Black Metal is made by pussies?

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1

I know there are a lot of metal fans on here, so i'd thought i'd get some input.

Thurston Moore (a really good guitarist), had this to say about Black Metal:

“Black Metal is music made by pussies of the lowest order,” [...] “And we felt it was necessary to investigate this aberrant anti-music behaviour. We feel like the sound and attitude of black metal is a loss of self, life, light and desire in a way where it becomes so negative that a whole new bliss arrives where we become super pussy.”

Here's an interview with him from Rolling Stone, where they ask him about this comment: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/thurston-moores-new-day-inside-his-upbeat-rock-roll-solo-album-20140911?page=2

What do you guys think? Aside, from the provocative comment is Black Metal void of meaning? Is it, kinda sorta, emo/self loathing in a way?

Do you listen to Black Metal? I'm not into Black Metal, but I'm curious to know what you guys get out of it. What about it that you connect with, if any? Basically, what's the appeal?

2

Knowing Thurston Moore... Im pretty damn sure he was joking

3

He's in the black metal band Twilight.

 

He's just being sarcastic.

4

He has to be joking, being in a metal band with the name "twilight"

5

I don't find self loathing in black metal rather self empowerment. The strength and courage to do what you want to do even if it's not considered the norm. Thinking outside the box per se. It is about emotion though, rather than virtuosity (even though you can find virtuosos in some bands) or hyper polished production. It's supposed to be raw and confronting, to challenge you to think for yourself and above all be yourself, rather than what society dictates you be.

That's what it is for me anyway. Opinions will vary, but that's kind of the point.

6

The IGNORANCE IS STRONG WITH THIS GUY

The true meaning of Playing Black metal was to Rebel against the Highly Popular Death Metal Groups and the Formula on how to Make Metal Music in the Late 80s and 90s.

There is an Excellent Documentary Titled "Until the Light Takes Us" About the Norwegian Black metal Scene in the Late 80s and Early 90's Where "Fenriz" of Darkthrone and Varg Vikernes of Burzum, explains the meaning of what is is to Perform Black Metal. Which If I remember What Varg Said off the top of my Head he states "It was a Rebellion against this Good Production, we called it Necro sounding" and According to "Fenriz" of Darkthrone He wanted to Perform Black Metal cause he was tired of being apart of the Saturated Death Metal Scene at the time, and he was tired of looking at Death Metal Cover Art which was saturated with Gore Photos or it Was Brightly Colored. Now "Fenriz" and "Varg" have different Opinions on what Black Metal was meant to be but the majority Consensus was it was meant to Rebel against Death Metal, Good Production, the Formula on how Metal should be played and Religion, and they were inspired by Bands such as Bathory and Venom which at the time where the Epitome of Thrash Metal with Terrible Production. but had Satanic Imagery in the Lyrics.

Now Realistically what I believe what any "Hardcore" or Die-Hard Black Metal fan would say about how the Black Metal formula should be are the following

  • Have Terrible Production
  • Have Dark Lyrics, Preferably about Anti-Chrisitanity Themes or About Norse Mythology
  • The Bands are NOT Supposed to Play Live (With the Exception of Emperor and Mayhem)
  • The Way the Music should be Played is Simple, Without Complexity (The Only Exception to this was the Black Metal band Emperor who were the first to make the Black Metal Sound Complex and broke this trend)
  • The Cover Art should be BLACK and WHITE and the Vocalists wear Corpse-Paint (which was Inspired by the Late "Dead" of Mayhem) but However he was not the first as "King Diamond wore this type of .Face paint in the Early 80s and I believe Late 70's)

According to Varg, Black Metal was NOT meant to Be Popular it was just meant to be music "For Us" (First Person Speaking)

Now-a-Days Black Metal Meaning has been shifted where Any type of Dark Lyricism in Metal is considered Black Metal. and Anyone can wear corpse paint just to keep the "Stylize the Look"

I Listen to black metal for the Atmosphere (which alot of Modern Black Metal bands are impeccable with) and I listen to the Classic Black Metal really for the Nostalgia (also its really good music even though it had terrible production)

Now his comment about being Black Metal being Emotional "Eh not so much" "there are a few but it is rare. Mayhem's "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" was an Emotion Record if you actually take the time to read the lyrics. Now for his comment about Black Metal being for "Pussies" Last I checked People were Arrested, Murdered, and Churches were Burned over this Style of Music so What is he fucking Blind?

 

7

The history of black metal is one that begins with church burnings, suicide, murder, and two (or more) versions of satanism.  Very, very local and anti-mainstream musicians created a style based around blackness, darkness, hate, rebellion, and truth.

As with all forms of music, people began to appreciate the strength and purity of that style, and began to emulate it in their own way.  This, inevitably, waters down the original message, style, and strength of any form of expression, as well as the audience/fan base.  I would argue that, today, this is more true of music than any other form of art.

In the interview, Thurston Moore says that black metal does not exist as a form of music, and therefore there are no musicians that play black metal music.  With that said, you can say anything you want, because you are talking about a group of people who don't exist.

This idea of nihilism as an aspect of black metal allows for anything, because that thing doesn't truly exist.  So, you can call a spoon a fork, or a car a turtle....or black metal musicians "pussies". They don't exist, inherently, so what does it matter.

I think most of the backlash is caused by casual listeners who haven't truly followed the art form, and believe that the comment was meant to be a form of criticism.  Or, that it was taken as a form of criticism by those who don't believe nihilism to be inherent in black metal....either way, he meant what he said, and I don't (as someone who enjoys black metal) think that what he said was erroneous. 

8

lol