Metal Anarchy

During a recent interview with Kerrang!, Lamb Of God frontman defended the rights of artists to speak out about political and societal issues. He says those who have a problem with it can go fuck themselves.

Blythe said the following when asked about fans telling entertainers to stay out of politics:

“To those people, I say ‘Go fuck yourself.’ I’m an American citizen and a world traveler. More than that, I’m a human being. I’m not some dancing monkey put here for your entertainment. If you have any sort of moral compass at all, it’s irresponsible to not exercise your right to speak up. If people are willing to compartmentalize something like a child sex trafficking ring because they think it might better their bank account, they’ve lost a component of their humanity. They’ve lost an integral part of what it is to be a righteous human being. At that point, it’s time to stop and reassess and reevaluate. You’re not going to be able to carry your money into the grave, motherfucker, but you will be able to carry the memories of silently going along with people that enabled child sex predators. How are you going to feel about that on your death bed?”

He also added that he is “hopeful” about the future:

“There is an apocalyptic side to my nature. I will admit that, and plenty of our lyrics reflect it. I have to watch myself with that. I have to acknowledge that that possibility exists. But I don’t need to sink into glorifying it. It’s okay to pay attention to what’s going on and be worried, but you need to do your best to change it. Everyday citizens in a functional democracy have a right to vote and they need to not become apathetic. I have a lot of problems with our American system. There are things that are archaic such as the electoral college, which should be abolished. But that is the only system we have right now. And if I do not engage in it and do my best to be a force for positive change, then I am abdicating responsibility and handing what little bit of control I have — my agency — over to someone else.

In general, I see that fatalist, defeatist attitude in people and it bums me out. Like, ‘Oh, it doesn’t make a difference…’ Well, you’re right, because if you don’t do anything, then that won’t make any difference at all. So please carry yourself to the voting booth and do what you can. I don’t understand politics in the U.K., but I do know that you need to vote. Don’t just be an apathetic slug and complain when everything turns to shit.”