SATANISM AND ANTI-CHRISTIANITY IN BLACK METAL Satanism And Anti-Christianity In Black Metal (Semiotics On A Live Concert Video Of Black Metal Band Gorgoroth, In Black Mass Event At Krakow, Poland 2004).

SATANISM AND ANTI-CHRISTIANITY IN BLACK METAL
(SEMIOTICS ON A LIVE CONCERT VIDEO OF BLACK METAL
BAND GORGOROTH , IN BLACK MASS EVENT
AT KRAKOW, POLAND 2004)
PUBLICATION PAPER

Submitted as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for Getting Bachelor Degree of Education
in Communication Science Department

Proposed by:
MUHAMMAD FERRI SETIAWAN
L100102010

COMMUNICATION SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATICS SCIENCE FACULTY
MUHAMMADIYAH UNIVERSITY OF SURAKARTA
2014

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SATANISM AND ANTI-CHRISTIANITY IN BLACK
METAL (SEMIOTICS ON A LIVE CONCERT VIDEO
OF BLACK METAL BAND GORGOROTH , IN BLACK
MASS EVENT AT KRAKOW, POLAND 2004)
Muhammad Ferri Setiawan
Communication Science Department, University of Muhammadiyah Surakarta
muhammadferrisetiawan@gmail.com

Abstract
Black Metal is a quite popular music genre among teenagers. They like the music
as well as the style that the band brings. However, most of them do not aware
what the attributes that the band wears convey. Based on that phenomenon, this
study focuses on the semantic meaning that is contented in the Black Metal
attributes. Specifically, this study analyzes the Satanism and Anti-Christianity
symbols in a Black Metal video that is performed by Gorgogoth. Applying a
qualitative descriptive method, the symbols found in the video are then analyzed

using semiotic theories. The results show that there are 5 symbols belong to
Satanism and 3 symbols are identical to Anti-Christianity. Based on the findings,
symbols are created intentionally to deliver certain messages and they are used to
declare war against Christianity by the Scandinavian Black metal musicians.
Keywords: Satanism, Anti-Christianity, Semiotic

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INTRODUCTION
Satanism and Anti-Christianity is a

identified

as

a

hard

music

by

its

topic that often avoided to be discussed,

characteristics that are terrific appearance,

although, in fact, it has become a lifestyle,

related to violence, drug abuse, sex,

philosophy, even religion. Anton Szandor

insulting

LaVey was very popular in 1960 because of

Christians) and other Satanic elements.

his Satanic Church which was full of

Gorgoroth is a Black Metal band from

darkness/ obscurity and his Satanic Bible

Norway. They have a quite controversial

which shocked many people. Some people

stage act when they performed in an even

welcomed LaVey and even made him their

called Black Mass, located in Krakow,

mentor (Howe, 2005: 1).

Poland, in 2004. Gorgoroth displayed tens

certain

religion

(usually

Music is used as universal and

goat’s heads which were attached to poles,

effective media which can tell ideas,

crossed men and women’s bodies with their

messages, and expressions of the creator to

heads covered by cloth and their bodies

the listeners through its lyric, composition,

were covered by blood. The result of their

choice of instrument, and manner of

concert made local government of Krakow,

performance. Music is in the level of mass

Poland, sued Gorgoroth’s wicked acts

communication. This is due to the number

toward animal and their insulting acts

of music listeners which is not a little, but a

toward certain religion sect. The goat’s

lot and they are in everywhere, anonymous,

heads displayed were used to symbolize

and heterogeneous. We might ever hear an

Satan

extreme music genre, called Black Metal.

