Siren Songs of Fascism: The Dangerous Politics of Pagan Music
Publication information:
Abstract
Since the 1960s, different genres of popular music have been adapted to express Pagan spirituality and identity. Beyond general themes of glorifying the past, romanticizing nature and revering ancient gods, this music often contains political messages as well. Persistent allusions to Far Right political ideology and the Nazi-Fascist past deserve critical attention as to whether they serve an open or veiled purpose of Neo-Fascist or Neo-Nazi propaganda and recruitment. In this paper, the Far Right worldview and sensibility interwoven with Pagan religion in such sub-genres as Black Metal and Neo-Folk will be interrogated to raise awareness of the potential danger.
Presenter Biography
Michael Strmiska has a PhD in Comparative Religion from Boston University, has published numerous articles on Pagan movements in Europe and the USA, and taught abroad in Japan, Czechia, Latvia and Lithuania. He is a World History professor at Orange County Community College in New York State.