Over-the-top or gone-to-far?

I am reviewing the new Masquerader CD currently. It's an EP from a thrash band from Taiwan.

The lyrics are fairly typical for the most part, with a couple songs being over-the-top. "S.A.T.A.N." sounds like it could have been written in the early 80's by some NWOBHM band. "Bow down to the dark lord, Lucifer his name, sacrificial rights unto him, covered in blood, bow down to the dark lord, Lucifer his name." Seems silly and over-the-top to me, especially coming from a Christian worldview, but it's really no different than Venom. To me it's more 'preachy' than most Christian bands.

However, one of the songs is titled "Thrasher Commandos" and is you're basic "f**k all posers, thrash rules" sort of song. In fact, that's a lyric from the song. In the lyrics the band makes a call to "kill the f a g g o t s". Is this merely over-the-top lyrics or has it gone-to-far to the point of offense?

What is your opinion?

That seems pretty tame compared to some of the Venom, Slayer and Mercyful Fate lyrics of the early 80s. It's all goofy schtick anyway, no more offensive than your average horror flick.

To me it shows lack of imagination, and trying to be shocking just for shocks sake. The difference this band or say Venom, is Venom had a sense of humor about it, you always got it those guys did not take their image seriously

S.D. wrote:

That seems pretty tame compared to some of the Venom, Slayer and Mercyful Fate lyrics of the early 80s. It's all goofy schtick anyway, no more offensive than your average horror flick.

I wasn't really referring to the Satan stuff as much as the "kill all f a g g o t s" comment.

I don't understand what 'kill the sticks' means so I'm not offended.

In terms of offensive lyrics, our generation did it all. 'Kill Yourself' 'Necrophiliac' 'Aren't you Hungry' 'Angel of Death' There's really nothing more to get offended by. Some of those lyrics seriously make me cringe now though.

edit, Now I get the offence as the word in question has changed. It's a weird one this as they would probably be arrested for performing this in the U.K, hate crime laws are strict and when you consider that so called metal fans actually did go round attacking and in one case that I can remember killing ga-hey people, I'd say that it's pretty close to the bone and I'll certainly not be buying it. I'm not really in favor of censorship though as this harms the free speech of us all.

ultmetal wrote:

S.D. wrote:

That seems pretty tame compared to some of the Venom, Slayer and Mercyful Fate lyrics of the early 80s. It's all goofy schtick anyway, no more offensive than your average horror flick.

I wasn't really referring to the Satan stuff as much as the "kill all f a g g o t s" comment.

That is more stupid then offensive, what a bunch of silly bastards

ultmetal wrote:

S.D. wrote:

That seems pretty tame compared to some of the Venom, Slayer and Mercyful Fate lyrics of the early 80s. It's all goofy schtick anyway, no more offensive than your average horror flick.

I wasn't really referring to the Satan stuff as much as the "kill all f a g g o t s" comment.

Yeah, that's pretty vile. But I'm sure there are some uneducated homophobes out there that will just eat that stuff up.

Okay the software on this site is crazy. It has actually changed my not at all homophobic word for something that is!! I'm not taking the blame for the word ga-hey!!

Boris2008 wrote:

Okay the software on this site is crazy. It has actually changed my not at all homophobic word for something that is!! I'm not taking the blame for the word ga-hey!!

Send me a PM and let me know what word got changed, I'll take a look at our silly filtering to make sure valid terms aren't also being altered.

i doubt they mean "fagg0ts" in its literal term, unless the song itself is about homosexuals.

mc666 wrote:

i doubt they mean "fagg0ts" in its literal term, unless the song itself is about homosexuals.

In context I don't think they meant it in the literal terms. In fact, I doubt English is their first language, so I'm not even sure they know what it means.

I'm certainly not easily offended. I was just curious what people's opinions were in light of a review I read on-line that called for a boycott of the band because of the phrase "kill the fagg0ts".

I think that you are all very generous in spirit. 'Kill the Fagg0ts' is a very specific term for someone to use when they don't understand it's meaning. I tend to think that they know exactly what it means and are following some of the dodgier philosophies of the black metal communities, as I've said it's not as though they are the first people in extreme metal to spout this kind of bigotry.

