NSBM and The Broader Black Metal Scene
NSBM artists are a minority within black metal, according to Mattias Gardell. They have been rejected or strongly criticised by many prominent black metal musicians – including Jon Nödtveidt, Tormentor, King ov Hell, Infernus, Lord Ahriman, Emperor Magus Caligula, Protector, and the members of Arkhon Infaustus and Watain.
Many black metallers reject Nazi ideology and oppose its influence on the black metal subculture. Like organised religion in general, Nazism is regarded as authoritarian, collectivist, and a "herd mentality". It also conflicts with the misanthropic views of many artists – this is because Nazism demands a great respect for the "white race", rather than disdain for all humanity. While some black metallers boycott NSBM bands and labels, others draw a line between the music and the musicians, as they only care for the music. This stance has been criticised as passive support for NSBM.
The band Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult claimed that they share "certain views of so-called NSBM bands" but stated that "there will never ever be any of this misuse within our ranks. We do not want to have anything to do with this newest trend". According to them, politics in black metal is "as inappropriate as black metal concerts at daylight". Darkthrone have also maintained an apolitical stance throughout their career – although Fenriz claimed he was once arrested while participating in an anti-apartheid demonstration. Joakim of Craft says that "I don't think national socialism mixes with the ideology of real Black Metal in a way, but that doesn't go further than labels. I only think NS Black Metal is an inappropriate label for the music".
The bigger print metal magazines tend to ignore records by NSBM bands. The book Unheilige Allianzen caused a short debate, leading Legacy magazine to stop printing advertisings for NSBM labels. Another debate happened in the "letters" section of Rock Hard magazine following the article Der rechte Rand im Black Metal (Black Metal's Far-right Border).
Read more about this topic: National Socialist Black Metal
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