Note: This was recorded before the COVID pandemic and George Floyd protests began

Metal has always been talking about the filthiness of the world and humanity and you can't do that without mentioning politics.

"Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you" - Pericles

Peace sells...... but who’s buying?

therapist: trump hetfield isn't real he can't hurt you trump hetfield in the thumbnail:

Religion is a big part of metal Nothing is off limits in metal

Metal has always been political, people just haven't been paying attention

People only have a problem with politics in music when they disagree with the political assessment. It's why a conservative person will say "keep politics to yourself and just play music" to Billie Joe of Green Day, but be silent on Ted Nugent's ramblings. And vice versa.

Politics in Metal? Megadeth: Allow us to introduce ourselves

LMAO James Hetfield with trumps hair in the thumbnail looks like John F Kennedy

Chaos A.D. Tanks on the streets Confronting police Bleeding the plebs

A wild lion in 1988 said: "Independence limited Freedom of choice is made for you my friend Freedom of speech is words that they will bend Freedom with their exception"

Freedom of expression my guy, if a musician wants to use their platform to express their views, good for them.

I like what James Hetfield once said, "Make up your own mind". Metal bands can have their opinions (and do) and it comes across in their music. But each individual needs to make up their own mind according to what they read and understand. Read widely, discover facts and make up your own mind. Don't let any band, any personality, any politician tell you what to think.

War sucks. People suck. The weather sucks. Everything sucks. Let's make it better.

If music is culture and culture is politics then you have your answer

Politics changes...but "Metal is Forever"!!!

Politics is always in art and music. There is no avoiding it. Metal was targeted by conservatives super heavily in the 80's and 90;s.

That ending was EPIC

Taking politics out of metal would be unnatural

Nothing should be kept out of metal. Metal is music. Music is expressive. If someone wants to express their views on politics through metal no matter what "side" all the more power to them.

*Half of metal lyrics are politics.*

Politics should not be kept out of metal, but definitely it should be kept out of Loudwire.

If you call yourself a metal head, and you somehow missed that metal is inherently "anti-establishment" and political and all about sticking it to the man, then you have just been here for the KRRENGS and the machine gun drumming.

You said we left Iraq in 2011, we still have 20,000+ troops stationed there, we never fully left anywhere

Should politics be kept out of metal? Absolutely NO. Art is political by nature. Sure, not all artists have to be political; but we cannot shut down those artists who are.

As lemmy once said have fun don't hurt each other and screw politics

Politics and metal go hand in hand. Sacred Reich and Nuclear assault just to name a couple have politics in their lyrics.

Everyone: Should politics be kept out of music? Everyone: Yes. Punk: No.

Rage Against the Machine: "Do i mean nothing to you!?"

I have no problem with metal bands putting out political music. It's when bands or celebrities in general get overly preachy and/or self righteous about their views that I have a problem with.

As a musician, I can't stand it when people try to tell me what I should or shouldn't write about. Artists have things they want to say and deserve the right to say it.

Iron Maiden actually spoke against war. Just listen to "A Real Live One" when Bruce spoke against war and politicians before singing "Afraid to Shoot Strangers".

Absolutely not Music should have freedom of expression in every genre Or we should keep out byob or lots of megadeth songs too

Metal + Politics = Some really good music and insight.

I can not keep politics out of my Heavy Metal. My band's debut album "Pleasure In Misery" is very political. Writing from small and insignificant India.

the way he said “brujeria” 😬😬😬😬

MegaDeth & BodyCount make perfect expample of why politics and Metal go hand and hand

About the "children of the grave": "Revolution in their minds the children start to march against the world in which they have to live and all the HATE that's in their hearts, they're tired of being pushed around and told just what to do, they'll fight the world until they've won and LOVE comes flowing through, yeah.." (*Black Sabbath)

System of a down: n o

A very strong no. No politics in music, let alone metal, denies us some amazing music. No politics means no ...and justice for all, no rage against the machine , no mega death, no rise against, no bad religion, no clash. No politics means you can’t talk about war, there goes a good chunk of metal.

