Glenn Danzig is facing a wave of backlash from fans after a controversial merchandise design surfaced at his recent concert. During his March 29 performance at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, the punk and metal legend was selling a T-shirt and poster that appeared to prominently feature the Black Sun symbol—a design historically linked to Nazi Germany. In the decades since World War II, the symbol has been widely adopted by neo-Nazi organizations and other far-right extremist groups, making its use a highly sensitive and inflammatory issue.
News of the merchandise spread rapidly online, with fans expressing their disappointment and outrage. Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), became flooded with posts calling Danzig out and demanding an explanation. One user wrote: “What the f**k is this, Glen @RealDanzig? This was designed by the f**king Nazis, so don’t try to hide behind ‘it’s an ancient symbol they co-opted and I’m taking it back.’ This is flatly Nazi s**t.
The Black Sun, or Schwarze Sonne, was originally used in Nazi occult imagery, notably incorporated into the floor of Heinrich Himmler’s Wewelsburg Castle—an ideological center for the SS. Over time, it has become a key emblem for various white supremacist movements around the world. Its presence can be seen in extremist propaganda, and it was even referenced by the perpetrator of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings, further cementing its status as a hate symbol.
While some fans have argued that the symbol has pre-Nazi origins, with roots in ancient Germanic and Indo-European cultures, the reality is that its modern usage is overwhelmingly associated with hate groups. Many musicians and public figures have faced intense scrutiny for using similar imagery, whether knowingly or unknowingly, and the response has often led to public apologies or swift retractions.
As of now, Danzig has yet to comment on the controversy or address whether the merchandise will be pulled from future sales.
