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Satanic Panic: Pop-Cultural Paranoia in the 1980s
In the 1980s, it seemed impossible to escape Satan’s supposed influence. Everywhere you turned, there were warnings about a widespread evil conspiracy to indoctrinate the vulnerable through the media they consumed. This percolating cultural hysteria, now known as the “Satanic Panic,” not only sought to convince us of devils lurking behind the dials of our TVs and radios and the hellfire that awaited on book and video store shelves, it also created its own fascinating cultural legacy of Satan-battling VHS tapes, audio cassettes and literature. The second book by Canadian micro-publisher Spectacular Optical, Satanic Panic: Pop-Cultural Paranoia in the 1980s, offers an unprecedented and in-depth exploration of how a controversial culture war played out during the decade, from the publication of the memoir Michelle Remembers in 1980 to the end of the McMartin “Satanic Ritual Abuse” Trial in 1990. This new anthology, expected to be released in summer 2015, follows on the success of KID POWER!, Spectacular Optical’s inaugural book about cool, tough and sassy kids in cult film and television.
Satanic Panic: Pop-Cultural Paranoia in the 1980s features new essays and interviews by 20 emerging and established writers who address the ways the widespread fear of a Satanic conspiracy was both illuminated and propagated through almost every pop culture pathway in the 1980s, from heavy metal music to Dungeons & Dragons role playing games, Christian comics, direct-to-VHS scare films, pulp paperbacks, Saturday morning cartoons, TV talk shows and even home computers. The book also features case studies on McMartin, Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth and Long Island “acid king” killer Ricky Kasso. From con artists to pranksters and moralists to martyrs, the book aims to capture the untold story of the how the Satanic Panic was fought on the pop culture frontlines and the serious consequences it had for many involved.
Satanic Panic features essays and interviews by authors and media critics including Adam Parfrey (Apocalypse Culture), Gavin Baddeley (Lucifer Rising: Sin, Devil Worship and Rock n’ Roll), Liisa Ladouceur (Encyclopedia Gothica), David Flint (Sheer Filth!), Alexandra Heller-Nicholas (Rape Revenge Films: A Critical Study), Adrian Mack (The Georgia Straight), Forrest Jackson (Cosmic Suicide: The Tragedy and Transcendence of Heaven’s Gate), Alison Nastasi (Flavorwire), Leslie Hatton (Popshifter), David Canfield (Twitch), David Bertrand (Fangoria; Spectacular Optical), Alison Lang (Rue Morgue, Broken Pencil), Kevin L. Ferguson (Eighties People), Wm Conley (Deathwound), Kurt Halfyard (Twitch), Samm Deighan (Satanic Pandemonium), Stacey Rusnak (The Postnational Fantasy: Essays on Postcolonialism, Cosmopolitics and Science Fiction), Ralph Elawani (C’est complet au royaume des morts), Gil Nault (Liturgie apocryphe), one-man band John Schooley and Joshua Benjamin Graham, alongside co-editors Kier-La Janisse (House of Psychotic Women: An Autobiographical Topography of Female Neurosis in Horror and Exploitation Films) and Paul Corupe (Canuxploitation). The book also features comic art by Rick Trembles (Motion Picture Purgatory) and original illustrations by Toronto artist Mike McDonnell.
Satanic Panic: Pop-Cultural Paranoia in the 1980s features new essays and interviews by 20 emerging and established writers who address the ways the widespread fear of a Satanic conspiracy was both illuminated and propagated through almost every pop culture pathway in the 1980s, from heavy metal music to Dungeons & Dragons role playing games, Christian comics, direct-to-VHS scare films, pulp paperbacks, Saturday morning cartoons, TV talk shows and even home computers. The book also features case studies on McMartin, Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth and Long Island “acid king” killer Ricky Kasso. From con artists to pranksters and moralists to martyrs, the book aims to capture the untold story of the how the Satanic Panic was fought on the pop culture frontlines and the serious consequences it had for many involved.
