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Heavy metal band Slipknot is blamed for inspiring schoolboy to stab classmate to death
Last updated at 02:05am on 20.08.08
A heavy metal band due to perform in Britain has been blamed for an horrific school killing.
Slipknot, who play the Reading and Leeds festivals this weekend and are expected to announce a UK tour, are said to have inspired a teenager to stab a fellow pupil to death with a samurai sword.
The unnamed boy walked into his school in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday morning and fatally knifed the 16-year-old in the neck.
Inspiration: The boy wore a mask similar to that sported by Slipknot’s drummerJoey Jordison, bottom right, while carrying out the attack
He then stabbed another boy and two gardeners.
Witnesses claim the attacker was high on drugs and wearing a face mask similar to that sported by Joey Jordison, Slipknot’s drummer.
Pierre Eksteen, who is in charge of the school’s support network, said: ‘We know the wrong kind of music and drugs have bad effects. Young people need to be informed of the effects of bad satanic music.’
The U.S. band, who released their first album Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat. in 1995, are known for their macabre stage displays, in which they usually wear jumpsuits and homemade masks.
Slipknot’s spokesman said: ‘The band have no comment to make.’
Reader views (19)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
I don't think Slipknot is to blame for what this boy has just committed. But my personnel opinion on this is that maybe the kid had some kind of mental issue or some sort of depression or mental stress, he might have even just been bullied or abused. There is thousands of slipknot fans all over the world, that doesn’t mean that each and every one of them are going to start and human massacre just because they are a fan of Slipknot. Oh yeah one more thing THE KID WAS HIGH ON DRUGS!!! NOT CHOCOLATE BUT DRUGS I don't think any of the Slipknot songs told anyone or intended to tell people to take drugs and kill people.
SLIPKNOT RULZZ
- Rashid Khan, London England
As individuals, we each have to take responsibility for our words. No, Slipknot members did not directly cause this violience, but they did
directly influence it.
- Lizzie, Illinois, USA
What's with the 'due to perform in Britain' part- they've palyed here before.
- Sydney, London
man slipknot is not satanic they are heavy metal ok?? so that kid mustve had real problems in order to do that to someone and so if you look at iron maiden there not satanic and u look at their song number of the beast all right?? man that kid just wasnt right in the head slipknot rocks all right? no argument and if u want to see obvious satanic look at slayer not joey jordison k?
GO SLIPKNOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Ryan, Issaquah, U.S.A
You have got to be kidding me!!! Why do ignorant losers like this guy always have to blame heavy metal for the bad in this world? Learn the facts FIRST before you go around blaming other people for a murder!!!
SLIPKNOT ROCKS!!!!
- Alan, San Diego, United States
I listen to music that would be considered to be more "extreme", "violent" and "satanic" than Slipknot, like Cannibal Corpse, Obituary, Napalm Death, Cradle Of Filth, The Berzerker, Burzum etc, etc, and I don't feel the need to to go out and kill someone! Slipknot are pussycats compared to some of the bands and music out there. This South African kid is obviously a psycho!
- Mattpd, Liverpool
In the First place, look at the way these people are dressed, and look what kind of mask they have on. Second look at the way they making a mockery out of Jesus Christ, and plus look at the 666 sign in one of their concerts, so don't tell me that they not satanic.
- Camantha, South Africa
I'm not even particularly a Slipknot fan, but it's difficult to see what would connect them to this killing.
I mean, is JD Salinger responsible for John Lennon's death for writing A Catcher in the Rye?
- Minifig, London, UK
you have got to be joking !!!!!
why is it that the media always has to associate heavy music with Satan. do your bloody research first before writing such utter crap.
macarbe stage displays ?? has the journo even been to a Slipknot show or is just being typically ignorant and stereotypical like most media outlets.... yes, Slipknot's lyrics can look at the darker side of life but are certainly not satanic... it is stories such as these that make me angry, not the music.... to the journo that wrote this story, you are a fool
long live Slipknot !!!
- Bj, Brisbane Australia
One suspects that the drugs that the killer was on had more to do with his actions than 'Heavy Metal' music.
Just because you don't like a music genre, doesn't mean you have to demonise it.
- Tangomike, Kensington, London
The Metal community will always fall victim to ignorants. Just because this band doesn't worship God it doesn't make them Satanists.
- Simon, London, UK
It's not the the music it's the mask: The power of the mask.
- Chris Luke, Johannesburg, South Africa
I listened to Slipnot last night and surprisingly have not had the urge to slay somebody in cold blood !
Pierre is an idiot.
- Simon, Hanworth
I suppose all the yobbo kids in London stabbing one another are also listening to Slipknot.
- Gavin, London, England
Well any publicity for this weird band is good isn't it - even if it is at the expense of the life of some poor teenager - that's what gets record sales....
- Barbara, Sydney, australia
Blaming a band for inspiring this schoolboy's actions is irresponsible. This seems to be an easy first choice when something of this nature occurs. The schoolboy is responsible and his parents are responsible.
- Mark, Cape Town, South Africa
Music has nothing to do with it, SA has major problems with violence and murder, it's surprising a murder there is even news.
- Nick, london
Having seen Slipknot at Reading several years ago, what made me smile was at the end of their set they all said "Bye, thanks for having us take care of each other, it's pretty crazy here".
Not really the antics of a band who would tell people to kill others now is it?
Stop blaming music and take responsibility.
- S-M Hearmon, London, UK
...And if you play Judas Priest songs backwards you can hear a satanic message.
What a crock!
- Paul, london
