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Today is the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. (See this interview with the photographer of the above photo.) Thrash metal, back when it had a conscience, responded to the event. One year later, songs inspired by it appeared on three thrash albums: Anthrax’s Persistence of Time, Slayer’s Seasons in the Abyss, and Testament’s Souls of Black. These songs – “One Man Stands,” “Blood Red,” and “Seven Days of May” – are underrated gems. When the nuclear winter that thrash predicted finally occurs, perhaps these songs will survive to show that metal stood for something.
Anthrax – One Man StandsSlayer – Blood RedTestament – Seven Days of May
This post is one of many observances of the occasion. And to what end? China still suppresses dissent, now through technology. The world looked the other way for the Beijing Olympics. The US wrings its hands, then unclasps them to do business with its “most favored nation” trading partner. Now the US in the thrall of China’s monetary policy. What good are songs against guns and money?
> Nevermore – The Tiananmen Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBMzbWZE77U
On june fifth, in the year of eighty-nine, he was unarmed with focused mind
Deflance glared down the barrel of the gun pointed from a tank in tiananmen square
And he stood there:
To control, to manipulate, the media his power slave
He knew the world was watching, knew he had a plan
To confront the powerful tyranny in the square of tiananmen
Ecstatic youth played with fire, freedom wash over them
Democracy their desire, the tiananmen man had a plan
Manipulate the media
He used blind faith in the face of anarchy, the cybernetic rapture has begun to envelop me
Freedom is the rush, adrenaline high, choice of the oppressed wiling to die
Like a hostage the government holds your drug
To control, to manipulate, the media his power slave
He knew the world was watching, knew he had a plan
To confront the powerful tyranny in the square of tiananmen
Ecstatic youth played with fire, freedom wash over them
Democracy their desire, the tiananmen man had a plan
Manipulate the media
His act was a cybernetic gesture
His act was a cybernetic gesture
He knew the world was watching, knew he had a plan
To confront the powerful tyranny in the square of tiananmen
Ecstatic youth played with fire, freedom wash over them
Democracy their desire, the tiananmen man had a plan
Manipulate the media, manipulate the media
Manipulate to control
I was just going to mention Nevermore's "Tiananmen Man". It's an excellent song.
Excellent post, by the way.
Heh I was also going to mention Nevermore's 'Tiananmen Man' but ????????? and atanamar covered. I'm not sure about mentioning Anthrax, Slayer and conscience in the same statement though.
?What good are songs against guns and money??
What about umbrellas?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49wM4OhYxcA
Not many people know but the tanks don't stop in that photo.
Umbrellas – that is some sheisty business. Thanks for sharing, ex.person.
Somehow, I'm just not impressed by the Western idea that freedom makes us free. We're in the most neurotic society on earth. Clearly the problem isn't lack of freedom.
"Persistence of Time" = great, and often overlooked.
@ Conduit – completely mistaken on that one. "Tankman" lives, and the proof is here: http://in.truveo.com/tank-man-did-not-die-in-tiananmen-square/id/978222690
This isn't any less bold on his part, but he is wrongly martyred.
Well shucks now I look dumb. Glad to learn that though because I couldn't find that fucking video anywhere.
"Tin Omen" by Skinny Puppy, not metal but a pretty heavy & related song.
"Somehow, I'm just not impressed by the Western idea that freedom makes us free. We're in the most neurotic society on earth. Clearly the problem isn't lack of freedom."
Freedom as a pure concept and freedom as a cliche and how a society drunk and diluted in Spectacle discards the one for the other through a never ending series of bought & enjoyed comforts.
Lack of freedom is and will remain the issue, but it's not a freedom to buy this thing or buy that thing next to it, it's a freedom to dream like no-one else, a freedom to lead a singular existence with self-worth and pride in desire. These things are inherently dangerous and rebellious and they are now marginalized and ridiculed in the more comfortable societies.
We are neurotic because we are – as indoctrinated to do – lying to ourselves that we are free. To go back to that good Nevermore album "Freedom's never free". If you find yourself being free for free, you're doing it wrong.