All the Young Fascists
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"All the Young Fascists" is a song by New Zealand metal band Shihad. It was released as a single from their sixth album Love is the New Hate on the 2nd May 2005, as part of NZ Music Month and following their free Aotea Square show.
The lyrics to the song relate to a show performed by the band whilst on tour in the U.S., where during the set vocalist John Toogood told the crowd he was against U.S. invasion of Iraq, and he was roundly jeered by members of the crowd for his views.
[edit] The song
The song opens with a fierce, angry, high chord-bend. This continues through the verses as frontman John Toogood half-sings, half-yells. The chorus turns, as is the Shihad style, into a smoother, softer sound, where Toogood is no longer yelling but singing. This also occurs in the middle section, where a heavy, shouting part turns into a smooth, soft part, with the bass imitating a slow pulse. The ending is a repeat of the first verse, with a sudden ending.
[edit] Meaning
In an interview[1], Jon Toogood spoke about an event that contributed to the song:
We were in America while it invaded Iraq and had to play at festivals that were supposedly 'support the troops' festivals'when we didn't believe in the war at all. That's what the song All the Young Fascists is about...
The song's political meaning is not hidden, with the song detailing fascism and various dictatorial ideas. The lyrics talk about the lack of resistance to authority, even though opposition is felt, in relation to the Nazi rule of Germany 1932-1945. The chorus line "And they're taking all the colours away..." talks about the stripping of society that occurred by this power; the line "and we will never forgive" a direct response of non-support for such powers.
[edit] Video
When the video is viewed in context with the meaning, it becomes all the more controversial. The video directly connects the Nazi ideals and ruling with the United States. The beginning shots zoom in on what looks to be a red landscape, which then turns out to be an "L". This "L" forms part of the word "Liberty", on an American coin. Toogood then flicks this away, as the opening notes begin. The video also features the praying mantis, seen on the cover of Love is the New Hate. Through the middle section, parts of this are zoomed in on, and revealed to be weapons; the mantis itself is branded "US Army", and proceeds to eat various insects (including another praying mantis) throughout the video.
