How Metal Music Rocks the Planet’s Environmental Revolution

Could metal music be a force for saving the planet? This idea is gaining attention, especially in Birmingham, England, where bands like Black Sabbath and Napalm Death have inspired environmental activism through their music. Dr David Gange, an associate professor at the University of Birmingham, believes that Black Sabbath's influence goes beyond their sound. He says their non-conformist attitudes, commitment to veganism, and songs like 'Into the Void' have encouraged generations to care about the environment.

Dr Gange is set to present his research on the 'ecometal' scene at an event in Birmingham. He explains that bands such as Unearthly Rites from Finland use their music to campaign against open-pit mining, which they say is destroying Arctic landscapes. Their songs are fiercely environmentalist and motivate communities to take action against environmental destruction.

There are thousands of metal bands worldwide who use their music to highlight climate issues. Dr Gange discovered many of these musicians while researching his latest book on small boats in the Arctic and North Atlantic. He was surprised to find that metal music was popular among people living in rural coastal areas, who saw metal and environmental activism as naturally connected.

Bands like Wolves in the Throne Room and Gojira have long been known for their environmental messages. Mawiza, a Mapuche band from Chile, sings about protecting rivers and trees. American black metal bands such as Agalloch and Yellow Eyes create albums that explore themes of forests, mountains, and waterways. For example, every track on Yellow Eyes' album 'Sick With Bloom' is about a different polluted waterway.

Unearthly Rites cite Birmingham's Black Sabbath and Napalm Death, as well as Coventry's Bolt Thrower, as their main inspirations. These bands are seen as classics because they paved the way for metal to become a voice for social and ecological awareness. They address not only environmental concerns but also anti-war and systemic critiques.

Dr Gange found that the history of metal is viewed differently by these bands. Instead of pairing Black Sabbath with contemporaries like Judas Priest, they connect Sabbath with Napalm Death, who took environmental and animal rights activism to new levels. The vegetarian and vegan activism of Sabbath members Geezer Butler and Bill Ward is central to how these bands interpret Sabbath's legacy.

The University of Birmingham event will explore the impact Black Sabbath has had on the city and the world. It will feature conversations with Tony Iommi and Carlos Acosta from the city's royal ballet company. Fans and musicians believe that metal music can be a powerful tool for raising awareness and inspiring action to protect the planet.

In summary, metal music has become a platform for environmental activism, with its roots in Birmingham. Bands and fans around the world are using their passion for metal to promote ecological awareness and encourage people to take care of the earth.