Blackface In Bavarian Bands: A Troubling Tradition Explained

Black metal bands often use corpse paint, a style of body painting that makes the musicians appear inhuman, corpse-like, or demonic. This involves making the face and neck white (or pale) and the area around the eyes and mouth black, with red marks to signify blood or laceration. The use of black and white face paint was first associated with metal performers in the late 1970s and '80s, with the band King Diamond of Mercyful Fate and Black Rose being early adopters.

To appear inhuman, corpse-like, or demonic

The use of black and white face paint, also known as corpse paint, is a distinctive feature of the black metal aesthetic. Musicians use this style of body painting to appear inhuman, corpse-like, or demonic. The face and neck are typically painted white or pale, with black around the eyes and mouth, and sometimes red marks to signify blood or laceration.

The origin of corpse paint can be traced back to the late 1970s and 1980s when metal performers began to adopt this style of face paint. Vocalist King Diamond of Mercyful Fate was an early adopter, using face paint similar to corpse paint as early as 1978 in his band Black Rose. Per "Dead" Ohlin of the band Mayhem is credited with coining the term "corpse paint" and was the first to explicitly associate the style with an attempt to look like a corpse. Ohlin's bandmate, Necrobutcher, confirms this intention, stating that "It wasn't anything to do with the way Kiss and Alice Cooper used makeup. Dead actually wanted to look like a corpse. He didn't do it to look cool."

The use of corpse paint became extensively popular in the early Norwegian black metal scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with bands like Mayhem, Emperor, and Satyricon adopting the style. However, some bands eventually stopped using corpse paint, citing its loss of individualistic meaning and its increased trendiness due to its widespread adoption.

While black metal bands are the primary users of corpse paint, the style has also been employed by shock rock artists such as Arthur Brown and Alice Cooper, and professional wrestlers like Sting and Vampiro. The use of black and white face paint adds to the menacing and demonic appearance often associated with these performers, creating a visually striking and often controversial effect.

To portray a fictional Black character

The practice of darkening one's skin to portray a fictional Black character, commonly known as blackface, has a long and controversial history in the entertainment industry. It involves a non-Black person, typically a white performer, darkening their skin and often exaggerating their features to portray a caricature of a Black person. This practice has been widely criticised as racist and offensive, perpetuating negative and stereotypical depictions of Black people that were historically used to entertain white audiences.

In the case of Bavarian bands, there have been instances where performers have faced backlash for donning blackface. For example, in 2021, a satirical program on Bavarian public television featured a comedian performing in blackface, sparking outrage on social media. The sketch involved a white cabaret artist portraying a fictional Black dictator, complete with darkened makeup and a uniform. This incident is not isolated, as Germany has faced repeated criticism for instances of blackface in its television shows and for a lack of diversity in its programming.

The use of blackface by Bavarian bands and other performers in Germany is not a new phenomenon. It draws from a history of minstrel shows in the US during the 19th century, where white actors portrayed Black slaves in a stereotypical and demeaning manner. The practice trivialised slavery and reinforced racist ideologies. While blackface may have evolved over time, its use continues to be highly controversial due to its historical context and the offensive stereotypes it perpetuates.

It is important to recognise that blackface is not just a matter of artistic expression or satirical exaggeration. It has deep roots in a history of racism and dehumanisation. By darkening their skin and exaggerating features, performers engage in a form of racial mockery that reinforces negative stereotypes and contributes to the marginalisation of Black people. As such, the practice of blackface by Bavarian bands and other performers has rightfully faced strong opposition and criticism.

While the intention behind the use of blackface by Bavarian bands may vary, it is essential to consider the historical context and the impact it has on Black communities. Portraying fictional Black characters through blackface reinforces a history of racist stereotypes and denies opportunities for genuine representation of Black people in the entertainment industry. It is crucial that performers and broadcasters recognise the harmful nature of blackface and work towards creating diverse and inclusive content that respects and uplifts all races.

To evoke the evil clown trope

The use of black and white face paint in Bavarian bands can be seen as a way to evoke the evil clown trope. This trope, popularised by shock rock artists like Arthur Brown and Alice Cooper, involves creating a menacing and sinister presence on stage through the use of dramatic makeup and costumes.

