There is an issue that I, as the editor of Maelstrom, have felt that has not been properly addressed. In the past, Maelstrom has covered various works whose originators were either overtly or covertly white supremacists. Since Maelstrom's inception, we have strived to make clear that the politics of the musicians whose bands we cover is not necessarily our own. Whether or not we share whatever views that a band - be it Christian, Satanist, Pagan or Nazi - may have, we try to cover it without bias to politics.

I personally feel that although I understand some of the points that those in the NSBM scene are making, I think that hating people is wrong. This sure is a wacky irony considering so much of the music we cover and enjoy is driven by hate. However silly, contradictory, "false," or whatever you may think this irony is, I do not support white supremacy in any way, nor do I condone the outright exultation of Nazism. Despite my personal views, I feel it would be equally intolerant to write off any music solely on the basis of its originators' politics. Not only would this practice be misplaced, but it would be irresponsible journalism.

In terms of the social pressure of having to decry anything whose politics clash with what is deemed acceptable in the mainstream world, I think that is society can condone the works of overtly racist artists who are non-white, then surely it can accept the works of white supremacist bands, at least on an artistic level.

Let it be clear that as a zine, Maelstrom DOES NOT SUPPORT National Socialism, Neo-Fascism, Christianity, Paganism, Flower Power, or any other political or religious stance, but will cover and comment fairly on the works of artists as artists and not as anything else. The individual contributors to Maelstrom are certainly allowed to formulate their own ideas, but those notions will not be held in account when covering artists in the pages of this zine. - Roberto Martinelli

 

I believe that the notion of vast parts of the metal listening public that claim that the musical output of Nazi and Nazi-oriented artists may be appreciated only for its artistic value while disregarding the political, social and racial National Socialistc-derived views of said artists is simplistic and naïve.

In my opinion it is a definite, irrefutable fact that the idea that every significant, expressive musical creation bears, to a certain extent, the values and ideas that its creator believes in and chooses to embody his mental and spiritual world in accordance with. When one listens to Burzum's works, he is definitely exposed a certain aspect of Nazism, (as indirect as it may be); an aspect that exists in the identity of the composers and performers being reflected, in a way, in their work.

Still, my approach, which is derived from Nihilism and Existensialism-influenced views, in regards to the legitimacy of such works is extremely permissive. In my opinion, every ideology must be reviewed and referred to within its own context, and every kind of inspection is axiomatically subjective and finite. I don't believe Nazism is "better" or "worse" than democracy, liberalism, or any other value, nor is it "evil." My claim doesn't stem from any kind of affection to the specific Nazi ideas, but simply from the belief that no such acceptable, general measures exist.

Each of us creates his own singular, personal, subjective judgement of the world. None of the endless, differentiated conclusions may be objectively considered inferior or superior in comparison to the others. Therefore, if one finds the Nazi ideas as, knowingly or not, reflected in pro-Nazi music to be enchanting, appealing, interesting, entertaining, or attractive in any other way that might generate within him a passion to absorb and explore it, it should be legitimate as any other artistic piece whatsoever. Moreover, finding these extents enriching or even fascinating doesn't necessarily render any Graveland fan a Nazi supporter. The latter deserves to be labeled as one who enjoyed peculiar Nazism-influenced musical creations. This label should be tagged to me as well. - Tom Orgad