Satanic Panic features essays and interviews by authors and media critics including Adam Parfrey (Apocalypse Culture), Gavin Baddeley (Lucifer Rising: Sin, Devil Worship and Rock n’ Roll), Liisa Ladouceur (Encyclopedia Gothica), David Flint (Sheer Filth!), Alexandra Heller-Nicholas (Rape Revenge Films: A Critical Study), Adrian Mack (The Georgia Straight), Forrest Jackson (Cosmic Suicide: The Tragedy and Transcendence of Heaven’s Gate), Alison Nastasi (Flavorwire), Leslie Hatton (Popshifter), David Canfield (Twitch), David Bertrand (Fangoria; Spectacular Optical), Alison Lang (Rue Morgue, Broken Pencil), Kevin L. Ferguson (Eighties People), Wm Conley (Deathwound), Kurt Halfyard (Twitch), Samm Deighan (Satanic Pandemonium), Stacey Rusnak (The Postnational Fantasy: Essays on Postcolonialism, Cosmopolitics and Science Fiction), Ralph Elawani (C’est complet au royaume des morts), Gil Nault (Liturgie apocryphe), one-man band John Schooley and Joshua Benjamin Graham, alongside co-editors Kier-La Janisse (House of Psychotic Women: An Autobiographical Topography of Female Neurosis in Horror and Exploitation Films) and Paul Corupe (Canuxploitation). The book also features comic art by Rick Trembles (Motion Picture Purgatory) and original illustrations by Toronto artist Mike McDonnell.
362 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
October 24, 2018
Satanic Panic details the cultural fears surrounding magic, music and the occult in the 1980s. It was a "panic" because none of these fundamentalist fever dreams were ever based on credible threats, and society eventually had to turn to other scapegoats when the doomsday predictions failed to materialize. The book is a series of essays by many authors, each exploring a different aspect of this period, with roots in the 60s and 70s and a lingering paranoia that has never fully dissipated. While most of the narrative occurs in the US, some chapters detail extensions of the panic into Canada, the UK, and Australia as well.
For me, this was a fun combination of recollection (as someone who was born in an evangelical Christian setting and witnessed enough Satanic fear to last a lifetime) and discovery of phenomena I'd never experienced. You'll learn about Anton LaVey (founder of the Church of Satan), Michelle Remembers (a book full of falsely recovered memories of ritual abuse - a term originating with its author), horror paperbacks, Dungeons & Dragons, Jack Chick tracts, mind-controlling Saturday morning cartoons, films like Evilspeak and 976-EVIL that preyed upon combined fears of technology and occultism, dark killers such as Ricky Kasso and Richard Ramirez, Geraldo Rivera's embarrassing Devil Worship: Exposing Satan's Underground NBC special and its copycats, metal music and its Christian clones, MTV, cult cinema, Christian radio shock jock (now exorcist) Bob Larson, comedian and former Satanist (ahem... exposed fraud) Mike Warnke, the famous McMartin preschool abuse case (an outlier of a chapter, arguing that some of the abuse was likely real, contra popular consensus), and even the Tom Hanks comedy The Burbs. It's a fascinating collection of stories and subjects, and is richly illustrated with various photos, illustrations, covers, posters and still frames. The quality of the essays are mixed, and many passages are repetitive. Each author seems unaware of the ground covered by others: it's an aspect that could have benefited from more editing and oversight. The text is also in wide blocks of sans-serif font, which made for somewhat uncomfortable reading.
Despite these small misgivings, it's a must-read for anyone interested in magic, the occult, pop culture and the history of moral panics. It's informed me greatly on the topic, and I've come away with piqued interest in many additional movies to watch and books to read.
For me, this was a fun combination of recollection (as someone who was born in an evangelical Christian setting and witnessed enough Satanic fear to last a lifetime) and discovery of phenomena I'd never experienced. You'll learn about Anton LaVey (founder of the Church of Satan), Michelle Remembers (a book full of falsely recovered memories of ritual abuse - a term originating with its author), horror paperbacks, Dungeons & Dragons, Jack Chick tracts, mind-controlling Saturday morning cartoons, films like Evilspeak and 976-EVIL that preyed upon combined fears of technology and occultism, dark killers such as Ricky Kasso and Richard Ramirez, Geraldo Rivera's embarrassing Devil Worship: Exposing Satan's Underground NBC special and its copycats, metal music and its Christian clones, MTV, cult cinema, Christian radio shock jock (now exorcist) Bob Larson, comedian and former Satanist (ahem... exposed fraud) Mike Warnke, the famous McMartin preschool abuse case (an outlier of a chapter, arguing that some of the abuse was likely real, contra popular consensus), and even the Tom Hanks comedy The Burbs. It's a fascinating collection of stories and subjects, and is richly illustrated with various photos, illustrations, covers, posters and still frames. The quality of the essays are mixed, and many passages are repetitive. Each author seems unaware of the ground covered by others: it's an aspect that could have benefited from more editing and oversight. The text is also in wide blocks of sans-serif font, which made for somewhat uncomfortable reading.
