Singapore’s Ministry Backs Off “Sheer Metal”!
When the mighty Minister for Home Affairs, K. Shanmugam, dropped the mic on Saturday (March 9), he gave us the juice that was flowing behind the decision to cancel Swedish black‑metal band Watain’s concert. Spoiler: it’s all about those razor‑sharp anti‑Christian lyrics that hit the cross like a bad case of dandruff.
Why the Cancel‑a‑Concert Call?
- Lyrics that lob out Jesus. “Four‑letter words anointed with fury,” Shanmugam recited, rubbing his lips with discomfort.
- Watain’s whole vibe is a “burn the churches” rave, not something Singapore’s multiracial vibe appreciates.
- The minister pointed out that the band’s anti‑religious swagger fits the “we cannot compromise on Christian safety” checklist.
He delivered this performance at a Dadah Itu Haram bash, where volunteers were chanting for an anti‑drug message in the Malay‑Muslim community, proving that these guys are good at spreading varying values.
Cross‑Community Concerns?
Shanmugam stressed that “this is not speech therapy for a single community,” but open dialogue, like offering a slice of doughnut to everyone at the table.
- He highlighted that Christian pastors have slammed Watain for being a hundred times worse than the more headline‑grabber bans like the Danish cartoon or The Satanic Verses.
- “You treat Islam with rock‑solid strictness,” he said, “why let this Christian‑critizing band in?”
- Shanmugam gave a serious look, admitting “some truth here, but not all that wine, jasmine, or Buddha brewing.”
One‑Finger Sign Battles
Picture this: an Facebook snap from Watain flaunting young Malay men pointing a finger like they’ve just actually spotted the Foxy in-laws. Shanmugam called it “a concert of dissonance.”
- He warned: “A Malay crowd showing the finger in a multi‑racial society? That’s a group war of worship.”
- He said, “When the Christians come, you’d see a greener finger—no kidding.”
- Emphasis on shared respect: “Teach the young ones that the key is treating everyone the way you’d want to be treated.”
It’s Not About Muslims—It’s About Harmony
The minister argued that “if this was an Islamic concert, no one would let it play.” He referenced that it would feel the same if a Chinese group was whistling a different tune, and that the public may misinterpret the fashion of the finger sign as a “Muslim position.”
The Church’s Rally Cry
- National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) sent a heartfelt letter, praising the ban: “We share your concerns on Watain’s destructive vibes.”
- Archbishop William Goh from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese echoed: “No art or religion should turn into a hatchet club for hate.”
- These leaders warned against a culture of death, suicide, and that no okay. They’re especially worried about the young who might get lured by the “zero‑vs‑hero” seduction of black metal.
The Malay Youth’s Insight
Ipang from the Malay Youth Literary Association said: “We’re building harmony, but we’re still a train getting rusty. The small groups can sometimes forget the big picture.”
He emphasized that Islam preaches “respect to all religions,” so that the worship flows both ways maybe—like an excellent symphonic duet.
