Black Metal Inspired By Satan Or Really Cool Stuff?

Black Metal Inspired By Satan Or Really Cool Stuff?

What a controversy! METAL's readers were recently sending us the heads of goats ’n’ stuff in protest or praise of the coverage we’ve given bands like Venom, Anthrax, Slayer and more! It was great! Unfortunately—get this—it seems some of our other readers find this sort of thing distasteful! Go figure! So, as completely fair editors who always put the readers first, we’ve decided to let you zany readers argue the whole thing out! Is this stuff really inspired by demonic beings? Is it made by wimps who will surely perish in everlasting hellfire? Is it just a big joke? Are we? Hey, don’t ask us— we’re completely lost and have no answers to any of those great questions!

KILL ALL SATANIC BANDS!

I just want to say I think all "satanic black metal” bands should be shot!! There’s too many negative thought vibrations surrounding this world already. If anything, we need a little more light shown on this earth, instead of darkness. It’s bands like you that give metal a bad name. Metal doesn’t have to be negative to be kick ass, and I think if the music were more positive and more intelligent lyrically, rockers might get a little more respect, like we all deserve. One last thing: "f~ the PMRC!” What a joke!!

Blaze Devil

Agonsa Hills, CA

BLACK METAL BE HOT!

Damn you all who put down black metal!! It, too, has a time and a place. It’s time is now. Its place is the national arenas, coast-to-coast. You sound all too familiar—it wasn’t too long ago that a certain man told an ambitious band that they’d "fly like a Led Zeppelin.” Heavy metal wouldn’t be where it is, if it weren’t for the classical "occult-oriented tag” it got. Bands like Venom, Metallica, and Anthrax (need I say more?!?!) are just carrying on the tradition in a sea of churning poseur rock groups. It won’t be long before Metallica headlines, and conquers the world. Those who kept the faith will be rewarded. The "bell tolls” for the rest of you. And for you, METAL, you’re getting old fast. Same old cliches, same cutdowns, and the same groups. If variety is the spice of life, then you’re the mag that died five years ago. Why don’t you do the world a favor and cover some groups who deserve a little recognition? The underground "thrash” movement is gaining ground everyday. Ride that wave, and your magazine will outlive Motley Crue for sure.

Power metal fan Herndon, VA

CRUE, RATT USELESS PRETTYBOYS!

We will usually buy your magazine if there is at least something about some good heavy metal bands. First off, stop writing about Quiet Riot, Ratt, Crue and Sister. They’re nothing but posers. They suck! Those bands dress in their silk and satin and try to look pretty for all the girls instead of playing the damn good heavy metal they used to! Second, the bands you should be writing about are the hardcore metal bands—bands like Metallica, Slayer, Venom, Exodus, Megadeth, Anthrax, Celtic Frost and Nasty Savage are real metal bands! They play real metal for real metal fans. Those are the bands that keep heavy metal alive! Last but not least, what the hell do you have against Grim Reaper? In your May ’85 issue, you said they were one of the 10 worst new acts of the ’80s. That’s bulls—! They kick ass over all the other s— that is coming out nowadays.

Ed and Jim Flushing NY

HILARIOUS CLASS/GAS RHYME!

I think METAL magazine has good shots of rock groups, but I wish you would stop putting s~ bands in your magazine such as Omen, Anthrax, Lizzy Borden, Rogue Male, Venom. These bands suck s— and probably confess they sing to the devil. Don’t classify them as heavy metal, classify them as s— and come out with a magazine called Close-Up Of S—. These bands can’t sing or do anything right. You should put more great color pictures of Dokken in your magazine, and others, including Frehley’s Comets, Reel Mountain, and more Kiss. I like your magazines. I can tell you that 95 percent of readers don’t listen to trash metal s~ groups like Venom—get rid of those s~ heads. I buy your heavy metal Close-Up because I like bands like Kiss and Ozzy, Ratt, Dio, AC/DC, Motley Crue, Van Halen, Dokken, Scorps, Deep Purple, TS—list goes on. Get some class, not smelly gas. Thank you.

David Vetter

Northpole, AK

TOUCHING “JIM” STORY!