Mr clean approves metal 👍

Black Sabbath's War Pigs-a political song-gave birth to metal. 'Nuff said.

Therapist: Donald Hetfield isn't real, he can't hurt you. Donald Hetfield:

If politics will be excluded from metal, what will be the message from the songs? The majority of songs are somehow saying the same thing :OUR SYSTEMS SUCKS

Soon they’re gonna be like “No gore aloud in metal”

You can't tell people what to write metal about, that's what makes metal raw and hardcore

It all depends on the musicians. If they want/like to talk about politics in their lyrics, it's up to them. Those who either don't like politics in music or don't agree with the views of the band members have always the choice to not listen to their music. For each band that address political themes in their lyrics, there are plenty that write about many other things.

If Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young could make a song about the shootings in Ohio, then politics can work well in Rock music

Metal is my happy place and politics suck. No place for them together.

Latin American metal always had a very strong political undertone for the most part, as it was mostly for and from the working class. Back in the early 80s during the military dictatorship in Argentina, V8 (considered the first "proper" heavy metal band from the country) together with Los Violadores (one, if not our first punk band) sung about the crimes committed by the government and the hypocrisy of a society resigned to its situation, that chose to sing hippie songs about peace and love rather than facing their problems. Of course this led to them having quite a lot of nights in jail.

Graham: Bands like *Slayer,* Kreator and Destruction seem to be celebrating war Also Graham: *Slayer* made an anti-war song *BRUH*

Politics should not be kept out of metal... ...unless a band takes a stance I don't agree with, in which case they should be banned from Spotify.

There's gonna be a bunch of people outting themselves in these comments from the title alone.

The metal bands from the 80's that started singing about politics all listened to hardcore punk which was all about politics

Metal bands should be able to say anything related to politics that they want - Whether they're a conservative or a liberal. Metal is art and artists should always be encouraged to express themselves. When hundreds of years had passed and historians/archaeologists/whatever tries to figure out what society was like during this time period, one of the primary things they'll look at is art.

Haven't watched the video yet, about to but just gonna plug my two cents in before I do: Rock 'n' roll originated through expression of politics and is a prime example of freedom of expression and free thinking. Even if you don't agree with the viewpoint or the message of songs, the principle concept of freedom of expression is important to uphold and once artists are told what they can and cannot make, it's no longer art. If you get uncomfortable with opposing viewpoints and opinions, then maybe that's more of an indicator that you don't stand firm in your own beliefs and are too afraid to confront and reaffirm or change your beliefs; whether or not your beliefs are right are wrong. If you can challenge your beliefs with deep open thinking, that strengthens the mind.

"The Man is a political animal" - Aristotle. So yes, everything is political, that's what makes us human. You're political, whether you like it or not, otherwise you're just an animal. Metal has always been an alternative way of thinking, way of living, so whether the message is clear or not, metal is political.

How about growing up and realize that, you don't agree with your favorite bands. They don't owe you anything, or that they are allowed to have their statements, just like you.

I can hear the angered screams of 40+ year old men in the comments

There should be no restrictions as to what metal songs’ messages should be. Whether you disagree with the messages or not.

Art is and will always be a tool for expression, teaching and honouring, it will always express ideas, philosphies and opinions, will always teach something or bring honour to something the artist like. I don't see why politics should be exempted from this. A lot of the music I listen to has a political or ideological message or is steeped in some ideology or philosphy, some that are in line with my own ideas, others contradicting my beliefs and I like both. Sometimes you have to be provoked and pulled from your comfort zone to learn something. As for artists themselves being political, outside of lyrical content or at shows, again, I fail to see the issue. As long as they play a proper playlist at concerts and make appealing music, I see no reason not to support them or be bothered by it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and should be able to share it, so why would celebrities and artists be exempt?

In my point of view, rock and metal is like a mirror, it reflects what it sees. That is, if conservative or progressive politicians do something wrong, rock protests against it, after all, rock is a way of expressing our discomfort with totalitarian systems, whether they are fascist or not.

