Define Evil Music

[Zombieprincess1979]

What is your definition of evil music/bands/singers and why?

 

[Guy Incognito]

I'd kinda put Slayer in this category. I mean, they have all the talent in the world, but I cannot get past their overtly blatant anti-Christian, down with God message. Or music that promotes heavy drug use.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[Zombieprincess1979]

What if they promote heavy drug use just for fun?

 

[Fenny the Fox]

I'd kinda put Slayer in this category. I mean, they have all the talent in the world, but I cannot get past their overtly blatant anti-Christian, down with God message.

Except that the singer, Tom Araya, is a devout Catholic. And most of their lyrics are about serial killers and occult themes they happen to find interesting (which does, admittedly, include Satanism, but none of them are satanists, they just find it an interesting perspective) and such. I agree, they do sometimes attack certain aspects of religion, but I don't see that as an attack against God or such.

As Araya put it: "People are not in good shape to where they have to question their own belief system because of a book or a story somebody wrote, or a Slayer song."

 

[Guy Incognito]

What if they promote heavy drug use just for fun?

For fun or for serious, I don't think heavy drug use/drug use outside of medical reasons should be promoted at all.

 

[Fenny the Fox]

To to OP, so I am not just off topic:

I don't classify any music, in and of itself, as "evil". The idea behind it may be somewhat ill-conceived or contrary to my sensibilities, but I do not feel that makes it evil.

 

[Guy Incognito]

Except that the singer, Tom Araya, is a devout Catholic. And most of their lyrics are about serial killers and occult themes they happen to find interesting (which does, admittedly, include Satanism, but none of them are satanists, they just find it an interesting perspective) and such. I agree, they do sometimes attack certain aspects of religion, but I don't see that as an attack against God or such.

As Araya put it: "People are not in good shape to where they have to question their own belief system because of a book or a story somebody wrote, or a Slayer song."

Oh I know their not satanists and that Tom is a catholic. I just can't get on board with their lyrical stuff, or their imagery.

I guess I'm in the same boat as you in the sense of that it's in and of itself evil, but more so 'I disagree greatly with what's being said, and don't think this should be being promoted'.

 

[Fenny the Fox]

I guess I'm in the same boat as you in the sense of that it's in and of itself evil, but more so 'I disagree greatly with what's being said, and don't think this should be being promoted'.

I can most definitely respect that, my friend.

 

[Qyöt27]

Teen pop and pretentious indie.

Wait...this was about evil music, not bad music. Never mind.



In all seriousness though, the only stuff I might give that label to would be some of those cases of black metal, what with the church burnings and violence. But I make a distinction between the genre itself (which is, as all genres based on musical composition are, neutral) and the actions/beliefs of some that perform in said genre. Of course, I don't really care for extreme metal - of any stripe - save for isolated tracks here and there. Has less to do with the lyrical content and more to do with the aural punishment involved. I draw the line at some Turmion Kätilöt and melodic death, pretty much.

 

[markb77]

I was going to make a Justin Bieber or some other lame Top 40 group joke, but I see Qyot27 pretty much beat me to it. Sorry, I don't know how to make an umlaut on my keyboard, Qyot.

 

[Standing_Ultraviolet]

Music is often imperfect, as is any entertainment medium. Authors, songwriters, directors, game designers, and others very often choose to include themes that might be sinful or immoral. However, some imperfect entertainment can be acceptable or even recommendable for those who are capable of separating the good from the bad.

Some music, though, is definitely completely and irredeemably morally offensive. Examples would be most gangster rap, anything by "shock metal" bands like Cannibal Corpse (no, I don't care that it's "just joking around", you're joking about killing people brutally), and that sort of general thing. It's up to the individual listening to form their conscience properly and to know both whether something will affect them negatively and whether something has value that outweighs its more offensive characteristics.

 

[OneWithTime]

I'd kinda put Slayer in this category. I mean, they have all the talent in the world, but I cannot get past their overtly blatant anti-Christian, down with God message. Or music that promotes heavy drug use.

Hope that makes sense.

singer for Slayer is a Christian dude. Tom Araya and it is strongly Atheist. Metal uses Satanism to frighten Christians all the time and I am a Metal Head and a Slayer fan

 

[OneWithTime]

Music is often imperfect, as is any entertainment medium. Authors, songwriters, directors, game designers, and others very often choose to include themes that might be sinful or immoral. However, some imperfect entertainment can be acceptable or even recommendable for those who are capable of separating the good from the bad.

