– A hand gesture and two words are enough to start a whole movement. It is important that this is not drowned out and displaced. That’s what the neo-feminist black metal band Witch Club Satan says. They themselves will play at this year’s Tons of Rock and risk sharing the stage with the rock band Pantera. – It is deeply provocative, says drummer Johanna Holt Kleive. Now, Witch Club Satan would prefer that Tons of Rock take a greater responsibility, and that with one, simple move: To remove Pantera from the poster. PROVOCATED: – Sending Pantera back would have been a clear attempt to root out the weeds, and a genuine position that rock and metal is for everyone, says Witch Club Satan. Photo: Roger Hennum A hand gesture and two words The hand gesture and the two words Witch Club Satan is referring to, comes from Pantera vocalist Phil Anselmo. The seven-year-old Nazi-like salute, together with shouting “white power”, is causing rumors for parts of the world tour the metal band will embark on this spring. Two weeks ago it became known that the German double festivals Rock am Ring and Rock im Park in Nuremberg removed Pantera from the poster after complaints and criticism from fans. The Austrian festival Gasometer came to the same conclusion shortly after, media such as The Guardian and DR report. The festival arena in Nuremberg is located in the same area where Hitler’s Nazi party had its annual gatherings in the 1930s. The performance was in connection with a memorial concert for the late band member and guitarist, “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott. Anselmo later publicly apologized for the episode, after initially blaming it on “internal humor” combined with “too much white wine consumption”. But this is not the first time he has been in trouble for his statements. In 1995, he allegedly had a problem with the rap genre because it “pissed all over white culture, according to the metal magazine Louder Sound, and in 2001 he shouted “white power” at a concert in South Korea. – Tons of Rock sends a signal The punk band Hudkreft supports Witch Club Satan in the criticism. They are disappointed by the lack of action from the Norwegian metal festival. – Even if Ekebergsletta is not an old Nazi meeting place, Tons of Rock should still remove them, says Hudkreft drummer Stella Oter Lindeberg. They think the metal festival sends a negative signal by keeping Pantera. – When the top metal bosses in Norway do not remove the band from the poster, they send a signal that it is okay to make neo-Nazi statements as long as you apologize. It is a pure disclaimer. – Racist attitudes have no place in society, at least not on a stage. Tons of Rock gives Pantera a platform by keeping them, Hudkreft believes. Photo: Ingrid Nedrebø / news Believes in new chances Tons of Rock has been confronted with the criticism and says this to news: – Phil Anselmo has publicly apologized for his unacceptable behavior from 2016 a number of times. Tons of Rock believes in giving everyone new chances, and looks forward to experiencing these legends at Ekebergsletta this summer, says press officer Lars Baade. Radio Rock profile Torkil Torsvik is also looking forward to experiencing Pantera in the capital in June. – Those who know Pantera’s history know that these are attitudes the band has never fronted. I can understand that those who see the video may be alarmed, but it has been seven years and they have regretted it. Pantera fan and Radio Rock profile Torkil Torsvik has followed Pantera since the 90s. Torsvik points out that it is important to separate the individual from the art, but emphasizes that the vocalist must tread carefully on the tour. – He should keep that right arm very still. Must use the stage light Both Hudkreft and Witch Club Satan believe the organizers have a responsibility to make the metal genre accessible and safe for everyone. But if you end up at the same festival as, for example, Pantera, artists have the opportunity to take a clear distance, Hudkreft believes: – You can say or do something from the stage to show where you stand. It is also going to be the tactic of Witch Club Satan. Rather than withdrawing, they should make good use of the stage lights on Ekebergsletta. – We will stand at Tons of Rock this summer and convey some ideas that are actually worth something in society and make it extremely clear what we mean, concludes Holt Kleive. news has tried to get in touch with Pantera, but has been unsuccessful. Witch Club Satan hopes that there may be a change in how we react to such questions by Pantera taking the consequences of their own actions. Photo: Steve Nilsen
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Norwegian bands ask Tons of Rock to remove Pantera after Nazi-like hand gesture – news Kultur og entertainment
