The excellent Seattle-based black metal band Inquisition was scheduled to perform in Singapore for the first time on November 29 at the True Metal Invasion festival, along with Onslaught, Desecration, Deathhammer, and local bands Skullmania, Lavatory (featured at NCS here), and Balberith.
Unfortunately, it appears that Singapore’s government was not as thrilled about this idea as Singaporean metal fans. Not long ago, the following statement appeared on the Facebook page of Inquisition:
“Attention: Government Media Authorities of Singapore have banned Inquisition from their public appearance at True Metal Invasion Festival that was due on November 29 2012. Essentially Inquisition is banned from Singapore and according to the government, it is due to the band’s themes. We apologize to fans in Asia, this is beyond our control. Inquisition performs classic unholy Black Metal of its truest form and will continue as such.”
I admire Inquisition’s outward stoicism in the face of this terribly disappointing and hurtful news. I worry, however, that they may be weeping inside. So I would just like to tell the band that they can hold their heads high, because they are in good company.
In 1963, Singapore banned the hit Peter, Paul and Mary song Puff, the Magic Dragon, fearing that it referenced marijuana. I suspect that Inquisition never dreamed they would be mentioned in the same sentence as Peter, Paul and Mary. Congratulations dudes!
But that’s not all! In 2001 Singaporean authorities also banned Janet Jackson’s album, All For You, because they found the lyrics of the album, especially those in the song “Would You Mind”, “not acceptable to our society”. The lyrics included these immortal lines:
I just wanna
Touch you, tease you, lick you, please you
Love you, hold you, make love to you
And I’m gonna
Kiss you, suck you, taste you, ride you
Feel you deep inside me ohh
Not that Inquisition need any enhancement of their metal cred, but come on! Being included in the company of Janet Jackson pretty much cinches their kvlt status, and they didn’t even need to sing about sucking and fucking to get there! Cool.
Singapore is home to a number of savage metal bands we’ve written about at NCS, including Impiety, Wormrot, Rudra, and Analdicktion. I’m unsure the basis on which the government drew the line between bands such as those and Inquisition. If I find out, I’ll let you know.
Additional sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_in_Singapore#Music
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1370650.stm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4pob3nlYP4
14 Responses to “BANNED IN SINGAPORE: INQUISITION JOINS “PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON” AND JANET JACKSON”
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Crazy shit! Just saw Inquisition on the Conquerors of the World tour at Studio Seven. They were fucking amazing! Coincidentally, I’m wearing the Inquisition shirt I bought at that show as I type this.
Those poor bastards in Singapore are gonna miss out on a hell of a live performance…
Also, I feel like Dave Mustaine had something to do with this. I smell conspiracy!
Finally, a sentence with “Dave Mustaine” and “conspiracy” that actually makes sense.
“I suspect that Inquisition never dreamed they would be mentioned in the same sentence as Peter, Paul and Mary. Congratulations dudes!” – One was thinking the same thing. 😀
…but now theyre all like “one more thing we can check off the bucket list”
Oh shit! Five internets for that one!
It’s right above getting doubly featured on NCS. Which is all that’s on my bucket list.
I’m pretty sure your phone made a typo. You meant “doubly fisted”, didn’t you?
I checked with my friend who works with MDA, and she has heard NOTHING about this at all from her colleagues from regulatory wing. I think something is fishy with this Promoter. His facebook event page is not there too.
My MDA friend also claims that MDA is so used to getting “flammed” they won’t bother about a band like this scolding them. There is a high chance that the promoter does not even have a valid liscence or applied properly in advance for this show.
If you guys personally know the organiser. Please ask him for justification. Documents, email etc. of this whole incident. In my knowledge Black Metal gigs are a go, just that it has to be 18+ show. Same as other countries such as Australia.
Also there is not mention about any refunds or anything for Inquistion fans or everyone? or anything to sweeten the deal? I really just wanted to watch them just like many other fans do.
Thanks for your comments Randy. We have no connections to the promoter, but I did find their Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/Burstinout
And it appears that tickets are still being sold here:
http://www.apesnap.com/events/138
There are also posts on Onslaught’s FB page which indicate that the show is going on.
thank you! Actually the problem is that the FB page is not accessible anymore. And there is no more communication about the event itself from the promoter.
Try it: http://www.facebook.com/Burstinout
I still believe as a responsible promoter you should at least offer a refund or partial refund to Inquisition fans. (re posted to “reply”)
just saw this thru a friend and agree that this promoter is sucks. I couldnt find him at all and when I finally did thanx to help Singaporean friends, he did not want to give a refund despite my protest that I bought the tickets just for Inquisition. I think I deserve it and it should be a valid refund. Also heard all he sells are bootleg shirt that did not go approval from bands. I am very angry if Inquisition did not play only because he just did not want to have the costs anymore or no profit. This behavior is worase than many bad thai promoter at home.
thank you! Actually the problem is that the FB page is not accessible anymore. And there is no more communication about the event itself from the promoter.
Try it: http://www.facebook.com/Burstinout