Despite these small misgivings, it's a must-read for anyone interested in magic, the occult, pop culture and the history of moral panics. It's informed me greatly on the topic, and I've come away with piqued interest in many additional movies to watch and books to read.
June 20, 2023
07/2017
The essays in this book discuss the birth of Recovered Memory Syndrome and Satanic Ritual Abuse (concepts in the air or in the zeitgeist which I remember from the early 1990s, late 1980s). It is amazing that Recovered Memories were ever taken seriously! There is so much great stuff here (with pictures!), spanning a broad spectrum of related topics, it is hard to focus on any thing particularly. I think the funniest one is that there was a Christian fear of the He-Man cartoon. Because any depiction of Pagan Magic is opening children to the occult, so they could become Satanists, so He-Man is clearly a conspiracy drawing kids into a Satanic Cult.
The essays in this book discuss the birth of Recovered Memory Syndrome and Satanic Ritual Abuse (concepts in the air or in the zeitgeist which I remember from the early 1990s, late 1980s). It is amazing that Recovered Memories were ever taken seriously! There is so much great stuff here (with pictures!), spanning a broad spectrum of related topics, it is hard to focus on any thing particularly. I think the funniest one is that there was a Christian fear of the He-Man cartoon. Because any depiction of Pagan Magic is opening children to the occult, so they could become Satanists, so He-Man is clearly a conspiracy drawing kids into a Satanic Cult.
December 11, 2017
Review from horror-underground.com
Looking back on the 1980s, the decade consisted mostly of haircuts, music, fantastic cartoons and amazing toys. While most people were content with the disposable nature of the decade, a seedy underbelly remained for many years that impacted everything from film and television to the games your children were playing. Satanism, cults, murderers, satanic rituals, yes, the 80s were a time for fear. With the threat of nuclear holocaust hanging over the heads of every citizen, nothing became more sinister, more vile, than the killer next door. Seemingly normal people were being turned into soulless agents of Lucifer, meticulously slaughtering thousands of innocent families in the quiet suburbs of every state. Or at least that is the picture religious groups would like you to believe. In reality, the so-called Satanic Panic hysteria of the 1980s is one of the most laughable skid marks on modern era society, one that could only be rivaled by the Video Nasty hysteria of the UK.
Satanic Panic: Pop-Cultural Paranoia In The 1980s explores the various topics through a series of essays, covering everything from Dungeons and Dragons, exploitation and horror cinema, rock’n’roll, and various other formats in which people thought Satan was utilizing to control America’s youth. Although some of the material is humorous to look back on, many of the fears stemmed from very real crimes and murders and as broad of a picture as the book tries to paint, almost every essay points to several key moments that set off a chain reaction of misplaced paranoia and fear. Clearly, the origin point for all of this, the 1980 memoir Michelle Remembers, written by Lawrence Pazder and Michelle Smith, is introduced within the first pages of the book and reappears more times than I could possibly count. The book and the fallout that surrounds it is intensely fascinating and Alexandra Heller-Nicholas tackles the subject with expert precision. It is, therefore, a bit of drag that this book and its story is repeated in almost every essay that precedes it. Same can be said about Geraldo Rivera’s primetime special Exposing Satan’s Underground, which once again is referenced to on an almost nauseating degree.