I think that calling for a boycott is fair enough. It draws attention to their stupidity and allows people to decide whether they really want to associate themselves with this kind of thing without delving into the murky waters of censorship. It will of course by like an open flame to many an idiotic metal moth, but hey, they will hopefully grow out of it.

Boris2008 wrote:

I think that you are all very generous in spirit. 'Kill the Fagg0ts' is a very specific term for someone to use when they don't understand it's meaning. I tend to think that they know exactly what it means and are following some of the dodgier philosophies of the black metal communities, as I've said it's not as though they are the first people in extreme metal to spout this kind of bigotry.

I think that calling for a boycott is fair enough. It draws attention to their stupidity and allows people to decide whether they really want to associate themselves with this kind of thing without delving into the murky waters of censorship. It will of course by like an open flame to many an idiotic metal moth, but hey, they will hopefully grow out of it.

Dude that is the one of the most well-worded posts I've read in a while. I like this part:

Quote :

It draws attention to their stupidity and allows people to decide whether they really want to associate themselves with this kind of thing without delving into the murky waters of censorship. It will of course by like an open flame to many an idiotic metal moth, but hey, they will hopefully grow out of it

Well said sir!

The creativity hasn't gone far enough.

The people they want to "kill" are likely guys like jon bon jovi, vince neil, joe elliott, bret michaels, etc (none of who are homosexual as far as i know). And they dont even want to "kill" them, they just want to force them to retire from music. However, that doesnt lend itself well to rock lyrics, so they just go over the top.

They say "kill the f@ggots" I say "ignore the narrow-minded haters" and move to the next band.

S.D. wrote:

Boris2008 wrote:

Okay the software on this site is crazy. It has actually changed my not at all homophobic word for something that is!! I'm not taking the blame for the word ga-hey!!

Send me a PM and let me know what word got changed, I'll take a look at our silly filtering to make sure valid terms aren't also being altered.

Why not just get rid of all the censored words?

Aaaand I've got a PM over at Facebook from Masquerader asking for a record deal. the Internets are really a small place

stormspell wrote:

Aaaand I've got a PM over at Facebook from Masquerader asking for a record deal. the Internets are really a small place

I checked out the song on youtube (didn't like the vocals, music pretty stock) and I noticed that someone from the band was commenting, I nearly left a message telling them what I thought of their lyrics but in the end, I couldn't be bothered.

Yeah, it is a shame as the music is more than decent

Eyesore wrote:

Why not just get rid of all the censored words?

Not my call, but I will bring it up again.

Eyesore wrote:

S.D. wrote:

Boris2008 wrote:

Okay the software on this site is crazy. It has actually changed my not at all homophobic word for something that is!! I'm not taking the blame for the word ga-hey!!

Send me a PM and let me know what word got changed, I'll take a look at our silly filtering to make sure valid terms aren't also being altered.

Why not just get rid of all the censored words?

x2. we are all adults here & do not use inappropriate terms in excess or in malice.

mc666 wrote:

Eyesore wrote:

S.D. wrote:

Boris2008 wrote:

Okay the software on this site is crazy. It has actually changed my not at all homophobic word for something that is!! I'm not taking the blame for the word ga-hey!!

Send me a PM and let me know what word got changed, I'll take a look at our silly filtering to make sure valid terms aren't also being altered.

Why not just get rid of all the censored words?

x2. we are all adults here & do not use inappropriate terms in excess or in malice.

I completely agree with you guys and have brought up the subject (again) with the other moderators, we'll see what happens.

stormspell wrote:

Yeah, it is a shame as the music is more than decent

Just curious (not having a go or anything), but do you agree with the lyrics or words of all the bands you have a hand in releasing material for?

Of course not. I've stretched the limit considerably with some bands, Profanator and Infantry for instance to name a few. I usually have no problem laughing off most of the juvenile and satanic crap, just thought the f@ggot thing is going too far. Although having said that, the guy on FB was actually quite polite and sent me a long explanation basically confirming the band doesnt have good command over the English language and it wasn't their intend to come across hateful or discriminative. So I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt and taking their word for it, all is good. I'm actually considering to offer them a spot on the upcoming JoG demo series.