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Cases Of Metal Associated With Violence Metal Music Has Been Blamed For A ...


Cases of metal associated with violence
Metal music has been blamed for a lot of violence and social disorder, especially within today's youth society. While there is no denying that the majority of metal music has a hard-edged, violent sound to it and the lyrics are often brutal or graphic, there is not generally an explicit incitement to violence within these sounds and words. Indeed, compared to much of the rap music around today, metal music is far less explicit in its promotion of violence. Sure, there are bands which do go too far and are perhaps preaching messages of their own agenda that are not appropriate. For instance, many of the Black Metal bands who were involved in the church burnings in Scandinavia over the years often preached violence against religion. However, these extremists should be separated from the metal community as a whole, just as those rappers who commit murder are separated from their good-natured counterparts. Even the critics of metal would admit that to tarnish the whole genre with the actions of a few would be extremely harsh.
However, the real issues of controversy lie in the incidents where metal music has been blamed for violence or tragedy caused by those listening to metal. The first of these to look at is the tragic death of Dimebag Darrell, who as a member of Damageplan was shot and killed on stage by a crazed ‘fan' in 2004. Others were also killed that day, but the focus was on the death of a metal music icon. Whilst fans mourned his death, others tried to put the blame for the incident on the metal community, and hence Dimebag Darrell. They claimed the violent lyrics and nature of the music and lifestyle led by Dimebag Darrell meant he was susceptible to such a death, in a sort of ‘you reap what you sow' attitude.
It seems slightly strange to blame a man who was killed so violently for his own death, when in all likelihood the death was caused by a violent and mentally ill individual who lived in the violent society of America projecting his problems on to the problems he saw in his favourite band, Pantera. He blamed Dimebag Darrell for their split, and so wanted to enact revenge. This, coupled with poor security at the venue, led to the tragic event. In truth, no-one will really know the reasons behind the incident as the shooter was killed on scene, but blaming metal seems to be an easy way out.
This incident is perhaps inconclusive simply because there is not enough evidence either way to suggest whether the music promoted the violence caused directly. However, one case that went to trial and showed that metal music was not the direct cause of a violent incident was the Judas Priest suicide death case.
A lawsuit was brought against the classic metal band Judas Priest in 1985 alleging that on their album ‘Stained Class' there were subliminal lyrics telling people that killing themselves was good and fun and to ‘do it now'.

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