Despite the severe repetitious nature of the essays and their subject matter, Satanic Panic: Pop-Cultural Paranoia In The 1980s is a mesmerizing scrapbook that collects some of the most insane moments in modern American history. While I would typically prefer a more cohesive narrative than an anthology such as this, Satanic Panic is a worthwhile venture presented in outstanding packaging. Many new theories are presented and most of the essays induce thought-provoking concepts. Each segment and essay are also given a gorgeous art treatment that is reminiscent of punk rock zines of the 80s and 90s as well as displaying advertisements and pictures that add a visual depth to the stories that are shared. This glimpse into a truly bizarre moment in history is highly recommended.
Looking back on the 1980s, the decade consisted mostly of haircuts, music, fantastic cartoons and amazing toys. While most people were content with the disposable nature of the decade, a seedy underbelly remained for many years that impacted everything from film and television to the games your children were playing. Satanism, cults, murderers, satanic rituals, yes, the 80s were a time for fear. With the threat of nuclear holocaust hanging over the heads of every citizen, nothing became more sinister, more vile, than the killer next door. Seemingly normal people were being turned into soulless agents of Lucifer, meticulously slaughtering thousands of innocent families in the quiet suburbs of every state. Or at least that is the picture religious groups would like you to believe. In reality, the so-called Satanic Panic hysteria of the 1980s is one of the most laughable skid marks on modern era society, one that could only be rivaled by the Video Nasty hysteria of the UK.
Satanic Panic: Pop-Cultural Paranoia In The 1980s explores the various topics through a series of essays, covering everything from Dungeons and Dragons, exploitation and horror cinema, rock’n’roll, and various other formats in which people thought Satan was utilizing to control America’s youth. Although some of the material is humorous to look back on, many of the fears stemmed from very real crimes and murders and as broad of a picture as the book tries to paint, almost every essay points to several key moments that set off a chain reaction of misplaced paranoia and fear. Clearly, the origin point for all of this, the 1980 memoir Michelle Remembers, written by Lawrence Pazder and Michelle Smith, is introduced within the first pages of the book and reappears more times than I could possibly count. The book and the fallout that surrounds it is intensely fascinating and Alexandra Heller-Nicholas tackles the subject with expert precision. It is, therefore, a bit of drag that this book and its story is repeated in almost every essay that precedes it. Same can be said about Geraldo Rivera’s primetime special Exposing Satan’s Underground, which once again is referenced to on an almost nauseating degree.
Despite the severe repetitious nature of the essays and their subject matter, Satanic Panic: Pop-Cultural Paranoia In The 1980s is a mesmerizing scrapbook that collects some of the most insane moments in modern American history. While I would typically prefer a more cohesive narrative than an anthology such as this, Satanic Panic is a worthwhile venture presented in outstanding packaging. Many new theories are presented and most of the essays induce thought-provoking concepts. Each segment and essay are also given a gorgeous art treatment that is reminiscent of punk rock zines of the 80s and 90s as well as displaying advertisements and pictures that add a visual depth to the stories that are shared. This glimpse into a truly bizarre moment in history is highly recommended.
July 3, 2016
Not a bad entry into the world of the SATANIC PANIC. But the essays on D&D, heavy metal, McMartin Preschool, and the Gearldo specials are all covered with some depth. BUT for anyone looking a a more studied examination of the time when Satan lurked in every aspect of culture and the conspired with the highest ranks of society, you might be disappointed. While the writing is strong and readable, the text's font is a bit too edgy and became annoying to read. The book is "handsomely" illustrated. I am disappointed that the book chose to include Joe Dante's lesser film THE BURBS for its singular expose - there are so many better and more relevant movies that should have been discussed. Over all, decent but not the book i was hoping for.
Surprisingly, the Catholic Church's very real and systemic ritual abuse is never brought up. I see this as as major oversight. For I do think that a lot of the Satanic Panic was just misdirected from that scandal.
Surprisingly, the Catholic Church's very real and systemic ritual abuse is never brought up. I see this as as major oversight. For I do think that a lot of the Satanic Panic was just misdirected from that scandal.
November 19, 2015
While quality can very from chapter to chapter (as all anthologies do), an incredibly interesting bit of pop-culture ephemera, especially for those of us who lived through this (now) laughable period. As a child whose reasonable, rational mother suddenly decided Dungeons & Dragons would end in suicidal Satanic sacrifices, this book brought back a decade of entertaining forbidden fruit that has most definitely influenced my tastes today. From the ridiculousness of the fear of He-Man's "Hindu" indoctrination to the real-life horror of the McMartin Daycare Center trial, its all there.
