I have to point out at this stage thatto hang out with Nazis... but now I've completely rejected that scene and its nasty ideology" is easy to say but potentially means very little when you continue to hang-out and even collab2C eg. Death In June, 6 comm, Sol Invictus, Allerseelen and Blutarcsch amongst others.
I also understand the defences made by these bands and their fans for the use of fascist imagery and ideology, although I think such defences don't hold much water when you look at how dangerous and destructive an ideology fascism and Nazism have been in history, and indeed still are today.
Some defenders of the more controversial (crypto-fascist) Neofolk bands say that we don't understand the context in which the imagery and ideology are being used. Also, they say that as these bands' music is a form of art, they are free to express and "explore"(I'd say reminisce/adulate would be more accurate) whatever topics they wish, whether the crypto-fascism and numerous Nazi references are present or not.
I don't think this reasoning can be justified. Furthermore, I think it's dangerous to just accept these arguments without question.
If you look more closely (I strongly advise fans of Neo-Folk/ Post Industrial music to do this) at the histories and connections of many members of these bands, like Douglas Pearce, Patrick Leagas and Tony Wakeford , you learn that they often had, and still have, far-right or fascist friends and associates.
Coming out and saying "Oh, well I once was a fascist and used to hang out with Nazis... but now I've completely rejected that scene and its nasty ideology" is easy to say but potentially means very little when you continue to hang-out and even collaborate with overt fascists and Nazis, like Boyd Rice and Ian Read. Yet this is precisely the flawed tactic that has been used by Pearce, Leagas and others when questioned about their murky pasts.
Defenders of crypto-fascist Neofolk/Martial bands say detractors shouldn't take the constant
fascist/Nazi imagery and references at face value (we're told they are often "ironic" "pushing boundaries" or represent something else). In much the same way I say that such arguments shouldn't be blindly accepted.
The fact is, there is a substantial element in the Neofolk and Martial scene that is pro-fascist. Of course, most of those musicians I am taking about will flat out deny this. Some will even deny that the crypto-fascism is there at all, rather that the imagery has ancient pagan roots and has nothing to do with Nazism.....
Now, I can accept this argument to a certain extent. Symbols like the Death's Head and the Wolfsangel were indeed ancient pagan symbols. However, it is strange that the runic and other pagan symbols that the bands in question use most prominently (such as the Death's Head and Wolfsangel) are nearly always the same ones that the Nazis employed. Are we meant to believe that's it just a coincidence?
Another thing that's puzzled me for a while is why the more controversial Neo-folk bands like Death In June and Sol Invictus draw so heavily on fascist and Nazi imagery if they weren't promoting it in some way?
Having pride in, and promoting tradtional European music and culture is one thing ..... but I fail to see how constantly using Nazi imagery and aesthetics achieves anything other than promoting extreme far right ideology and xenophobia. Surely there is more to European culture and history than Nazy Germany and the Third Position??
I see the more crypto-fascist Neofolk bands as a threat to the scene and a dangerous element that, whether it is their true intention or not, are making fascism and far-right ideology more acceptable. In the same way that strong violence in some Hollywood films desensitizes the viewers to it, so these bands desensitize their listeners/viewers to the use of fascist imagery, culture and ideology.
Inevitably some of their fans will be young and/or naive people who are attracted to the traditionalism, counter-cultural or controversial /extreme aspects of Neofolk and Martial music. The same people may not be aware of the extremely fascist, racist and murderous nature of the ideologies and imagery presented by bands in this scene.
It is shame that the Neofolk scene has been infiltrated by representatives of the far right and fascism. Not only is it desensitizing young people to extreme and highly destructive ideology, it has also tarnished the scene's image as a whole.
More outsiders are now linking Neofolk with Neo-Nazim or other forms of fascism. Yes, it is tarring everyone in the scene with the same brush but as I and others have shown, unfortunately there is some truth behind the allegations.
I hope more fans of Neofolk and Martial choose not to accept the crypto-fascism and far-right associations of certain bands and restore the positive healthy image Neofolk should have.
