The Finnish metal band that supported the anti-Semites will perform in Tel Aviv

The Finnish metal band Horna will perform in the country, although its members have worked with people and bands that spread and supported Nazi and anti-Semitic messages.

The founder and guitarist played in another band that sang in singing for the rise of the Reich, and released albums for neo-Nazi metal bands.

Production: "Horn is not connected to any neo-Nazi activity"

Sagi Ben Nun

16/05/2022

Monday, 16 May 2022, 20:08 Updated: 20:11

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Friends with a dubious past.

Horn Band (Photo: Creative Commons)

Controversially, the Finnish metal band Horna is scheduled to perform on September 17 at the Gagarin complex in Tel Aviv - even though the band members supported and worked in bands that spread Nazi, anti-Semitic and racist messages.

The one who brings the band to Israel is the production company "Dibuk", which is backed by Yaniv Elender.

The leading character in the band Horna is the Finnish musician Villa Pistinen, who works under the nickname Shatraug.

He founded the band, writes most of the lyrics, its guitarist, was previously the lead singer and now also sings voices.

Pistinen was previously a member of the metal band Blutschrei, and served as guitarist on the album "The Voice of Forbidden Pride".

On the album he performed with the band, among others, the song "Battle for Survival", which includes the words "We will turn our heads towards the rise of Reich better", and the song "Fight to Win" which includes the line "Mother Europe, I stand here, Ben is proud today And a white father tomorrow. "

Fistinen was also the owner of the Grievantee label, which released albums to bands from the controversial NaziM (National Socialist Black Metal) movement affiliated with Nazism, and some used the swastika in their publications.

In addition, Fistinen expressed support for National Socialism, the political movement led by Hitler.

In a 2003 interview he said "in my opinion, National Socialism means being proud of heritage and the state, believing in brothers in arms and values ​​that prevent any foreign influence or religion."

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Solidarity with advocates of white supremacy.

Horn Band (Photo: Creative Commons)

In addition, the lead singer of the Horn band, Thomas Ritkonen, who works under the name Spellgoth, has been associated with NSBM bands affiliated with Nazism.

He served as keyboardist for the French right-wing band Peste Noire, and their logo is a variation on the logo of the neo-Nazi organization WAR, which advocates white supremacy.

The leader of the band Peste Noire made antisemitic remarks in interviews.

Peste Noire's performances are signed by the production company "Hate War" which in "About" on its Facebook page was previously written "there is a need for a massive dilution of the population."

After Peste Noire's performance at a Norwegian festival was canceled due to pressure from organizations fighting racism and fascism, the Horna band (whose lead singer was also a member of this band) canceled its participation in the festival on its own initiative to "express solidarity" with their members.

If all that wasn’t enough, in 2017 the Horn band performed alongside two neo-Nazi bands in what was defined as a “private event” in Helsinki, and the event invitation flyer included a swastika, the Austrian newspaper Wiener Zeitung reported.

Although the Horna band has previously claimed that it does not judge people by race, in a number of cases it has supported and worked with bands, people and events accused of Nazism, anti-Semitism and blatant racism.

This is not the first time that the production company "Dibuk", founded by Yaniv Elander, brings metal bands whose members have been associated with Nazism - preceded by the Polish bands Mgla and Daos Mortem, who performed at the end of 2019 in the Gagarin complex.

In response to bringing the band, tweeted Alex Nimmelman, editor of Globes: "Once again the Israeli metal scene gives a pleasant hug to a band that caresses with neo-Nazis."

Another tweet, operating under the nickname Bunker Punx, wrote: "Band: Oops, we want to make a lot of money! But we are being boycotted all over Europe because we are full of connections to neo-Nazis. "I only care about the music lol. Band: lol What idiots. Come on, let's go to Israel, and then we'll see someone in Europe say something about us."

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Yaniv Elander, the owner of the production company Dibuk, responded: "Dibuk brings bands from the metal and heavy rock genre. If there was even the slightest suspicion of taking part in one or another neo-Nazi activity, as a grandson of a Holocaust survivor, I would not consider contacting them. For more than a decade, many Israeli members, whom I know personally, have testified that none of the members of the Horn are involved in any neo-Nazi activity or in all the allegations presented here. The band has been asked numerous times in the past Do a Google search or contact the band itself. "

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