As you read the book, play the fun game of seeing which fears are now being projected on Muslims, Homosexuals and Transgender people, or that decades-old favorite, Socialists. Hooray for our "advanced" society.
As you read the book, play the fun game of seeing which fears are now being projected on Muslims, Homosexuals and Transgender people, or that decades-old favorite, Socialists. Hooray for our "advanced" society.
July 17, 2018
Intriguing essays about the moral and satanic panic of the 80’s. Only complaint was the font; mixed with all the photographs, drawings, etc., it was too much.
April 27, 2025
(2.8)
February 14, 2018
Hampered by the essay-anthology format: there are some legitimately interesting pieces here, and others that spend page upon page analyzing truly minor and forgotten b-movies in blinding and excruciating detail. Some of the essays are written well, others could have benefited from a strong edit. Some good, some bad. Picked this up hoping it'd offer a complete history of the Satanic Panic era and it only provides partially complete segments of that history, interspersed with endless analysis of the era's reflection in b-movies not even that many people watched at the time.
November 3, 2025
This is my first non-fiction book in probably a decade. I was looking for something that was more of a timeline of events during the Satanic Panic era, but this book was a series of essays that delved into particular aspects of it. I did enjoy that each essay felt biased and that they came from a multitude of people from all walks of life. It can get a bit dry at times but overall I found it fascinating and will be following up on further research. It's a nice book to dip your toe into this insane era in history.
December 5, 2018
An excellent collection of essays on a fascinating topic. As with most collections, some of the essays were better than others but overall I really enjoyed it. At times baffling and heartbreaking, at other times more light-hearted and entertaining. The book itself is really well put together with a plethora of images to go alongside the essays. Highly recommended!
February 21, 2022
A collection of diverse essays about the moral panic that infected the US and a few other unfortunate countries in the 1980s. The styles vary from informal memoir to near-academic dissections of the exact nature of the madness that ruined the lives of a number of likely innocent people and created the basis for some of the lunacies of our own time. The cumulative effect of the contents creates a sort of unfunhouse mirror maze that indicts the media, the public's desire to believe in real monsters, and especially fundamentalist religion. Along the way, there are amusing digressions into the reflection of the madness in 1980s books, films, and music. Although a lot of the material was already familiar to me -- I paid attention to some of this craziness as it happened -- a lot of the detail wasn't and I learned about a few films I need to see.
Of course, the book also describes the foundations of much of our present day hysteria. Q-Anon, satanic pizza parlors, and other right-wing fundie madness have their roots right here (or maybe in Salem, Albigensian France, or the auto-da-fe). It's interesting that the editors apparently felt the need to include one dissenting article, by an apparently religious writer, that seems to suggest the panic was deliberately distorted to cover up crimes, that there were indeed devilish tunnels under that day care center, and that some of the people most inclined to deny satanic child abuse were themselves guilty of it. That article provides an excellent, inadvertent demonstration of how religion unbalances any debate and makes rational conclusions impossible.
Of course, the book also describes the foundations of much of our present day hysteria. Q-Anon, satanic pizza parlors, and other right-wing fundie madness have their roots right here (or maybe in Salem, Albigensian France, or the auto-da-fe). It's interesting that the editors apparently felt the need to include one dissenting article, by an apparently religious writer, that seems to suggest the panic was deliberately distorted to cover up crimes, that there were indeed devilish tunnels under that day care center, and that some of the people most inclined to deny satanic child abuse were themselves guilty of it. That article provides an excellent, inadvertent demonstration of how religion unbalances any debate and makes rational conclusions impossible.
February 9, 2022
Satanic Panic is a horror enthusiast’s must-have. This book takes you through movies, music, TV, board games, even true crime events of the 1980’s.
The only problem with this book is that, just like the now famous Paperbacks From Hell, every page leads to detailed internet searches and Amazon orders. You want to relive the movies through your new lens, and read about the cults your parents warned you about back in the day.
100% worth the read!
