Lamb of God vocalist Randy Blythe is once again reaffirming his dedication to addressing political and social issues through his public platform. The heavy metal frontman strongly believes that artists who possess a global reach have an inherent responsibility to highlight injustices and push back against the establishment.
During a recent conversation with the Mexican newspaper “Excélsior,” the singer thoroughly detailed his perspective on activism within the heavy music community. Pointing to the real-world impact that international conflicts and tragedies have on his diverse circle of friends, he explained exactly why staying silent simply isn’t a viable option for him.
“There are [other] bands that are using their platform. Out of the punk rock world, Dropkick Murphys, for sure, speak up about things. For me, I feel as if I don’t really have a choice, when I see these things happening in my own country and around the world and our neighbors in Mexico. I have good friends from Mexico. Like most recently with the chaos with the assassination of the cartel head, of the Jalisco cartel. A friend of mine who works in security was working in Canada. He had to get home, back home to Tijuana, to get his daughter to make sure she was safe. And then he had to go to Colima to get his dad, ’cause he was stuck in the middle of all this stuff. So, for me, when I see problems, whether they be of American making or whatever else, it’s not just a news story for me, because I have friends all over the world. I have friends on every single continent except for Antarctica, and that’s only because there’s no one there but the penguins. So when I see these stories, it’s not just a news story to me, ’cause generally I know someone affected. So I have to care. And if I care, then if I truly care and I want for things to be better, given the fact that I do have a platform, and given the fact that punk rock, heavy metal and hardcore and rock and roll is historically a resistance music, then I need to use that platform. It’s what I’m built for. It’s what this type of music was built for. It’s not built to accept the status quo, to stand in line. No — no, thank you.”
In a recent interview with Sam Law for the U.K.’s Kerrang! magazine, the vocalist passionately defended his right to use his platform to speak out against injustice.
“To those people, I say ‘Go f**k yourself.’ I’m an American citizen and a world traveler. More than that, I’m a human being. I’m not some dancing monkey put here for your entertainment. If you have any sort of moral compass at all, it’s irresponsible to not exercise your right to speak up. If people are willing to compartmentalize something like a child s*x trafficking ring because they think it might better their bank account, they’ve lost a component of their humanity. They’ve lost an integral part of what it is to be a righteous human being. At that point, it’s time to stop and reassess and reevaluate. You’re not going to be able to carry your money into the grave, motherf**ker, but you will be able to carry the memories of silently going along with people that enabled child s*x predators. How are you going to feel about that on your death bed?”
Despite his frustration with societal enablers, the singer noted that he remains hopeful for a better future, even while acknowledging his naturally darker worldview.
“There is an apocalyptic side to my nature. I will admit that, and plenty of our lyrics reflect it,” he stated, before elaborating on the critical importance of civic engagement:
“I have to watch myself with that. I have to acknowledge that that possibility exists. But I don’t need to sink into glorifying it. It’s okay to pay attention to what’s going on and be worried, but you need to do your best to change it. Everyday citizens in a functional democracy have a right to vote and they need to not become apathetic. I have a lot of problems with our American system. There are things that are archaic such as the electoral college, which should be abolished. But that is the only system we have right now. And if I do not engage in it and do my best to be a force for positive change, then I am abdicating responsibility and handing what little bit of control I have — my agency — over to someone else.”
Addressing the widespread sense of voter fatigue across the globe, Blythe urged fans to take action rather than surrender to a sense of helplessness.
“In general, I see that fatalist, defeatist attitude in people and it bums me out. Like, ‘Oh, it doesn’t make a difference…’ Well, you’re right, because if you don’t do anything, then that won’t make any difference at all,” he explained.
He added: “So please carry yourself to the voting booth and do what you can. I don’t understand politics in the U.K., but I do know that you need to vote. Don’t just be an apathetic slug and complain when everything turns to s**t.”
