During a recent interview with Revolver, Obituary singer John Tardy was asked if he thinks today’s cancel culture movement could have stopped the early Flordia death metal scene from ever being a thing.
Obituary was formed in 1984, and along with the likes of Morbid Angel, Death, and other bands, helped to bring about a golden age of death metal.
Tardy is also asked if cancel culture influences any of his writing. In reply to both of these questions, Tardy shares the following:
“I mean, it definitely does not influence me — because I don’t care. [Laughs] When we first came out though … We had bands around here like Deicide [and] the local news coverage immediately went to all the satanic angles.
“It was satanic this and satanic that. Blah, blah, blah. They always just wanted to punch us in there. Obviously, we sound a lot like Deicide, but we don’t sing really about anything like that.
“But back then, I remember getting grouped in with that and people thinking that we’re some type of satanic band just because we’re playing death metal.”
Tardy continues, “But I hate to go out and start talking too much about the cancel culture and things because it’s just not my gig. I’m kind of self-reliant. I just want to do my job and treat other people like I would like to be treated — but nothing more. And just let me go about my business, you know?”
What do you make of Tardy’s points? What are your opinions on the subject?
In other death metal-related news, a couple of months ago, ex-Morbid Angel member David Vincent was asked why he feels Florida became a hot spot for death metal in the ’80s. His answer is actually pretty surprising. You can find out what that answer is for yourself by following the link below.
Ex-Morbid Angel Singer Weighs In On How Florida Became A Hot Spot For Classic Death Metal In The '80s
