One man stands
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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?
