The next evolution of Black Metal.........BlackGrass[views:11228][posts:63]_________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 12:49pm - KEVORD ""] Environment, unions, bluegrass, and metal: Panopticon’s “Kentucky” [img] Louisville's one-man metal band Panopticon has been redefining its genre since 2007. Vocalist/guitarist/bassist/drummer Austin Lunn plays black metal mixed with bluegrass, called "blackgrass" - a newly emerging subgenre that just a handful of artists currently play. Bridging the gap between his favorite music and his cultural roots, Lunn's newest album, Kentucky, takes an important look at the plight of the Kentucky coal miners, environmentalism, and unions. Culturally, Panopticon is a band that fits perfectly on the Cascadian Black Metal spectrum. The Cascadian scene is so named because it first developed in the Cascadian Mountain region; such bands played a particular, folk-tinged style of black metal, which almost always touched upon nature and the environment - and sometimes paganism or mysticism. The scene has spread in recent years - as far south as Kentucky, which is where Panopticon took the reigns, linking environmentalism with the historical fight for workers' rights. Kentucky, in its eight lyrically and emotionally adept songs, covers corporate greed, union busting, environmental abuse, and the bonds of workers and family - and those are just the main themes. Referencing real historical events from the 1930s up to the present, Panopticon laments how mountaintop removal (which involves using explosives to uncover coal) is a profit-driven practice that cuts coal miners' jobs, poisons local ecosystems, and poisons workers themselves. Worker conditions and union strength The mountains of Kentucky, said Lunn in an interview with Worm Gear 'Zine, "are being crumbled. Coal companies are always on the defensive, and the Republicans are at it again with the "Stop the War on Coal Act." Mining site areas are among the poorest in the nation, the most polluted with the lowest quality of life, and [the Republicans] say there's a war on coal? How about a war on the environment and workers! "The legislation is a combination of five bills. Among other things, it would block the EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and other sources, and prevent rules on the storage and disposal of coal ash." Lunn also sings about the anti-union actions that coal miners endured, including the use of "gun thugs" by coal companies (private guards hired to intimidate union organizers and keep them out of coal mines and company towns), and the workers' eventual victory, through organizing under the United Mine Workers of Amerca, that won them unionization and collective bargaining rights. "Worker conditions and union strength are issues that are close to my heart," Lunn remarked. "I firmly believe the boss needs us - we don't need the boss. So for me, it was moving what happened in eastern Kentucky: there was brutality, bloodshed, and horror, but the people there stood for something, banded together, and fought for what they believed in. I think the union struggle of the 30's and 70's is something we can all learn from - taking responsibility for ourselves and taking care of our communities." "This is an industry that views workers as disposable, and views the landscape as disposable," says the voice of a coal miner, sampled during the song "Come All Ye Coal Miners." "These weren't black-clad anarchists or hippies," Lunn clarified. "They were families and the elderly - people wanting their kids to be able to play on the playground toxin-free. The last lines of that song talk about coal companies not giving a sh*t about the people who work for them, or the communities around mining sites." Moments of pure blackgrass Overall, Kentucky is generally pretty successful at mixing traditional black metal with bluegrass and, sometimes, folk music. Lunn blends blackened screams with bluesy singing; electric guitar with banjo. The instrumental swaps and combinations seem to work, but there is still some additional blending that could be done. For example, "Which Side Are You On?" (a powerful pro-worker anthem) is entirely a bluegrass song, while "Killing the Giants as They Sleep" is basic black metal. But on songs like "Black Soot and Red Blood," there are moments of pure blackgrass. The instrumental "Bernheim Forest in the Spring," meanwhile, harkens back to the nature-worship that Cascadian Black Metal was built upon; it also evokes the softer elements of prog metal bands like Opeth. And "Bodies Under the Falls" takes a lyrical left-turn, as it is by and large about the killings of Cherokee Indians in Kentucky by "palefaces." These songs still fit in perfectly with their peers, and measure up to what seems to be the album's main theme: the historical assaults that have been waged against the people and land in Kentucky. Kentucky teaches the listener that gritty, scream-filled bluegrass is not a paradox; nor is it a trend or a joke. An open mind, and a pair of ears well-accustomed to black metal's sound structure, are required for this music to be enjoyed. But even for those whose taste blackgrass may not suit, Panopticon's lyrical statements alone ought to be appreciated as art with an eye for labor and environmental history. New bands in the 'Cascadian' scene are now popping up in different regions - from the Rust Belt to the Deep South - bringing along with them perspectives that are progressive and much more philosophical than black metal's Scandinavian pioneers. At the forefront of this movement is Panopticon, who, though having acquired only an underground fanbase, represents pro-union, pro-nature black metal in its finest hour. http://peoplesworld.org/environment-unions...ss-and-metal-panopticon-s-kentucky/ :spineyes:Fucking hippies!:spineyes: |
