I'm an independent journalist, and I'm currently writing a thinkpiece for a popular website outlining the problematic aspects of the band, and flirting with the idea having social media amass a solidarity-army to have media chanels deplatform Metallica. I've basically been working on it ever since I saw that guy in the Metallica shirt knock out that anti-racist protester a while ago.
The gist of my article so far is that Metallica is implicitly racist, which is actually more pernicious than "blatant" racism because dudebro allies give the band a pass under the guise of them "technically not being racist."
But when you really look at what the band is about, they don't look so apolitical afterall.
There's James Hetfield's Howard Stern rant about "elitist California liberals." (A popular dogwhistle among fascists.)
There's the libertarian imagery and blatantly nationalist lyrics on the black album (and nationalism is literally the father of fascism). "love it or leave it"?? Combined with the racist-sounding riffs in songs like "Enter The Sandman," it's no real mystery why so many Metallica dudebros are secretly or openly into white supremacy.
There's also the fact Metallica's music has been used to torture Iraqi civilians at Guantanamo bay, which converges in a disturbing way with the pro-war lyrics in songs like "Disposable Heroes."
Finally, I've uncovered some actual racist, socially darwinistic lyrics in their early albums.
From "No Remorse":
"No will to save the weaker race / We're ready to kill all comers / Like a loaded gun right at your face"
"Weaker race"? Seriously?
Basically, it's time to realize metal has a bigger nazi problem than a handful of obscure NSBM bands. Sometimes the popular blonde jock guy has views that are just as shitty as the views of incels, and Metallica is proof of that. And I'm tired of them going unchecked.
If anyone has anymore evidence I can use for my article, let me know.
