German black metal band Absurd is one of the most controversial entities in extreme metal history. The band is particularly known for their explicit association with National Socialist black metal (NSBM). This is also the driving force behind their criminal history.
Their Music Gave The Hints
According to documented sources, Absurd made their mark in the scene with their 1995 demo ‘Thuringian Pagan Madness.’ This release is considered one of the first explicitly NSBM recordings.
Member Hendrik Möbus clearly articulated the band’s ideological stance, once describing Nazism as the “most perfect (and only realistic!) synthesis of Satanic/Luciferian will to power, elitist Social Darwinism, connected to Aryan Germanic paganism.” This statement explained the band’s deliberate fusion of extreme political ideology with occult and pagan elements in their early years.
Dark Chapter In The Band’s History
Back then, Absurd’s notoriety went far beyond their musical endeavors. Their history is marked by violence and criminal activities. According to historical records, the band’s darkest chapter occurred in 1993 when original members Hendrik Möbus, Sebastian Schauseil, and Andreas Kirchner committed a shocking act of violence.
The trio murdered 15-year-old Sandro Beyer. They reportedly acted in retaliation for Beyer spreading rumors about the band’s activities and Schauseil’s personal life. They carried out the murder by strangling Beyer with an electrical cord.
The Southern Poverty Law Center reports that Möbus received an eight-year sentence in a juvenile facility for the murder. He violated parole after his release in 1998 by performing the Hitler salute at a concert. After his parole was revoked, he fled to the United States but was eventually arrested and extradited back to Germany to serve additional time.
They Still Continue To Make Music
Metal scene documentation shows that several of Absurd’s early songs are banned in Germany. The ban stems from their content glorifying violence and inciting hatred. This restriction has affected the band’s ability to perform as well as increasing scrutiny of the entire black metal genre, particularly its more extreme political elements.
Luckily, Absurd has undergone significant personnel changes since 1999. None of the original members remain in the current lineup though their controversial reputation has remained constant throughout these changes.
