by Metal Hypocrites

The current chatter in the underground surrounds the controversial Metal Threat Festival, which took place in Chicago, October 2-5, with a slew of international underground acts. It drew plenty of attention for its dream lineup and the rash of cancellations that followed, as many bands were denied their US visas just weeks ahead of the show. The promoter doubled down on controversy a few weeks before the event by adding the American band Arghoslent as an initially unnamed headliner.

There’s no way to soft-pedal the fact that this band is controversial, as they have featured “racist” content to different degrees in their lyrics and presentation. That’s a story unto itself. What’s relevant here is that nearly forty other bands agreed to travel to Chicago from around the world to perform before Arghoslent was announced. Many of them had additional American tour dates booked through Metal Threat as well. So when it came to the event, it looks like most of the bands upheld their end of the bargain and performed, as did Arghoslent.

The following Monday, local Bay Area band Ripped to Shreds announced they were canceling their Berkeley appearance with veteran death metal act Master because the latter didn’t decline to appear at Metal Threat with Arghoslent on the bill. Keep in mind that Master was on a 26-date American tour, and Metal Threat was just one show on the schedule. It’s also worth noting they didn’t appear on the same day with Arghoslent. To them, it was just another gig.

Nevertheless, Andrew Lee of Ripped to Shreds stated on Facebook:

refusing to play with a neonazi band like arghoslent that glorifies the black slave trade is the lowest possible bar and master still failed it, so we’re withdrawing from friday’s show at @924gilmanstreet support to @bitterendbooking for doing the right thing and canceling the show.

The post grew legs, and the Berkeley show was canceled altogether. Then subsequent Master tour dates were also canceled in the wake of the controversy.

You may be thinking, “So what? A band played on a festival with a yucky Nazi band, got called out, and are now rightfully taking heat for it.” Well here’s where it gets interesting. Andrew Lee co-owns a label called Nameless Grave Records with fellow metal musician Brandon Corsair. Brandon has supported his label partner by also emphatically endorsing Master’s cancellation on social media. The duo have several releases out, including multiple re-releases and current recordings from a power metal band called Twisted Tower Dire. The reason this is significant is because this band features previous and active members of Arghoslent.

Take a look at the provided screencaps, courtesy of Metal Archives. TTD’s drummer Marc Stauffer formerly played in Arghoslent, and former TTD guitarist and current Arghoslent guitarist Nick Murtaugh recorded on the albums Nameless Grave re-issued while he was in Arghoslent and the band all Good People love to hate, Grand Belial’s Key.

Guys, really? You took the moral high ground to bash a long-running (and left-leaning) band like Master, and you’re effectively in business with the same horrible band they made the mistake of being adjacent to on a fest? Did you think no one would notice? Apparently!

Corsair also admitted privately on Facebook Messenger (screencap included below) :

I literally own Arghoslent vinyl. I just wouldn’t like, post that shit.

Is there such a thing as a triple standard? Brandon Corsair may be inventing it before our eyes.

In the meantime, Andrew Lee recently posted a video on his YouTube channel called, “How Heavy Metal Upholds White Supremacy.” Considering the time and money Andrew has spent on colluding with members of an openly white supremacist band, he’s technically correct.

I don’t like Arghoslent. Their music and message are shitty, and there’s an easy case to be made for their condemnation. But the people making that case better be on the right side of it, especially before defaming a non-affiliated working band whose reputation and livelihood  was damaged in the process.

Master did not give any members of Arghoslent money. Master never produced or promoted any music attached to Arghoslent. But Andrew Lee and Brandon Corsair sure did. Who should we really be looking at in this scenario?

The metal underground is increasingly compromised by double agents, bad actors, and shills, many of whom use cancel culture as self-promotion. But the door swings both ways, and we are here to fight fire with fire. Their hands are dirty, often worse than the bands and individuals they seek to defame, and we are here to document it. It is time to cancel the cancellers.

Tags: andrew lee, Arghoslent, brandon corsair, master, metal hypocrites, nameless grave records, ripped to shreds, white supremacy