The white man came across the sea He brought us pain and misery He killed our tribes, he killed our creed He took our game for his own need We fought him hard, we fought him well Out on the plains we gave him hell But many came too much for Cree Oh will we ever be set free

Metal shouldn't be partisanized into Republicanism or Democratism. It's political, but not in a generic, partisan way. The problem isn't politicization, it's partisanization. Should you have to stop listening to bands you like and agree with about certain things because they voted for that guy/gal you hate? No. That's the real issue.

Politics in Metal? Rage Against the Machine: Am I joke to you?

Music is art and art is a reflection of life. If you’re a human being than politics affect your life on a daily basis. Do people objecting to their inclusion in metal think Black Sabbath weren’t being at all political with their music from the very beginning?

Kreator have songs against the wars, that are waged by politicians like Total Death for example. They are well known for being anti-fascist.

Turn that damn racket off i want to watch the news, This is the news

Even if you try to keep it out, it's still gonna loom.

I think politics should be kept out of music all around. We listen to music to escape the bs of the world.

Please tell me exactly how much “intense research” it took to find out holy wars was about war 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Nope. Wasn’t that one of the reasons metal became a thing in the first place?

loudwire got woke in 2020 😈😈

I see Metal as more philosophical than political. There is some overlap, of course, the two topics are most definitely linked.

METAL's politics can be trace back in Flower Power '60s. Because of Vietnam war.(Classic ROCK) ✌

"When politics are in metal it is usually anti war" Yeah. Tell Sabaton that.

Municipal Waste is still going strong with their political message.

Politics should be kept out of everything 🙄

Metal is about speaking your mind period. If you start putting any rules on what can be in Metal that is the moment Metal dies.

we would miss out on a lot of really good music... so, no. if ya don't like it, don't listen to it! derrrr!

politics should definitely stay out of metal... Except if its the politics I believe in.

Random tory dude: Keep politics out of metal! Me, leaning in close: *Lemme tell you something about metal and punk's history together you lil shit*

Facts thank you for making this video LoudWire

how about the entire media itself should keep politics out of our faces.

I never even noticed the rhyming of masses and masses lmao

Can't deny that Megadeth is one of the metal bands who sings about politics

Though I might not agree with what you might say, I will defend to the death your right to say it. Freedom of speech is the basis of our freedom. When either side of the aisle try to censor each other that's when we start to loose our basic rights.

"Metalbands are just glorifying war, death and destruction!" Ever heard og satire...?

Megadeth does it all the time!

Johnny Got His Gun legit scares the living shut out off me. Genuinely the scariest book I’ve ever read. Loved it. Politics have always been in metal.

Yes, politics divides us, music should be an escape from it. It's sad to see so many metal musicians posting about politics, whatever side it may be.

Loudwire: politics don’t belong in metal Black Metal: nothing to see here...

As a general rule I think that being overly political when it's petty, frivolous, and simply unnecessary is a dumb idea. However, sometimes it is necessary and if you have something you feel like you NEED to say, then come out and say it. Even if you think you might get some heat/backlash for it. You should not and simply CANNOT be afraid to express your opinions, certainly not here (Unites States). If we ever get to that point, dark days lie ahead.

Politics should also be kept out from movies too!

I enjoy politics in music when it's not biased and said musicians put all politicians on blast and aren't hypocrites, For Example Rage Against The Machine are now the Machine

Is it James Trump or Donald J. Hetfield on the cover?🧐

Loudwire: makes video about politics in metal. also loudwire: doesn’t mention rage against the machine once.... smh

A common joke among German metalheads is that Manowar would never be possible in Germany due to their lyrics. (I know nowadays there is heavier stuff, but it still holds)

I don't mind politics when it's big themes and done poetically but when it's just "Republicans suck!" or "Democrats suck!" it starts to turn me off. Machine Head was one of my favorite bands since they began but when they started attacking me and my politics directly I was and am done with them. But songs about the awfulness of war, poverty, disease and really any social ills are fine. There's nothing more metal than addressing the dark side of life and the numerous ways we as humans suffer through it or not.