Editor's note: On these pages, we often discuss the power of art to promote peace, love and tolerance. We forget sometimes that art can have every bit as much power to promote divisive themes as it does to bring people together. So what happens when the line blurs between art and politics-especially when those politics are contentious? We've decided to explore this question in a three-part series about controversial musicians emerging on the national scene. This article is the final article in the series.
Three years ago, Raymond Shipley was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Shipley, who is the frontman of a Satanic black metal band called Sol Evil, pleaded guilty to firing seven shots at Teen Challenge, a southern California-based Christian drug rehabilitation center.
No one was injured in the attack, but the crime was labeled a hate crime, resulting in a steep sentence for Shipley.
He has often made public statements decrying Christianity, and many of Sol Evil's songs address the same topic. Typical lyrical topics range from the destruction of Christianity to Satan taking over the world.
"Christianity has endlessly attempted to annihilate the sanctity of individuality," Shipley explained. "I stand against all things not defended by logic and reason. Christianity is based on mindless obedience, blind faith and a myriad of rules calling for humbleness and servitude. I'd rather be the master than the slave."
Sol Evil's website states that Shipley, who goes by Lord Mördor on stage, created the band in order to "promote violence, evil, Satanism and to destroy Christianity and all white light religions."
In spite of his imprisonment, Shipley and Sol Evil are at the forefront of a burgeoning Southern California black metal music scene. Black metal emerged in the 1980s and has continued to expand worldwide since its inception. Originally splitting from regular heavy metal due to its extreme lyrics-focusing on Satan, death and the demise of Christianity-black metal has since formed pockets around the world and is thriving. The most notorious black metal locations are Eastern Europe (mostly in Scandinavia and Germany), Asia (mostly in Pakistan and Malaysia) and the United States (mostly in Southern California).
Taken alone, the music of black metal is grating-it utilizes heavily distorted guitars and basses mixed with driving drums, with the lead singer almost always screaming incomprehensively over the noise. The difference between black metal and other metal sub-genres can be almost impossible to comprehend but mostly come from black metal's extreme focus on Satan or Satanic themes.
Another differentiating factor between black metal and other forms of metal is the extreme actions of the bandmembers themselves. Many bands mutilate themselves on and offstage-doing anything from cutting their chests with large knives to nailing wooden boards to their extremities. Many bands also hold ritualistic animal sacrifices, and a few have been known to sodomize the carcasses. These acts are sometimes videotaped and sold.
Finally, most black metal bands pride themselves on the number of times they have been arrested. These arrests have historically ranged from simple traffic violations to violent actions-from attempted murder with a jigsaw to shooting at a Christian drug rehabilitation center.
Even within black metal, there exists a schism between the Satanists and the non-Satanists: those who focus on music versus those who focus on spreading-and acting on-the philosophy of Satanism.
"I do not consider myself a Satanist by any rule-ridden set of guidelines or philosophy," said Naeth, the lead singer of the Southern California-based black metal band Ashduatas. "However, I do appreciate Satanic influence in black metal for its aesthetic and for what energy is behind it when it is done in a non-childish and intelligent manner."
Shipley said bands like Ashduatas are not staying true to the spirit of black metal. "When the genre first came into existence, black metal was more than just music. This was the only music that reinforced its message with actions. The musicians were soldiers as well as Satanists," he said. "I find it lamentable that black metal has become so watered down throughout the years. All I ever hear is how everyone has 'grown out of that sort of thing.' But to me, these fools who claim to be above action or true meaning are not true black metal anyway."
Edwin Borsheim, the lead singer of the black metal outfit Kettle Cadaver, echoed Shipley's statements about black metal in an interview that he had with Shipley for The Satanic Inquisition, a publication Shipley co-edits. In the interview, Borsheim said black metal isn't even about the music at all.
"I hate musicians," he said. "A bunch of homos sitting around studying notes. That has nothing to do with black metal. Black metal, in its purest form, doesn't even need music. But it's a great tool, just like in the skinhead scene."
Others say that to conflate music and advocacy is dangerous territory. "I look at lyrics and imagery exclusively as entertainment," said Patrick McCahan, CEO of Red Stream records, one of America's leading sub-genre metal record labels. "If I was more serious about themes and images I don't think I would be involved in the music business, but in some kind of activist group."
As for Sol Evil's particular brand of activism, McCahan added, "Satanism is a hypocrisy like any religion."
Sol Evil was founded by Shipley in 1997, when the American black metal scene was just gaining popularity. "The name of the band represents the duality of men," said Shipley. "Men are both good and evil. One can't have light without darkness."
Currently, the band's only remaining original member is Shipley, who has continued to recruit new members and play during his incarceration. However, despite his inability to tour or have access to professional recording equipment, Shipley said his music is not being hindered.
