A Threat from Hell?

Who feels threatened by Heavy Metal? What is so offensive? Is it the music, the lyrics or the references to religion and death after life? These were some of the questions raised by rock musician Moe Hamzeh at the Conference on Freedom of Expression in Beirut in October 2005

Moe Hamzeh, a producer and rock musician who plays with his bands ‘The Kordz’ every Saturday at the club Nova in Beirut told his story. He was confronted by the Lebanese authorities during a general campaign against Heavy Metal in Lebanon.

Moe Hamzeh explained:
"After Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain committed suicide, a young man in Beirut killed himself. He may simply have had family problems but his father was an important general in the Lebanese army. The government discovered that the young man had Nirvana CDs and wore black clothes, so they decided that he must have been influenced by Kurt Cobain. The police went to music stores to ask what the CDs was that people bought. The General Security apparatus created a black list of bands, even including Pink Floyd. Young people wearing black and going to clubs were interrogated at the Ministry of Defense.
Government and police representatives said that modern music was calling on young people to commit suicide and was paying tribute to Satan. Pictures were found about life after death, terror movies, pentagrams and goats. These were considered Satanic. Some things were allowed; others were tightened up. In 2003 a kid died from an overdose. He was from an eminent school and high society and a new campaign against musicians were launched. There were mentions of black masses, cemeteries, satanic rituals. People were interrogated about their friends."


Six hours of investigation

"We were called to the office responsible for fighting terrorism and crime. The security officer invited us for a cup of coffee. We were punctual and well dressed. We arrived at eight in the morning sharp and waited until ten. Then they said they were busy and we should come back tomorrow. We were angry but did not want a confrontation. The lawyers told us not to sign anything. The following day we were taken to a room with sound-proofed walls and a glass window where someone was watching us. It was like in a movie. I was in charge.
They asked, ‘Do you adore Satan? Do you play 'Hotel California'? Do you play 'California Dreaming'?’
We told them that our musicians were playing music rather than joining militias.
They kept asking, ‘The people coming to your club are they devil-worshippers? What do you mean by the strange way you dress, your loose t-shirts and earrings?’
They asked us about our posters of Dali’s paintings. They did not beat us but there were six hours of investigation. Then, when we performed they wanted to film our performance. The chief investigator even came to me at the end of the performance and congratulated me on my nice voice."

Moe Hamzeh is the Virgin Megastore product manager in Beirut and performs with his rock band ‘the kordz’ at the Club Nova in Beirut. He discussed the censorship in Lebanon of Heavy Metal.