| _________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 12:50pm - KEVORD ""] bennyhillifier |
| _________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 12:52pm - KEVORD ""] bennyhillifier |
| ________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 1:01pm - Burnsy ""] Bluegrass is amazing. Haven't heard this yet but I'm initially skeptical of black metal getting anywhere near bluegrass. Will give it a shot though. I dug social disservices. |
| ________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 1:03pm - KEVORD ""] I posted it because its silly. Not for you to enjoy. |
| ________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 1:09pm - Burnsy ""] Indeed. |
| ___________________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 1:29pm - slar you morbid? ""] i only listened to the second song posted, but i thought it was pretty cool musically, although i didn't hear anything i recognized as bluegrass. as far as the lyrical themes go, i guess the whole drawing upon your environment and history of its people isnt without precedent, but i usually like my black metal to stick to the esoteric and philosophical (even if that philosophy is just nuns gargling goat semen) and steer clear of worldly and political issues. |
| ___________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 1:58pm - nekronaut ""] "black grass" just another faggot term made up by faggots to get write ups in faggot magazines like Spin and get airplay on NPR. GO HOME FAGGOT. |
| ___________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 2:01pm - nekronaut ""] ...also article is written by obvious faggot [img] |
| ____________________________________________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 2:09pm - DYA is @ ON THE PORCELAIN THRONE OF TERRA ""] "blackgrass" NO. "emerging subgenre" DOUBLE NO |
| ________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 2:16pm - KEVORD ""] Coals and Grass Black Metal. |
| ___________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 2:19pm - Boozegood ""] bennyhillifier bennyhillifier bennyhillifier bennyhillifier bennyhillifier |
| ______________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 3:20pm - the_reverend ""] would smoke. |
| ____________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 3:52pm - trioxin245 ""] JUST IGNORE IT AND IT WILL GO AWAY |
| ________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 3:57pm - KEVORD ""] I only point out its absurdity. To me this is just as silly as the death metal band dressed up as clowns. |
| ____________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 4:45pm - MotleyGrue ""] fucking shame, with a name like black grass it should be some sort of new killer weed |
| __________________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 4:53pm - largefreakatzero ""] KEVORD said:I only point out its absurdity. To me this is just as silly as the death metal band dressed up as clowns. The death metal clowns were more interesting because one was a pedo/rapist. Mixing bluegrass with black metal is just plain gay. |
| ____________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 4:56pm - trioxin245 ""] LOL I just realized the album is called KENTUCKY and the cover is a picture of a coal miner LLLLLLLOOOOOOOLLLLLLLL |
| ________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 5:03pm - KEVORD ""] Now read the lyrical content that has nothing to do with black metal. |
| ________________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 5:11pm - DestroyYouAlot ""] largefreakatzero said: KEVORD said:I only point out its absurdity. To me this is just as silly as the death metal band dressed up as clowns. The death metal clowns were more interesting because one was a pedo/rapist. Mixing bluegrass with black metal is just plain gay. Implying this guy isn't a pedorapist. Also, only Dolly Parton is real. GTFO with this poser coal miner shit. |
| ____________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 5:49pm - arilliusbm ""] I lile some of their other material. And bluegrass is the shit. But this is lol and just... Ah, fuck it I dont care anymore. I cant wait to commit suicide soon |
| ____________________________ [Nov 10,2012 6:07pm - Uh ""] bennyhillifier Tjolgtjar > whatever this thread is |
| _____________________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 6:12pm - ancient master nli ""] that one song on the S/T Taake album last year with the banjo is good |