"With my freedoms stripped away and my goals more realized, I can finally begin to articulate, through my music, what it truly means to be what all men endeavor to be-the master of men," Shipley explained. "The philosophy of Sol Evil is to free man from enslavement under all falsehoods. The goal of Sol Evil isn't complete annihilation of the herd, or even the herd mentality, but to win the right to apply our virtues of strength and honor, without the mass hysteria of subservient morality condemning us for our vitality."
Shipley said he became a Satanist while still in high school. "As a person gets older and begins to develop their views about the world, they either embark on a sojourn of true contemplation, or blindly accept the status quo and remain a part of the herd," he said. "I chose to shun the herd. Satanism has allowed me to dominate my own existence and pursue my interests without the crutch of guilt or pity. It is a religion of strength and power in both mind and body. I couldn't possibly see myself as anything else."
Despite his prison sentence, Shipley said that he has no regrets about his actions. In a memoir about his life and the events that took place that was published in The Satanic Inquisition, Shipley wrote that "regardless of how everything turned out, it's a decision I stand by to this day."
Shipley's wife, Cynthia Shipley-who goes by Lady Mördor-said although she misses her husband, she understands what he has done and has accepted it, and she hopes to make the best of the situation until he is released in October of 2010.
"Anger poisons my blood every time I think about how long he's been in prison and how long he has left until his release," she said. "I would be lying if I denied the fact that it truly hurts to acknowledge that he will be imprisoned for almost eight years. Despite his situation, though, I have no doubt that he will go through this period of his life without any difficulties. His imprisonment will only make him stronger, both mentally and physically."
Although Cynthia does not consider herself a Satanist-she said she is still learning and analyzing it before moving forward-she said that she agrees with most of her husband's beliefs. "I dislike organized religions," she said. "I honestly think that the world would be a better place if it would rid itself of Christianity. It has infested many weak-minded individuals with false beliefs of a non-existing, omnipotent God."
It's true that Christianity focuses on weakness, but not in the way Cynthia thinks of it, said Samuel Wells, the Dean of Duke's Chapel.
"We learn in the Christian tradition that God's power is made perfect in weakness," he said. "I personally don't spend a lot of time talking about Satan or evil, because honestly, it ends up sounding a lot more interesting than God. It's up to Christians to make Christianity sound more interesting, but historically, Christianity has prevailed over something like Satanism."
Despite this assurance, Wells said that he understands why some people would turn to Satanism. "For some reason, when people stop believing in God, they still believe in evil," he said. "We live in a culture that advocates the isolation of individuals and that individuals are strong and in control. It's easy to see how the positive claims of Satanism seem attractive."
Although Satanists focus mainly on Christians in their ideologies, Shipley said that he also wants to see the end of all religions, including Islam, Judaism and even Wicca. In a strongly written article called "Satan vs. Wiccan," Lucifer's Child (Shipley's co-editor of the Satanic Inquisition) wrote about his frustration of Satanism being compared often to Wicca. "I find it simply unacceptable that those weak motherf---ers are frequently grouped into the same class as Satanists," he wrote. "Wiccans don't have comrades. They have customers. It's a clever marketing scheme to seduce freaks who want to lead a guilt-free lifestyle while keeping alive their best chances for an afterlife."
Wiccans disregard these accusations. "It's true that New Age flakes flutter around Wicca, and they are sort of foolish, but these guys are probably mistaking the dilettantes for the committed core, rather like some people think that drunken teenage boys who torture cats for the fun of it are authentic Satanists," said Samuel Wagar, the High Priest of the Congregationalist Wiccan Association of British Columbia. "These allegations are so completely far from anything Wiccans are about, not to mention in fundamental contradiction to Satanism."
Catherine Noble Beyer, the author and webmaster of the online Wicca community "Wicca: For the rest of us," said that she thinks of Wicca and Satanism as being similar beliefs. "Both religions are counter-culture, and from what I know of Satanists, most are as moral and law abiding as anyone else."
Beyer said she thinks people like Shipley may be taking over the Satanic community, though. "I realize that there used to be a select few who hated every form of religion, occult or not, but that number has seemed to be growing recently."
Shipley has become more of a leader in the black metal scene recently, especially since his incarceration. "On behalf of the Southern California black metal crew/scene, we salute you, Lord Mördor, for putting your money where your mouth is," Kettle Cadaver singer Borsheim said. "Hails to you! Death to all 'music only' black metal!"
Shipley said that while he waits for his release, he hopes to record an album and plan a tour. Furthermore, he said because his jail time has given him so much publicity, there is a good chance that Sol Evil will get more popular. "If Sol Evil is presented with the opportunity of being part of the mainstream scene, the band would absolutely take advantage of it, so long as the band is able to maintain the same message and ideology," he said.
Until then, Shipley said he hopes to continue to preach his beliefs through music and maybe even begin to move society into a more Satanic-friendly direction. "I would love if every one being could be allowed to do his or her own thing. Not necessarily meaning anarchy, but more to eliminate illogical societal laws. If it ever were necessary, one would be able to take vengeance against those who brought harm upon others. Satanas venire!"
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