Some music, though, is definitely completely and irredeemably morally offensive. Examples would be most gangster rap, anything by "shock metal" bands like Cannibal Corpse (no, I don't care that it's "just joking around", you're joking about killing people brutally), and that sort of general thing. It's up to the individual listening to form their conscience properly and to know both whether something will affect them negatively and whether something has value that outweighs its more offensive characteristics.

First time I heard the word "shock metal" used before but I find it fitting and strongly dislike Cannibal Corpses imagery. I like Death metal but Cannibal Corpse kinda ruins it for me. On a "side note" Death Metal doesn't get its name from literal Death. Comes from the band Death which hits the "Brown Note" in their music. Rather funny actually. But the Brown Note is a low frequency that causes anxiety and a host of other issues that give you a feeling of despair or "Death".

 

[Standing_Ultraviolet]

First time I heard the word "shock metal" used before but I find it fitting and strongly dislike Cannibal Corpses imagery. I like Death metal but Cannibal Corpse kinda ruins it for me. On a "side note" Death Metal doesn't get its name from literal Death. Comes from the band Death which hits the "Brown Note" in their music.

Ah. Interesting, although I'm sure that not even all that many death metal bands remember the source now

I have no problem with any genre of music, at least not from a moral standpoint. I like metal and metalcore, although I can't really get into music with absolutely no clean vocals (ie., parts where the singer isn't screaming). I can understand how you could, though.

Shock metal is, I guess, shock rock turned to metal, although I'm using it a little more narrowly to refer to bands who sing about horrific acts of violence, not just bands who wear costumes while singing or whatever. Shock rock technically includes any theatrical shock elements, so I do feel the need to specify a little.

 

[OneWithTime]

Ah. Interesting, although I'm sure that not even all that many death metal bands remember the source now

I have no problem with any genre of music, at least not from a moral standpoint. I like metal and metalcore, although I can't really get into music with absolutely no clean vocals (ie., parts where the singer isn't screaming). I can understand how you could, though.

Shock metal is, I guess, shock rock turned to metal, although I'm using it a little more narrowly to refer to bands who sing about horrific acts of violence, not just bands who wear costumes while singing or whatever. Shock rock technically includes any theatrical shock elements, so I do feel the need to specify a little.

Only metalcore and groove metal use screams and its not even metal. Punk and metal have been fused before to create sludge. Metalcore is something for the hardcore punks to fuse metal with, it is why people who like most metal dont like metalcore. MC is 60% punk and 40% metal while sludge is 60% metal and 40% punk as groove is just metal and rock fused in 1 taco .
I strongly dislike any form of shock elements in metal as I am an elitist metalhead (such a thing exist).
Death metal is inspired by russian classical music that used LOTS of bass to emphasize music while Black metal was originally inspired by the atmospheric chamber music that became present in Norway. Black metal has higher octaves while Death metal is totally low. The 2 genres are the same in the same manner 2 sides of a coin are the same yet total opposites. More humor is added because death metal and black metal started in rivaling countries, Norway and Sweden which ave been killing each other for 3,000 years now . Metal also comes from old progressive british blues in the 60's. Jazz and Blues actually had the fastest drummers not rock, look at the drummers James Brown had on his tours. So metal comes from old roots and was created to inspire radical elements of music that had been lost today in modern times. Bands became smaller while the minimum to play death metal is 2 guitars 1 bass and a full range drummer and a singer while some bands use 3 guitarist bassist and a drummer and a singer and synthesizers and a keyboardist. Or you can be like Dimmu Borgir and just carry a whole 120 piece orchestra with you with a choir

 

[Perhaps Today]

I'd kinda put Slayer in this category. I mean, they have all the talent in the world, but I cannot get past their overtly blatant anti-Christian, down with God message. Or music that promotes heavy drug use.

Hope that makes sense.

I have to agree with this, even knowing Tom Araya is Catholic. I can only stand a few of their songs because of their lyrics in most cases. A lot of metal does fall into this category, but not all. In my opinion one of the most evil groups outside of the black metal scene would be Danzig, which is a shame because I think he's loaded with talent. That and I'm a longtime Misfits fan.

 

[Contented]

What is your definition of evil music/bands/singers and why?

The Jonas Brothers—Satanic to the Core!!!

Satanic backward masking in rock music

Music that encourages drug use, disrespect women and speaks evil of God and glorifies Satan.

The group KISS -


Music should uplift the spirit.

 

[Pinta77]

I listen to a lot of... Er... Questionable music. Now I'm no expert theologist, but the way I see it, it is art despite the message, and I am simply admiring it.

 

[holyrokker]

"Christian" music that places profit over creativity is evil.

 

[Tolerant Skeptic]

Evil music is nonexistent. One cannot ascribe morality to art.