SLIPKNOT 'Is Not Going To Respond' To Accusations It Inspired South African Schoolboy Killer

August 20, 2008

A representative for SLIPKNOT's record label, Roadrunner Records, has told South Africa's The Times web site that the band had no comment regarding reports that the schoolboy (18-year-old Morné Harmse) who stabbed a fellow student to death with a sword in Krugersdorp, South Africa Monday morning (August 18) was dressed like SLIPKNOT drummer Joey Jordison.

Declining to provide her name, the woman at Roadrunner Records said: "We've had no confirmation that it was, in fact, a SLIPKNOT mask. The band is not going to respond."

When asked how they had found out about the stabbing, the representative would say only that people had been phoning the label all day.

Local South African metal bands defended the music genre. As Internet forums from across the world buzzed over the incident, commentators said metal music had "always drawn the short end of the stick" in being linked to Satanism and teenage violence.

Hugo Louw of metal band FEARSTRIKE told The Times: "If you are down, then the music [lyrics] will work with your mind. You need to be mentally strong to listen to that kind of music."

Louw said it was not fair to blame incidents such as the one in Krugersdorp on the music.

"It is not fair to blame it on heavy metal ... it tells fans to show people you are strong and to not be afraid."

Read the entire report from The Times.

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