Alissa White-Gluz has spoken about the challenges of expressing personal opinions publicly, particularly as an outspoken woman in the metal community and a prominent vegan and animal-rights advocate.
Former Arch Enemy frontwoman addressed the subject during a new interview with Viva!, the U.K.’s leading vegan campaigning charity. Her comments touched on political polarization, social labels and the growing fear of being judged or rejected because of one’s views.
White-Gluz pointed out that she already faces a certain level of scrutiny simply because she is a woman working in heavy metal. Her veganism and political outlook, she added, can create another layer of criticism.
“Even just being a woman in metal is something that already puts a target on my head. And, of course, being vegan and being — whatever you wanna call political views,” Alissa said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “I mean, I’m not American — I can’t vote either way when it comes to those politics — but I obviously agree with some things from both sides, but more leaning towards progressive and liberal values. And that puts a target on my head, too.
“It’s a scary time, for sure. I have friends that are right-wing. I have friends that are carnivore. I have lots of people in my life that I love, and one aspect of who they are doesn’t change the fact that I care about them,” she continued. “I’m not judging their entire personality on one tiny aspect of it. But we live in a society where people do that. They’re, like, ‘I hate vegans, and you’re a vegan, so I hate you.’ Or, ‘I hate liberals, and you’re a liberal, so I hate you.’ And it’s a shame, because there’s so much more to life than that. And I feel like people are kind of losing that now. They think that they have to hate certain people, and they have to align themselves with a very strict label, and you don’t have to do that. You can actually be an individual and be yourself. But I think people are really afraid to be like that now.”
The discussion comes as Blue Medusa continues to build momentum following its formation earlier this year. The band recently reached another milestone when it made its live debut on September 4 at Huxleys Neue Welt in Berlin, Germany, appearing as one of the headliners of the Corrupted Blood Club Show.
Blue Medusa‘s first-ever set consisted of four songs, with all four tracks receiving their live debuts. The band performed its singles “Flying Monkey,” “Crocodile” and “Checkmate,” before closing out the set with a cover of Nita Strauss‘s “The Wolf You Feed.”
Blue Medusa brings together White-Gluz with guitarists Alyssa Day of Mindscar and Absentia and Dani Sophia, formerly of Till Lindemann‘s band. The group’s live lineup is rounded out by bassist Alicia Vigil, known for her work with Dragonforce and Vigil Of War, and Stitched Up Heart drummer Delaney Jaster.
Having now made its official concert debut, Blue Medusa is set to bring its live show to several major festivals. The band will appear at Louder Than Life in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 18 and Aftershock in Sacramento, California, on October 2, before returning to Europe in 2027 for appearances at Wacken Open Air, Leyendas Del Rock and Summer Breeze Open Air.
