Am I just weird or...

[BlutAusNerd]

It sounds to me like their stance is an anti-religious as opposed to just anti-christian, as their statement regarding satanism as an organized religion being just as bad as organized christianity made that pretty clear. Most metal bands tend to share this view, that religion in general is the problem, but the evocative symbology of referencing christianity based on one's upbringing (which in the cases of most metal bands, christianity is the religion that they've had the most proximity with and the most problems from) as well as the general audience of most metal listeners. In this same way, we could expect that if there were a larger extreme metal scene in the middle east, the sentiments of bands in the area would probably be largely anti-jewish and/or anti-islamic. These notions can also be powerful as well, but not as deeply seated into our minds in the western world as christianity is. Akercocke's brand of satanism seems to be more about the glorification of the self, and the "satanic" path of the world that christianity attempts to steer us away from by not indulging our desires.

[Iceni]

Akercocke's brand of satanism seems to be more about the glorification of the self' date=' and the "satanic" path of the world that christianity attempts to steer us away from by not indulging our desires.[/quote'] That's what it sounded like to me. Arsis also seems very Satanic but they just use Satanism and Satanic imagery to represent rebellion against God. Naturally I'm not overly fond of that but I can't deny that it's clever. Also, I do like Akercocke's music, it's very good avant-garde stuff.

[BlutAusNerd]

That's what it sounded like to me. Arsis also seems very Satanic but they just use Satanism and Satanic imagery to represent rebellion against God. Naturally I'm not overly fond of that but I can't deny that it's clever. Also, I do like Akercocke's music, it's very good avant-garde stuff.

Exactly, another band that does this is Immolation, they display plenty of anti-christian images and lyrics, but it's truly just a vehicle for being anti-religion. I used to frown upon this as simply putting your target on the "figurehead" of a religion (God, Pope, Jesus, etc...) as opposed to where the problem actually lies (the institution itself), but it's made more sense to me over time. For example, if I were ever to start a black metal band, I'm certain that my lyrics would be anti-mormon in nature. I don't care for any religion, but as mormonism is the religion that I am surrounded and oppressed by, it is the target with which I can most identify and personally direct my negative feelings. I wasn't sure if you dug their music or not, as you didn't mention them after my last batch of prog vids, but it's definitely very professional and well done music. Even if the lyrics aren't your thing, I'm glad that you can at least respect what they're doing. I love how after seeing this interview, you can identify that they are intellectual individuals making complex and creative music, as opposed to just wanking on their collective instruments for the hell of it.

[RelentlessOblivion]

Blut I'm not as sure the anti-religious sentiment would be as strong in the Middle East, sure there are some countries where this sentiment would be extremely strong, if metal were able to come out of Iran I'm sure it would be very anti-islam, and very anarchist in nature, but we've seen out of Israel that metal tends to take on almost a ppro-religion stance and I feel this would be the direction more likely to be taken

[Iceni]

Blut I'm not as sure the anti-religious sentiment would be as strong in the Middle East' date=' sure there are some countries where this sentiment would be extremely strong, if metal were able to come out of Iran I'm sure it would be very anti-islam, and very anarchist in nature, but we've seen out of Israel that metal tends to take on almost a ppro-religion stance and I feel this would be the direction more likely to be taken[/quote'] I've actually checked out the Encyclopedia Metallum band lists and in countries with strong religious traditions the bands tend to be strongly anti-religious. There are many anti-Islamic black metal bands from Egypt in particular. Armenia and Poland both have very strongly Christian populations but their metal scenes are very anti-Christian. BAN's point about choosing to rebel against the most identifiable targets is understandable, as you can tell my lyrics tend to have their own bent to them based on which ideas annoy and anger me the most.

[BlutAusNerd]

Blut I'm not as sure the anti-religious sentiment would be as strong in the Middle East' date=' sure there are some countries where this sentiment would be extremely strong, if metal were able to come out of Iran I'm sure it would be very anti-islam, and very anarchist in nature, but we've seen out of Israel that metal tends to take on almost a ppro-religion stance and I feel this would be the direction more likely to be taken[/quote'] That seems fairly restricted to Orphaned Land, as the other Israeli bands I'm familiar with, like Sonne Adam and Melechesh, are much more anti-religious. Granted, I don't hear much anti-judaism in their lyrics, but saying anything against even the jewish tradition can get your branded as an abominable anti-semite racist, so strong is their hold on the opinions of the world.

[RelentlessOblivion]

metal really isn't about rebellion for me, other then one occasion my lyrics tend to be inspired by literature and films, my anti-religious lyrics were more an expression of the resentment I feel towards people being forced to show faith even if they aren't faithful or face penalties for it

[theheavymetalblogger666]

no its not just you i totally agree with you. metal fans are a community of brother and sisters. the sad thing is now with more sub genres and this real metal /not metal war going on. it properly dose not mean anything like it once did. personally i like heavy music weather that be sabbath or napalm death. but i still see my self as part of a community that stands together for the same cause. heavy metal. i always give a smile or a devil horns sign if i see a metalhead in the street or someone wearing a metal t shirt.