Alex Gendler - "Aryan Aztlán: The Bizarre World of Aztec Nazi Black Metal"

Heavy Metal & Global Premodernity online conference, hosted by Brandeis University, 24-26 February 2022

Full conference program:
https://www.brandeis.edu/classics/hea...

"Aryan Aztlán: The Bizarre World of Aztec Nazi Black Metal"

-Alex Gendler

Abstract:
While the pervasiveness of Nazism in European black metal is well-known, a more surprising phenomenon can be found among Latin American bands that combine overt Nazi slogans with themes and imagery of their Pre-Colombian heritage. Despite the apparent incongruity, ‘Aztec NSBM’ reflects surprisingly deep historical roots as well as contradictions in modern political discourse. Many of the bands discussed, such as Tlateotocani, Maquahuitl, and Eztlacuani are associated with Organización Nacional Socialista Pagana (ONSP), a Mexican label founded in 1999. The sound is rooted in second wave black metal, with raw production, buzzsaw guitars, and blast beats, as well as pan flutes and occasional
clean vocals. Some of the bands use indigenous languages and perform in traditional dress. However, this folk symbolism is combined with overt Nazi imagery as well as lyrical themes, with songs such as “H.H. (Hail Huitzilopochtli)” and “Erradicación Judaica (Raza Innecesaria)”. Rather than a mere aesthetic mashup, the combination reflects a deeper affinity to European NSBM in valorizing indigenous paganism and a return to blood-and-soil tradition against the “degenerate” modern world and the ‘globalist’ force of Christianity. This kind of syncretism goes back to the very birth of far right ideology amidst 19th century romantic nationalism and mysticism as European nationalists sought to establish kinship with the world’s ancient cultures, as well as persistent admiration for Hitler in the developing world as an underdog who stood up to established colonial empires. Ironically, it is metal’s appeal as an international language of alienation that has helped spread NSBM everywhere from Latin America to Malaysia. Yet amidst the pushback against Nazism within the metal community, bands like the ONSP roster pose a unique challenge, as the non-white artists wrap their far-right ideology in the same sort of decolonization and anti-globalization rhetoric found on the left.


Biography:
Alex Gendler is a Soviet Ukrainian-born, Brooklyn-based freelance writer, editor, and translator, whose output has spanned multiple fields and formats. While perhaps best known for authoring wholesome educational content for TED-Ed's animated video lessons such as The Wars that Inspired Game of Thrones, How to Recognize Dystopia, and History versus Genghis Khan, his true interests lie in the fringes of history, philosophy, and internet culture. His independent work includes a historical analysis of the incel phenomenon published in American Affairs and an exploration of Mexico's 'Aztec NSBM' scene in the now-defunct NO Recess! magazine, as well as appearances on podcasts such as Parallax Views, Zero Squared, and The Antifada. His other hobbies include skiing, retro beat-em-up video games, and being extremely out of practice at playing guitar. He claims no kvlt credibility, and remains a proud partisan of the cheesiest 90s melodic death metal.