Zal Cleminson of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band is known for his distinctive style of face paint and colourful clothes, which add to his intimidating stage presence. This style of performance art, which combines visual and auditory elements, has been influential in shaping the image and aesthetic of many metal and rock bands.

The evil clown trope taps into the inherent fear and unease that clowns can evoke, and the use of black face paint enhances this sense of darkness and malevolence. By embracing this trope, Bavarian bands can create a visually striking and memorable stage presence, capturing the attention of their audience and leaving a lasting impression.

The juxtaposition of black and white face paint creates a stark contrast, emphasising the eyes and mouth, and can be used to distort and exaggerate facial features. This technique not only enhances the visual impact but also adds to the sense of the macabre and the theatrical, blurring the lines between reality and performance.

By adopting the evil clown trope, Bavarian bands can explore themes of darkness, chaos, and the uncanny, pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable and comfortable. This aesthetic choice becomes a tool to challenge societal norms, provoke emotional responses, and leave a lasting impression on their audience, both visually and musically.

To appear menacing

The use of black and white face paint, or "corpse paint", in the heavy metal scene is often employed to make the musicians appear inhuman, corpse-like, or demonic. Musicians will often have a trademark style, with the paint typically involving a white (or pale) face and neck, sometimes with red marks to signify blood, and black makeup around the eyes and mouth. The use of corpse paint is perhaps the most identifiable aspect of the black metal aesthetic.

The use of black face paint around the eyes and mouth, in particular, can be used to create a menacing appearance. This style of face paint was popularised by shock rock artists such as Arthur Brown and Alice Cooper, and members of the band Kiss in the 1970s. Guitarist Zal Cleminson of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band wore face paint and performed in a menacing manner that evoked the evil clown trope.

In the late 1970s and '80s, black and white face paint became more associated with metal performers. Vocalist King Diamond of Mercyful Fate wore face paint similar to corpse paint as early as 1978 in his band Black Rose. Per "Dead" Ohlin of Mayhem was the first to explicitly associate the face paint with an attempt to look like a corpse, according to drummer Jan Axel "Hellhammer" Blomberg of the same band.

The use of corpse paint in the black metal scene can be seen as a way for musicians to adopt a menacing and demonic persona. By painting their faces to resemble corpses or demons, they create a sense of shock and evoke feelings of darkness and horror. This style of makeup is often used to enhance the band's performance and add to the overall atmosphere of their live shows.

While the use of corpse paint in heavy metal and shock rock is a well-known and long-standing tradition, it is important to note that the use of blackface by non-black performers in other contexts has a history of perpetuating negative racial stereotypes and causing offence, particularly when used to mimic or mock people of colour.

To make fun of African countries

The practice of Bavarian bands painting their faces black has a long history of using negative, racial stereotypes for the entertainment of white audiences. This practice, known as blackface, originated in the 19th century with so-called minstrel shows in the US, which trivialized slavery. Today, blackface is widely considered offensive due to its historical context and perpetuation of harmful stereotypes.

In Germany, the use of blackface by Bavarian bands and in other contexts has sparked outrage and criticism on social media and from anti-racism activists. One such incident involved a sketch on Bavarian television featuring a white cabaret artist dressed as a fictional Black dictator. The sketch was deemed racist and sparked a wave of backlash, with social media users and journalists decrying the portrayal and the public broadcaster for airing it.

While the intention behind the sketch was satirical, targeting a former Bavarian leader, it was criticized for perpetuating negative stereotypes and making fun of African countries. This incident is part of a broader debate about racism in German media and society, including the lack of diversity in programming and the continued use of blackface in comedy sketches.

Racism and discrimination against people of African descent in Germany is not limited to the entertainment industry. According to a survey, 54% of immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa in German-speaking Europe reported experiencing racist harassment, well above the EU average of 30%. Additionally, there is a history of German colonialism in Africa, which has had lasting impacts on the continent and contributed to negative perceptions and treatment of Africans.

Frequently asked questions