Does metal music raise questions about its controversial lyrics? Do rock fans worship Satan? Are metalheads Satanists? And why are there so many crosses at rock ‘n roll concerts?
Dear young metalhead, welcome to our online store! Today we’ll be tackling these questions in this article, in a unique way and in French, while maintaining the HTML code. 💀
Heavy rock is often accused of being satanic and undergoes “attacks”. This began with the band Black Sabbath, who were the first to be saddled with this label. The horns sign is also considered a salute to the devil by some Christian groups.
In this article, we’ll explore why metallers are unfairly labelled Satanists. What are the claims made by those who refer to them in this way? And how, as heavy rock fans, we can defend ourselves against this cliché that has persisted since the 1980s. 🔥THE MOST POPULAR PRODUCTS🔥
Let’s rock 🤘
Where did the myth of satanic metal come from?
It all started with Toni Iommi, son of a confectionery owner. This young Italian had two fingers of his right hand cut off in a factory where he worked. Despite the intense pain, Iommi wanted to keep playing guitar, so he decided to deal with his situation. To relieve the strain on his fingers, he tuned his guitar to a lower key, creating the “master notes” of heavy metal. These “master notes” (three adjacent whole tones) gave birth to a powerful, cold sound, which became the basis of Heavy Metal. 🎸
Toni Iommi and the other members of his band used several names before finally choosing Black Sabbath. On a whim, the band wrote a song with the same name (Black Sabbath). The lyrics of this song were anything but childish, and that’s where things started to get complicated.
It’s also worth mentioning that in the Middle Ages, monks considered three adjacent whole tones in a musical rhythm to be diabolical sounds, because of the dissonance they created. And guess which musical genre was one of them? Yes, you guessed it… heavy metal. 👹 So, for some, metal has become “the devil’s music” in Western culture.
Black Sabbath
In reality, things got complicated for the narrow-minded… Black Sabbath and many other bands who indulged in “chaos” were attracting more and more fans. These fans arrived in droves. It wasn’t until the late 1980s that the term “metalhead” was coined. The truth is that the sound of heavy metal music had become attractive because of its difference, its boldness and its resonance with the post-war era. Much of heavy metal music simply defied the culture and society of the time.
The Sign of the Horn is Satanic
Are metal music fans Satanists because of their use of the “horn sign”? 🤘 Among the members of the band Black Sabbath, a certain Ronnie James Dio was raised in the tradition of Italian beliefs. According to this Mediterranean culture, if you feel bad luck or evil lurking around you, you quickly make the “horn gesture” to ward off the evil.
Dio first used this sign after a concert in England. Unfortunately, people who didn’t appreciate heavy metal music misinterpreted the gesture as a salute to the devil… Fortunately, it is now widely used in the modern metal world. The “horns” are a sign of belonging to the rock scene, not a symbol of Satan. 👹
Horror Films and Metal have made a Satanic Pact
Ever since Mario Bava’s 1963 film “Black Sabbath” inspired the Birmingham band, metalheads and filmmakers have formed a pact with the devil. 😈 Heavy metal and horror cinema have enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership for half a century, but have often been branded “satanic” by the media…
Some go so far as to assert that metal as it is today would not exist without the thematic and aesthetic inspiration provided by the horror films of the 1960s. Dark castles, satanic allusions and young people with offbeat clothing styles greatly influenced the world of metal music.
The emergence of Black Sabbath caused concern among some Christian groups during the early years of heavy metal. In the 1980s, the genre evolved from a mere nuisance to a genuine threat to society. A satanic panic spread across the USA, drawing media attention to metal’s supposedly “obscene and violent” lyrics… 🧐
This decisive turning point has reversed the situation: it’s now the filmmakers who are inspired by heavy metal and are in turn called Satanists! This is due in particular to a series of horror films centered on the theme of heavy metal, which quickly followed. These films both parodied and explored the hysteria and moral outrage of the time. “Black Roses”, “Rock’n’Roll Nightmare”, “Trick or Treat” and “Hard Rock Zombies” all tackled censorship, conservatism and the perception of musicians as a corrupting force on youth. Invoked demons, exploding speakers and weaponized guitars are omnipresent in these four films.
The Metal of the 1980s = Diabolical
Metal has come a long way in recent years, and while its image has largely remained the same, certain beliefs have gradually begun to evolve. It’s safe to say that rock is less and less associated with Satanism. 🎸 It was above all the metal of the 80s that was affected by these false accusations. The image and culture surrounding metal seem far less shocking these days, and are far more accepted by the general public.
The Place of Satan in Rock
What is Satan’s place in metal in 2020? It’s important to understand that the image of the diable has evolved considerably since the 80s. In metal, although Satan retains a certain importance, he is often either highly intellectualized or derided. For example, the FBS song “Goatwhore”, where Ben Falgoust sings “Fuc*** by Satan!”, is clearly ironic.
It’s fascinating to see how the role of Satan has evolved in metal. Whereas he was once hated, we’ve come to appreciate Satan and the image of Satanism. In our subconscious, he’s gone from a personification of evil to a kind of comic rebel. Satan has become something very “cool” today. 🤙 And as he’s become more accepted by society, heavy metal bands feel comfortable using his image without being called Satanists! Satanism will always be present in metal, because Satan is an integral part of what drives things forward. The two are inseparable.
Opt for a Devilish Style
So we’ve explored the reasons why rock and heavy metal have sometimes been associated with Satanism. Now you understand perfectly why the media went overboard in the 80s and why the image of the devil is so prevalent in the world of rock music. 🔥THE MOST POPULAR PRODUCTS🔥