| _____________________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 6:15pm - ancient master nli ""] inb4 that was on noregs vaapen |
| _____________________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 6:23pm - ancient master nli ""] 3:20 bennyhillifier also this reminded me bennyhillifier |
| _________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 11:21pm - xmikex ""] I wish this thread was just titled "hey look at this cool bluegrass song" and only the first video was posted. otherwise I wouldn't think this sucked. |
| _______________________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 11:37pm - BobNOMAAMRooney nli ""] I've been trying to get into this album for the past few months but the black metal tracks are just bland. Really liked the title track and samples from Harlan County, USA though. |
| _______________________________________________ [Nov 10,2012 11:40pm - BobNOMAAMRooney nli ""] And while politically I do find it kind of interesting I'm reminded of Morgan's post on Honeypump back in the dark ages re:getting your history from black metal being akin to learning about WWII from Sgt. Rock. |
| _____________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 10:05am - arilliusbm ""] KEVORD said:Now read the lyrical content that has nothing to do with black metal. DEFINE BLACK METAL |
| _________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 10:12am - KEVORD ""] Shut up Aril. If you're gonna start claiming union politics are a common topic of Black Metal you can fuck right off. |
| _____________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 11:26am - arilliusbm ""] DEFINE UNION POLITICS |
| _________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 11:30am - KEVORD ""] LOL, what a jerk. |
| ____________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 1:21pm - arilliusbm ""] DEFINE JERK |
| ________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 1:23pm - KEVORD ""] You |
| ____________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 1:34pm - arilliusbm ""] I got nothin. |
| _________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 1:44pm - Snowden ""] 1. First track is okay, but definitely not bluegrass. It sounds kind of like "old time" music played by Gogol Bordello fans. I'd bet money the fiddle player is a ringer who didn't listen to bluegrass/North American/Scotch-Irish folk music before joining this band. 2. I gave up on the second track midway through the first long sample. The acoustic guitar stuff they have going on there doesn't sound like any North American folk music I've heard, let alone anything from Kentucky. 3. I appreciate what they're trying to do, because Appalachian history is grim enough to rival anything in Norway or Finland, and because I think there's something to be said for drawing on your own local folk traditions instead of reaching halfway around the world, but (based on these two tracks) it sounds like they learned "folk music" from NPR. |
| _________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 1:45pm - Snowden ""] BobNOMAAMRooney%20nli said:And while politically I do find it kind of interesting I'm reminded of Morgan's post on Honeypump back in the dark ages re:getting your history from black metal being akin to learning about WWII from Sgt. Rock. Haha. DARK AGES INDEED |
| _________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 1:52pm - Snowden ""] But seriously, I love bluegrass (and have played in multiple bluegrass bands) but it's a huge red flag when writers/bands talk about it as if it was synonymous with "folk music." Because it's really not - "bluegrass" was very much the creation of a few musicians (Bill Monroe et al.) in the 40s. Obviously it drew on actual folk music tradition from the Appalachian region, but it was also very influenced by gospel, jazz, pop, and Scotch/Irish folk music. To put it in perspective, when I've been to serious old-time jam sessions the reaction to bluegrass is: 50% it's cool but we're not playing that here 50% GTFO WITH THAT COMMERCIAL SHIT So I don't know - it doesn't sound like Panopticon are even that serious about playing bluegrass, let alone actual Kentucky folk music. Bummer. |
| _________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 1:55pm - Snowden ""] Anyhow, on a less negative note, here's a clip of an incredible folk musician from Virginia: Kilby Snow. This is him hanging with his kid: [img] And this is him totally killing it on autoharp (of all things): bennyhillifier |
| ________________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 2:32pm - DestroyYouAlot ""] Snowden said:But seriously, I love bluegrass (and have played in multiple bluegrass bands) but it's a huge red flag when writers/bands talk about it as if it was synonymous with "folk music." Because it's really not - "bluegrass" was very much the creation of a few musicians (Bill Monroe et al.) in the 40s. Obviously it drew on actual folk music tradition from the Appalachian region, but it was also very influenced by gospel, jazz, pop, and Scotch/Irish folk music. To put it in perspective, when I've been to serious old-time jam sessions the reaction to bluegrass is: 50% it's cool but we're not playing that here 50% GTFO WITH THAT COMMERCIAL SHIT So I don't know - it doesn't sound like Panopticon are even that serious about playing bluegrass, let alone actual Kentucky folk music. Bummer. This. tl;dr version: mountain music =/= bluegrass |
