Finnish black metal band Satanic Warmaster canceled a show to be held in the Netherlands last month because of a quarrel with the antifascist organization Antifa. It seems that the political militant organization made strong pressure on the event organizers and the booking agencies because they had engaged Satanic Warmaster for thr show. Satanic Warmaster states to be used to being slandered by Antifa, but this time it seems the goal is not only the band but those who work behind the scenes, bringing a show on stage. Satanic Warmaster is sorry for the agencies, but remains ironclad on its position and claims to be a black metal band and does not want to be mixed up in political quarrels.
Here’s the band’s statement:
“It is our unpleasant duty to inform our fans that the band will not perform in The Netherlands this summer despite earlier plans.
As a result of discussions with the organizers, an agreement was made that we will pull out from the show. This is due to continuous threats and pressure put onto the organizers and booking agencies by Antifa. This is also why we will not publish the name of the organizer.
The band is used to being smeared by Antifa, but this time it seems that there is a new strategy: threatening third parties (the agencies), who have absolutely nothing to do with us, of being 'collaborators' if the bands they represent are on the same bill as Satanic Warmaster, as if our performance would be damaging to them in one way or the other. This crooked and cowardly behaviour is nothing more than extortion, and something only swindlers and small-minded people would do.
Satanic Warmaster would like to respectfully express our sympathies to the targeted agencies and the organizers. It is most unfortunate that they too have to deal with this kind of trash.
The shadowed essence of Satanic Warmaster continues to be such a demon, that concerned parties still continue their lament despite the obvious fact that they do not even know what they are dealing with.
Time after time Satanic Warmaster has stated that we do not fly any other banner than that of Black Metal. The agenda should be known to all by now, it is Satanism – There is nothing hidden or beyond this banner.
We have been labeled on the basis of the band's we've played with, and the people we've met over the course of time. As far as we know, opinions are not contagious, and they are not transferred from one person to another by playing on the same festival. By examining the list of bands we have played with, it should be quite obvious that we don't care what other bands' motives are. We find beauty, power and distinction in the creations of all who deal with the dark arts in an uncompromising and honest manner.
We treat other people - the audience, bands and organizers - with dignity and respect, regardless of what other people speak of them. We don't bow down to political correctness. We decide what to think of people after we have met them, not the other way around.
We are artists who perform extreme and provoking art. We reject any classification by any other instance but ourselves. We refuse to mold ourselves according to rules that are in no way universal or global.
Satanic Warmaster will not apologize for being a Black Metal band that it is, in order to be accepted in music festivals, and will not take part in any political games in order to justify it’s existence that is clearly beyond the comprehension of political activists.
And on that note, Werwolf is happy to engage in a dialog with any concerned parties interested in actually clearing their misconceptions, and actually for the first time realizing what the motives for various things are/were.”
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
Here’s the band’s statement:
“It is our unpleasant duty to inform our fans that the band will not perform in The Netherlands this summer despite earlier plans.
As a result of discussions with the organizers, an agreement was made that we will pull out from the show. This is due to continuous threats and pressure put onto the organizers and booking agencies by Antifa. This is also why we will not publish the name of the organizer.
The band is used to being smeared by Antifa, but this time it seems that there is a new strategy: threatening third parties (the agencies), who have absolutely nothing to do with us, of being 'collaborators' if the bands they represent are on the same bill as Satanic Warmaster, as if our performance would be damaging to them in one way or the other. This crooked and cowardly behaviour is nothing more than extortion, and something only swindlers and small-minded people would do.
Satanic Warmaster would like to respectfully express our sympathies to the targeted agencies and the organizers. It is most unfortunate that they too have to deal with this kind of trash.
The shadowed essence of Satanic Warmaster continues to be such a demon, that concerned parties still continue their lament despite the obvious fact that they do not even know what they are dealing with.
Time after time Satanic Warmaster has stated that we do not fly any other banner than that of Black Metal. The agenda should be known to all by now, it is Satanism – There is nothing hidden or beyond this banner.
We have been labeled on the basis of the band's we've played with, and the people we've met over the course of time. As far as we know, opinions are not contagious, and they are not transferred from one person to another by playing on the same festival. By examining the list of bands we have played with, it should be quite obvious that we don't care what other bands' motives are. We find beauty, power and distinction in the creations of all who deal with the dark arts in an uncompromising and honest manner.
We treat other people - the audience, bands and organizers - with dignity and respect, regardless of what other people speak of them. We don't bow down to political correctness. We decide what to think of people after we have met them, not the other way around.
We are artists who perform extreme and provoking art. We reject any classification by any other instance but ourselves. We refuse to mold ourselves according to rules that are in no way universal or global.
Satanic Warmaster will not apologize for being a Black Metal band that it is, in order to be accepted in music festivals, and will not take part in any political games in order to justify it’s existence that is clearly beyond the comprehension of political activists.
And on that note, Werwolf is happy to engage in a dialog with any concerned parties interested in actually clearing their misconceptions, and actually for the first time realizing what the motives for various things are/were.”
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com