Baphomet, a Satan having head of a goat

That genre is quite popular among some

and body of a woman.

people,

almost

in

every

that

they

worship,

which

is

continent,

This study focuses on the costumes

especially teenagers. Black Metal can be

and stage properties attributed in the live

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concert video Gorgoroth the Black Metal

interpreted. Therefore, this study applies

Band, in Black Mass event, Krakow,

semiotic theories as the basis. Semiotics is a

Poland in 2004 which is assumed to be fully

knowledge of or method for analyzing

contented

Anti-

symbols. Symbols are set of way in order to

Christianity symbols. This is a prior study

find better path in between and together

since there was no study that discuss about

with human. Semiotics—Barthes’ term

Gorgoroth or even the Satanic and Anti-

refers to Semiology—basically studies how

Christianity symbols attached to them.

humanity signifies things. ‘To signify’ in

However, there are some other studies

this

discussing about other metal genres. This

communicate’. ‘To signify’ refers to the

study will also discuss about how the

fact that objects do not only provide

Satanic

symbols

information, but also other structural system

contented in the video of Gorgoroth the

of signs. The other purpose it to show

Black Metal Band in Black Mass event, in

illogical acts, interesting riddles, and the

Krakow, Poland 2004 are able to be

most trusted details (Sobur, 2004: 66).

with

and

Satanic

and

Anti-Christianity

term

is

different

from

‘to

LITERATURE REVIEW
Semiotic Approach in Communication Studies
Semiology explains how symbols
are formulated and the rules that govern the

that enables human to build relationship
with the environment (Sobur, 2004: 12)

symbols. Pierce argues that the basic of

However, this study will focus on

semiotics is symbols. Besides language and

the semiology as proposed by Roland

communication systems, the symbols also

Barthes. Bartes was a French structuralist

include the things in human environment

who practiced Saussure's linguistics model
and

semiology.

Barthes

argued

that

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semiology

studies

meanings

on

how

things.

humans

put

only convey information, but also the

However,

the

symbol system (Kurniawan, 2001 in Sobur,

meanings here imply that the objects not

2004).

Music in Cultural Studies
Aiming

to

seek

profits,

the

Cultural industry, mass culture, and

industries produce a various products, either

mass media are able to influence society's

material or non material, to distribute to the

opinion, view, lifestyle, even individual

society. Music is a universal and effective

beliefs.

medium used to convey the arrangers' ideas,

technology enables music to spread massive

messages, and expressions to the listeners.

influence to the listeners. However, the case

For its universality, music is a perfect

is different with indie music as they are the

medium for mass communication. Among

reflection of heart feelings. Early 1990s,

the tremendous kinds of music, indie music

some teenagers in Bandung who played

emerged as a revolt against mainstream

grind core music created some songs that

music, a term that describes popular music

contained rude words. They distributed

produced by major musical labels.

their

The

music

rapid

within

development

their

own

of

circle

(Theodore KS, 2013: 292).

Satanism
Peter H. Gilmore High Priest in the

it contains an art, which is a reflection of

Church of Satan (Church of Satan) wrote in

the creative efforts of individuals who

his book "The Satanic Scriptures", Satanism

making, as well as the cultural environment

is a philosophy of religion which includes

in which it was created. However, it is

the concept that animals and humans should

selective in nature, only the aesthetics of art

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that depicted a human experience, including

followers of satanic teachings. A Satanist is

actual experiences directly as well as

like a wolf howling at night. But sometimes

indirectly achieved through imagination or

they can get together and form a group of

through

fellow

the

media

for

transmitting

information (Gilmore, 2007: 68).

Satanists

too.

They

look

to

themselves that they are different from

A truly Satanist usually choose to be

those around them. Satanists also consider

someone who is individualistic, and racism,

themselves one with the animals that are

especially toward religion. Satanists not

considered clean for them, but not for

only tolerate weirdness for granted but also

people in general (Gilmore, 2007: 26).

try to find the same relationship with fellow

Anti-Christianity
Vikernes (2012) believes that if

Vikernes

considers

when

LaVey

has

Christianity has destroyed their ancestral

successfully

culture. 'Pagan' is derived from the word

Christianity that has long been underway.