| _________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 2:34pm - Muffins ""] Good Kilby. I wonder what they would sound like if anyone on this site got laid ever. tyhe whole "metal" industry would crumble |
| _________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 2:36pm - Muffins ""] bennyhillifier |
| ________________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 2:38pm - DestroyYouAlot ""] C- post, I'll let you take it home and redraft it for Monday. |
| _________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 2:41pm - Muffins ""] thanks professor. i have a feeling if i sucked your dick i'd get an A+ |
| ________________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 2:44pm - DestroyYouAlot ""] See me after class. |
| _____________________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 2:49pm - ancient master nli ""] bennyhillifier |
| ________________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 2:53pm - DestroyYouAlot ""] bennyhillifier |
| _____________________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 3:03pm - graveside arillius ""] COME DEFINE WITH US |
| _____________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 4:42pm - Randy_Marsh ""] Rut roh genre mixing |
| ______________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 5:07pm - goatcatalyst ""] nekronaut said:...also article is written by obvious faggot [img] Buttdart music for buttdart people. FUCK OFF NOWADAYS BUTTDARTS (side order of F-word B-word) |
| _________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 5:35pm - Snowden ""] Randy_Marsh said:Rut roh genre mixing ...except that they aren't really playing the genre they claim to be "mixing" black metal with. That's kind of the point of this whole thread! They sound like they're mixing (nowadays) black metal with the idea of folk music, but without going through the tedious process of actually playing folk music? |
| ________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 5:38pm - KEVORD ""] And they're not playing black metal either. He's just trying to lump himself into this “cascadian black metal” bullshit to sell records to dumb hipsters. |
| _________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 5:46pm - Snowden ""] Yeah, fair enough. I think there's a little more of a gray area with black metal though, since it's still kind of a new and evolving genre - at least compared to bluegrass (which was pretty well defined well before anyone in Panopticon/on this board was born). |
| ______________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 6:14pm - goatcatalyst ""] ^ YOU DON'T KNOW ME! |
| ________________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 8:05pm - DestroyYouAlot ""] KEVORD said:And they're not playing black metal either. He's just trying to lump himself into this “cascadian black metal” bullshit to sell records to dumb hipsters. No doubt coming soon to a Berkshires near you! |
| _____________________________________ [Nov 11,2012 8:07pm - Randy_Marsh ""] He might just trying to be chill. Maybe its that simple, maybe people are overanalyzing this shit. Leave britney alone. |
| ______________________________________________ [Nov 12,2012 12:26am - Skwisgaar Skwigelf ""] Randy_Marsh said:He might just trying to be chill. Maybe its that simple, maybe people are overanalyzing this shit. Leave britney alone. see, he wants us to leave faggots alone. so hez can sucks cock in peace |
| __________________________________ [Nov 12,2012 2:11am - chrisREX ""] I was at the Earth show tonight and some dude had this band's back patch on his flannel. |
| ________________________________ [Nov 12,2012 2:15am - Burnsy ""] Pretty disappointed with the couple tracks I've heard so far. I think Patient is that dude's magnum opus. Can't really follow that one up IMO. |
| _____________________________________ [Nov 12,2012 3:14am - Randy_Marsh ""] Skwisgaar%20Skwigelf said: Randy_Marsh said:He might just trying to be chill. Maybe its that simple, maybe people are overanalyzing this shit. Leave britney alone. You got me see, he wants us to leave faggots alone. so hez can sucks cock in peace |
| ______________________________ [Nov 12,2012 7:51am - Yeti ""] this band was in the "suggested viewings" column on Youtube, so i checked it out. too bad i can't check it back in and get those minutes back. |
| ___________________________________ [Nov 12,2012 1:31pm - narkybark ""] bennyhillifier |
| ________________________________ [Apr 12,2013 3:57pm - Burnsy ""] I tried to give this album a shot again today. Couldn't even get past the second song. This is just really bad. It's extremely sloppy, ugly in a bad way and boring as all hell. |
| ______________________________ [Apr 12,2013 4:00pm - Yeti ""] but it's black metal maaaaan, you just don't get it. |