Talk:Blood Axis
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[edit] NPOV Issues
Firstly, the article currently states that:
Blood Axis is a controversial music group founded by Michael Moynihan in 1989. Blood Axis have been depicted as fascists, and although their music is certainly a great deal more accomplished than than the usual heavy-metal/oi music popular in far-right circles, the iconography of his lyrics is influenced by north European mythology and many proto-Nazi philosophers.
Moynihan has on several occasions flatly denied being a fascist and white supremicist.
Musically, Blood Axis's amalgamation of classical music, folk and industrial owes a debt to Boyd Rice, Wagner and Prokiev.
To whom are they "controversial" and who has depicted them as Fascists? These speculations are not valid for an encyclopedic article. There is no authority cited and the result is mere hearsay which is easily rendered insignificant.
The statement "more accomplished" in this case is not NPOV. The use of "although" in the first paragraph is problematic. The article currently states that the music is "more accomplished" than most music favoured, or enjoyed in "far right circles". This implies that Blood Axis is merely a more sophisticated form of the same type of music popular in far-right circles. The connection between "Fascist" and "far right" is quite clearly intended. Then, the article uses "although" in a way that is nonsensical. As it stands currently, the although states that even though the music is accomplished, the lyrics of M. Moynihan are influenced by "north European mythology and many proto-Nazi philosophers. This suggests that the music is accomplished but the true message (lyrics) are possibly influenced by Nazi-like thinking. Belief systems associated with such thinking include White Supremacy, Racism, and other stigmatising personal philosophies. Because there is no factual evidence to link Blood Axis to white supremacist or racist ideologies, it is superfluous to cite that Mr. Moynihan has denied allegations that he is a Fascist and a White Supremacist. The implication is that, despite his claim to the contrary, Mr.Moynihan is in fact associated with racist, Fascist groups. Linking Mr. Moynihan in any way, however subtle, to a specific ideology for which there exists no factual proof, is not correct procedure for an objective and NPOV encyclopedic article.
The link between "accomplished music" and lyrics not influenced by north European mythology and many proto-Nazi philosphers is dubious at best. Also, without either first speaking with Moynihan or being able to demonstrated a clear understanding of the basic nuances of European philosophy for the last 200 years, it is quite difficult to determine the sources he drew upon for his lyrics. Considering also that some of the lyrics are not even his, makes it absurd to suggest who influenced his choices for particular texts as well as the methodology he employed to convey them.
Finally, the generic wording of "owes a debt to" with no substantial evidence of this alledged debt must be revised, if not eliminated. How does Mr. Moynihan owe any more of a debt to Richard Wagner than Ezra Pound, Friedrich Nietzsche, or Henry Wadsworth Longfellow? Such a claim is not encyclopedic as it cannot be proven. It is merely an opinion.
[edit] Watchdog allegations
I plan on totally revising this article so that it retains those aspects of Blood Axis that have raised the ire of specific organizations over the years. It has to convey that this band does have a reputation among specific anti-Fascist watchdog groups like the ADL for being Fascist. I also want to convey that these allegations have been proven to be groundless and have never been proven to anyone's satisfaction. This is not an article about this particular controversy. It is merely an overview of Blood Axis and their significance to the traditional folk music scene.
Curtsurly 06:43, 21 Sep 2004 (UTC)Curtsurly