'Paganus', which means 'Villagers' when

Anti-Christianity is a generation element of

translated in English, which means that

Paganism, in an attempt to the rejection of

people living or occupying a particular

the values of devotion to Jesus, as 'Object

region or country. People believe that the

of Chosen People' by the Jews. Because

word

first

Varg, Christians believe comes from the

Christians came to urban, which means the

land of Jerusalem, where the Jewish and

people in remote areas still practice ancient

Zionist organizations thrive. The goal is to

rituals handed down his ancestors, before

purify the ancient beliefs of European

their eventual conversion to Christianity.

society, to uphold the values of Paganism.

Pagan

is

used,

because,

Given LaVey's Church of Satan belongs;

dropped

the

morals

of

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RESEARCH METHOD
Type of the Research
This
qualitative

research
research

is

a

descriptive

that

the

relations

among

the

variables.

applies

Descriptive research refers to research

communicative semiotic methodology. A

procedures that result in descriptive data.

descriptive research aims to describe the

This

phenomenon systematically, factual, and

quantification and is supposed to explain a

accurate. This research aims at describing

phenomenon in detail. (Kriyantono, 2010:

the happening realties without explaining

56).

research

does

not

apply

any

Object of the Study
The Object of this research is a text

Mass event in Krakow, Poland, in 2004

in the form of live concert video of

with 00:55:03 (fifty five minutes and three

Gorgoroth Black Metal band, at Black

seconds) video length.

Technique of Analyzing the Data
The technique will be applied to the
signs identified on the video. Then, they

and then they will be analyzed by Roland
Barthes’ semiololgy.

will be analyzed by using semiology theory

In the first stage of signifying the

proposed by Roland Barthes that focuses on

data (denotation), both verbal and non-

two levels of significance (denotation and

verbal data are presented separately. After

connotation). In this research, the data are

that, at the second stage (connotation), the

about Satanism represented by Gorgoroth,

significations is carried out thoroughly to
reveal an in depth understanding on the

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themes and meanings which relates to

second stage is then referred to several

visual aspects such as

aspects: cultural, social, and value system in

lightning, shot,

angle, setting, fashion, and make-up. This

society

(mythology).

FINDINGS
The symbol of Satanism and Anti-

The symbols of Satanism and Anti-

Christianity that are represented in the live

Christianity that are represented in the

concert

band

video includes: Naked-Crucified Human

Gorgoroth at the Black Mass event in

(category symbol of Anti-Christianity),

Krakow, Poland, in 2004, is quite diverse

Goat's Head (category symbol of Satanism),

and

stage.

Pentagram (category symbol of Satanism),

Gorgoroth wasn’t disguised any kind of

Inverted Cross (category symbol of Anti-

element that contains both of symbol of

Christianity), Corna (category symbol of

Satanism and Anti-Christianity in the show.

Satanism), Red Lights (category symbol of

Through the stage design, lighting, and the

Satanism), Spikes (symbol category Anti-

personel’s gestures, it can be clearly

Christianity), and Corpse-Paint (category

observed in the live concert video.

symbol of Satanism).

video

clearly

of

Black

presented

Metal

on

the

ANALYSIS
Satanism

in the Satanic rituals, and the blood is also

symbols that represented in the live concert

taken for the ceremony. (2) The Pentagram

video of Black Metal Band Gorgoroth, in

symbol (five-pointed star) used by the

Black Mass event at Krakow, Poland 2004,

adherents of Satanism. Each corner on the

there are: (1) Goat’s head, is an offering for

pentagram symbol represents the elements

Lucifer (an angel who was cursed by God)

of a Soul or a Spirit, Water, Fire, Wind, and

The meaning

of the

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Land. Then, (3) Corna , when the word