Did you at METAL ever hear of Metallica? It appears as though you haven’t, due to your lack of coverage. As of this writing, Master Of Puppets' is number 34 on Billboard. How much longer will you wait? I recently had a chance to see them open up for Ozzy in Johnstown, PA. Mere words cannot explain how excellent they were, compared to Ozzy, who now resembles Stevie Nicks, except he’s thinner. After the show I had a chance to talk to James, Kirk and Cliff backstage. At only age 22, James is a very intelligent songwriter, who has even greater potential in the future. Metallica still haven’t received the recognition they deserve. Playing as they did though, it shouldn’t be too much longer. James is a real cool guy, as long as you call him James—and not Jim, as I did several times. I can’t say he didn’t warn me of the consequences. As I was leaving, I turned to him, shook his hand and said, “Later, Jim!” His grip tightened around my hand and he yelled, “What did you say?” I looked over and saw his fist heading toward my face. I ducked down and he laughed. I then said, “Later, James.” The metal militia is taking over. Join up before it’s too late.

Metal up your ass!

Joe Rembisz Pittsburgh, PA

SATAN “IS” REALITY! YOW1

Why do a lot of people make a big fuss about black metal bands? Why do these single-minded, shallow-life people tweak when they hear about the devil on a record? Hey, this is reality; this is part of life. Most of these bands are just stating what’s already going on in the world. It isn’t going to go away once they stop singing about it. If ya can’t deal with reality, just take a nice big hit of acid, and lock yourself in the closet. All these poser pusses think that if someone goes singing about ol’ Nick, they sacrifice babies in their bathtubs. I suppose if a basketball team is called the Bluedevils, they all meet at midnight and hold black masses in their captain’s basement. Get real— it’s only entertainment! I bet Stephen King, Edgar Allen Poe, Vincent Price, Elvira, and Count Chocula are all devil worshippers too, huh?

Black metal rules Magick (evil creed)

Rochester, NY

“BIG” DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SATAN & WITCHCRAFT

In your July ’86 issue you interviewed Dave Mustaine from Megadeth. Too bad all the reporter (Dave Segal) could write was “shut up and play yer guitar.” Mustaine did a lot of s—, but Segal could have asked better questions, too. I mean why ask bands what they think of other bands? Personally, I like Metallica and Megadeth, and I don’t like reading them talk about each other or call Ratt and the Crue names. I like Ratt and Crue, too, and think there’s room for hundreds of metal bands. They don’t need to fight to be the “best” and talk s— about other bands. Mustaine’s trip on witchcraft was bulls--. He thinks he can alleviate some of the pressure that’s on kids inspired by witchcraft. He says once you get into it, you’re doomed or evil. I think there’s a big difference in being into witchcraft and worshipping Satan. Satan lovers may be doomed, but not all witchcraft and magic has to do with Satan. I also didn’t get any kind of impression that he was alleviating some of the pressure (as he said) when I heard “Skull Beneath The Skin.” Another thing he said, acid, coke, and stuff may ruin brain cells, but he smokes pot. Well, pot ruins brain cells too, so who the f— is he to condone people who do acid and coke? Who is he to say one drug is worse than another? I didn’t know he was a doctor. To a different subject—the boy who committed suicide and how his parents blame “Suicide Solution” and are suing Ozzy! Any fool can read the lyrics to the song and see the alcohol message. (Ozzy wrote the song after Bon Scott drank too much on that fatal night.) Didn’t the boy’s parents even think that maybe Ozzy’s tunes were his favorite, and he wanted them to be the last thing he listened to? I guess that’s it, but you guys should print concert dates in your magazine. My friend Tricia says “high” to Tommy Lee (now she owes me a j. Show some Randy Rhoads pictures.) Keep rockin.’

Reenie Ogallala, NE

DAVIS NOT ESPECIALLY LIKED!

Peter Davis, you suck. I read your article on Bathory and Possessed. I wish Quorthon would rip your heart out, and eat it in front of you before you die! Quorthon’s voice rules and you s— frog balls. Print this in your mag and a lot of death metallers will agree! OK, so you didn’t put Possessed down (you’re f—ing lucky). All right, enough with the put-downs. You guys are starting to put death bands in your false mag, like Bathory, Possessed, Slayer, Venom etc. But why don’t you get some real, true bands like Death, Poizon, Hellhammer, Exodus, Slayer (not with the same pictures), Exciter, Suicidal Tendencies, Anti Christ, Onslaught, Voi Vod, Sodom...and the list goes on. Oh, that article on C.O.C. was kick-ass. See? Put kick-ass bands in your mag and more metallers will read it. Sorry for putting Davis down so bad, but he’s a d—head. Why don’t you take false metal out of your mag like false Crue, Kiss, Bon Jokki, Aerosmith, Accept...and the list goes on and on.

A real vampire Zombie Clone Royal Oak, Ml