t like. No matter how hard you try to «rehabilitate» the swastika or the runes, they are so associated with fascism that their meaning has changed forever. The same goes for other symbols like the Totenkopf (the skull that the Nazis used in the SS). Even though it was an ancient symbol, it is now loaded with connotations that you can’t shake off just by saying: «It’s from my Viking ancestors.» No, darling, your shirt has nothing to do with cultural heritage. It’s just racism with edgy aesthetics.

Why This Isn’t Acceptable (As If We Needed to Explain It)

What these people seem to forget is that fascism and Nazism are ideologies based on exclusion, hate, and the elimination of anyone who doesn’t fit their twisted standards. And music, especially metal, should be the complete opposite: a place for the marginalized, the misfits, the ones who don’t belong anywhere else. Metal has always been an escape for those who feel alienated, for those who can’t find their place in the world, and turning it into a platform for hate and intolerance is a betrayal of everything this genre represents.

But of course, when confronted, these artists and their fans don’t take long to roll out the excuses: «It’s just aesthetics,» «It’s artistic freedom,» «Don’t mix politics with music.» All of that sounds nice, but it’s still a bunch of pseudo-intellectual garbage. When you choose to adopt Nazi symbols or release lyrics filled with racism, you’re making a statement, and that statement is indefensible. You can’t separate the art from the artist when the art is steeped in genocidal ideologies.

What’s Actually Happening: Misguided «Rebellion» and the Cynic’s Club

Here’s where one of the key elements of metal comes into play: rebellion against the establishment. But what was originally a fight against conformity and the injustices of the system sometimes gets distorted into a mere need to scandalize. It’s as if certain sectors of metal have adopted the mindset of a perpetually rebellious teenager: «Oh, the world says Nazis are bad? Well, I’m going to wear a swastika just to piss everyone off!»

Of course, this isn’t the entire metal scene, not even the majority, but it only takes a loud minority to smear everyone with this toxic sludge. And instead of confronting it directly, some choose to be cynical about it. The classic: «It’s just for the aesthetics, don’t take it so seriously.» Ah, yes, because nothing screams «innocent fun» like genocide, right? This is a lot like saying you’re wearing a swastika shirt «just because it matches my boots.» It sounds ridiculous because it is.

What’s Being Done (Spoiler: Not Much)

Well, here’s where things get frustrating. The truth is that within the metal scene, not enough is being done. Why? Because talking about this is uncomfortable. Bands don’t want to alienate part of their fanbase, record labels don’t want to lose money, and festivals prefer to avoid scandals. So, what happens? Silence. Everyone looks the other way and says, «it’s just a few bad apples.»

But here’s the thing: those «bad apples» aren’t just ruining the batch. They’re slowly poisoning the whole tree. If the metal scene doesn’t start confronting this problem head-on, with clear stances against hate and intolerance, then it risks becoming a refuge for the very ideologies it once fought against.

To be clear, not all metal bands or fans are fascists or Nazis. Most people in the scene despise that ideology and what it represents. But the problem is that too many turn a blind eye when they see it in their midst, and that complicity allows the rot to spread. It’s time for metal to grow up and stop hiding behind the excuse of «artistic freedom.»

What Should Be Done? (Here’s a hint: Be less passive)

First of all, let’s be clear: there is no space for fascism in metal. Period. You can call this «cancel culture» or whatever you want, but what it really is, is cultural responsibility. As a fan, it’s your duty not to support bands that promote fascist, racist, or any other form of hateful ideology. This means stopping buying their records, attending their concerts, and, if necessary, banishing their old t-shirts to the back of the closet where you keep clothes you’ll never wear again.

Bands, labels, and festivals also need to take their share of the responsibility. Instead of playing deaf (which is ironic in music, right?), they should clearly speak out against fascism. Yes, they may lose some fans in the process, but in the long run, you can’t build a solid community on a foundation of hate and intolerance. That’s like trying to build a house on crap. It simply doesn’t work.

And finally, let’s talk about ourselves as a community. It’s time to leave behind cynicism and indifference. It’s not enough to say, «it’s just music.» Music has power, influence, and therefore, responsibility. Metal has always been a way of life for many of us, an outlet for anger, frustration, and a place to find ourselves when the outside world becomes suffocating. We cannot allow that space to become a refuge for ideologies that contradict the very essence of what it should represent: freedom, equality, and resistance against oppression.

Conclusion: Metal, Grow the Hell Up

So here we are, in 2024, still dealing with this garbage. But there’s hope. Metal has proven to be an unstoppable force in culture, a place where the marginalized find their voice. Now is the time for that voice to rise up against the toxic ideologies that have tried to infiltrate the scene for far too long. And if that means cutting ties with certain «artists» or «fans,» then so be it. Because metal will survive. Metal always survives. And when it does, it will be stronger, more inclusive, and much more authentic without the weight of fascists and Nazis crawling across the stage.

Long live metal, but let it be a metal free from hate. After all, if what you’re looking for is rebellion, there are far smarter and more powerful things to rebel against than recycling the ideas of a murderous regime. So, the next time you see someone doing the Nazi salute at a concert, don’t ignore it. Give them the response they deserve, and no, I’m not talking about a history lesson, but something they’ll likely understand better: a good dose of reality, wrapped in a powerful shout of «¡No pasarán!» Or you could just give them a punch.