live concert video of Black Metal Band

translated from Italian, it means 'Horn' or

Gorgoroth, in Black Mass event at Krakow,

'horn'. Corna is a fingers greeting cultures

Poland 2004, there are: (1) The use of

derived from their Italian grandmother

human models to be naked on the cross as

called ‘Malochio’. This greeting has a curse

referring to the Jesus on a cross with a half

as well as a sense of when someone gives

naked, already illustrates, the form of

and directs it towards our symbol, therefore,

'embarrass' himself. With these measures,

we can reciprocate by using the same

already indicated that the followers of the

greeting as well as the counter form of the

teachings of satanic conduct harassment

curse. (4) Red Lights are associated with the

against Christianity. (2) Some of Satanic

arrival of the Red Lunar Eclipse (Blood

groups in the West are using Inverted Cross

Moon). Moon has always been an object of

symbol that has been broken, as the attitude

fear and the human imagination since the

that they are Anti-Christianity. For the

first. The moonlight, which is actually just

adherents of Satanist, inverted cross is not

sunlight, that reflected by the moon to the

only used as a symbol of opposition to God,

earth, for the Satanist was contained a

but also as a statement of loyalty and

mystical powers. (5) Corpse-paint, the

obedience to the devil. (3) Spikes, that we

musicians’

is,

can see on the surface of the jacket,

interpreted as a creature. Scandinavian

bracelets and belts of the Black Metal

Black Metal musicians regard corpse-paint

musicians,

as Wraiths which means the Spirit / Ghost.

accessories, but also as the symbol of the

So they feel closeness with Satan.

opposition to the

Black

Metal

The

meaning

of

makeup

the

Anti-

Christianity symbols that represented in the

not

only

used

it

as

an

dominance powers.

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CONCLUSION
Symbol is a complex element to be

The Black Metal musicians in

interpreted. However, with the earlier

Scandinavia absorb most of the symbols of

myths, it becomes easier to be understood.

Satanism

The meaning that is contained within the

interpreted as a counter to the ‘teachings of

symbol sometimes can be forgotten, even

Christ’ that has long mastered the religion

though, the person who presents a definite

of the region. The choosing of symbol of

symbol must have a specific purpose.

Satanism and Anti-Christianity symbol that

Symbols of Satanism and Anti-Christianity

is used in the Scandinavian Black Metal

that was once used as an intermediary

musicians aims at creating a ‘new war’

ritual, now represented with a different

through the music. The symbols that proud

packaging forms and media such as music,

to be wearing according to the religious

so it can be assimilated easily to produce a

dogma on the basis of ideology that they

new product.

builds,

and

have

Anti-Christianity to

an

aim

of

be

cleaning

Scandinavian region from the Christianity.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like acknowledge my best gratitude to my supervisors, Rinasari Kusuma (University
of Muhammadiyah Surakarta, rinasarikusuma@gmail.com) and Fajar Junaedi (University of
Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, fajarjun@gmail.com). Thank you for the very inspiring
moments during the writings and keep rock!

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gilmore, Peter H. 2007. The Satanic Scriptures. Baltimore, MD: ScapegoatPublishing.com
Howe, Richard G. 2005. Satanism: A Taste for the Dark Side . Christian Research Journal,
volume 28, number 5. (http://www.equip.org).
Kriyantono, Rachmat. 2010. Teknik Praktis Riset Komunikasi: Disertai Contoh Praktis
Riset Media, Public Relations, Advertising, Komunikasi Organisasi, Komunikasi
Pemasaran . Jakarta: Kencana.

KS, Theodore. 2013. Rock ‘n Roll Industri Musik Indonesia; Dari Analog ke Digital.
Jakarta: PT. Kompas Media Nusantara.
Sobur, Alex. 2004. Semiotika Komunikasi. Bandung: PT. Remaja Rosdakarya.
Vikernes,

Varg.

2012.

Paganism:

Part

XX

–

Pagan

Honour

[Online].

http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/paganism20.shtml. Accessed on Sunday, June 15,
2014, at 11:40 WIB).