The only problem with this book is that, just like the now famous Paperbacks From Hell, every page leads to detailed internet searches and Amazon orders. You want to relive the movies through your new lens, and read about the cults your parents warned you about back in the day.
100% worth the read!
March 28, 2020
Un excelente viaje en varios ensayos por la época de la guerra cultural de Estados Unidos contra todo lo que pareciera remotamente satánico. D&D, heavy metal, y cine de terror se unen a crónicas de especuales televisivos de la más baja estofa que muestran uno de los períodos de mayor paranoia cultural del siglo XX.
October 3, 2023
I've grown up to be a spiritual & open-minded about the occult/witchcraft & I have alternative beliefs, I believe the Occult/witchcraft is real, I absolutely love vampires, I love various types of metal music, horror films, the horror genre in general so I don't understand what exactly a Fundamentalist Christian is.
I disagree with what people in general believe to be "evil" at least from the perspective of people in the 1980's or a fear mongering Christian's perspective/point of view.
Demons are neutral, not all demons care about humanity, some hate humanity.
It depends o your intention, what you want to achieve with the left-hand path, with witchcraft, what you want to achieve spiritually. Demons can be helpful, if you are respectful to them, loyal to them.
I've never been baptised, or gone to church, read the Christian Bible so I think it's quite easy for anyone that's Christian/religious to demonize something/someone that you have no idea about and don't understand, at least do some research before you condemn something other people enjoy, appreciate or are entertained by.
It's disrespectful to discredit, condemn, belittle, bowdlerize alternative religions/beliefs just because Christianity is a monotheistic religion ad alternative religions/beliefs and polytheistic religions/beliefs. Christians in my opinion are spiritual narcissists:
(The belief that your spiritual wisdom makes you more special than others.
It can be used to shield yourself from criticism, to impress others, or to enhance your-self-esteem and make you feel good about yourself.)
For example not all goths, or metalheads are in a vampire cult/satanic cult, are a satanist just because they love horror films, heavy metal/death metal bands or bands that use vampiric and satanic imagery, or are interested in the occult/witchcraft.
The same applies to horror films, books about vampires or the occult (especially the Satanic Bible is wasn't intended to be taken seriously, unless you are serious about being a satanist and want to join to the Church of Satan, The Temple of Set)
Animals are also never harmed, rape or abuse of any kind is prohibited,any member of the church of satan would be banned if they were discovered to be a child molestor.
Satanic witches only use a person's body as a symbolic altar,
(no human baby or virgins are ever sacrificed unless the person is a devil worshipper or they practise black magic and they are trying to achieve something specific like a curse, to summon a demon, curse someone etc..)
There is a big difference between edgy people that are a Devil-worshipper due to them thinking it is aesthetically cool/edgy and genuine Satanists
(most of them are a atheist and don't believe that Satan or Lucifer are a real celestial, fallen angel/powerful interdimensional supernatural entity/Demonic being or that they even exist)
"Michelle remembers" This "supposed" account of satanic ritualistic sexual abuse of a 5 year female child only resulted in a patient having a inappropriate relationship with her doctor.
Regression therapy or whatever the name of it was at the time helped to create false memories of events that never happened.
There is a film about this exact subject, regression therapy was eventually dismissed due to it not be a trustworthy form of therapy for victims of abuse.
Erotic horror books by Russ Martin, were controversial for the time that they were published due to the mix of sex & the occult.
At the time Rosemary's bay was released, as well as the exorcist more people were becoming interested in satanism, the occult or believed that demons or possession was real, so if they watched the film it would physically affect them which is really dumb by today's standards.
I have never played Dungeons & Dragons but I fail to see how it encourages anyone to want to engage in anything involving the occult, anything related to sex, drugs, alcohol, violence just because they have played a fantasy based roleplaying tabletop board game.
The fundamentalist Christians that condemned a lot of nerdy, or very intelligent people for playing this game be cause they couldn't tell the difference between fantasy and reality is ridiculous.
Due to the influence of people like Geraldo Riviera, he believed that there was a
"underground secret network satanic cult" that was influencing young people through different forms of entertainment for example dungeons & dragons, music videos horror films etc..
Why isn't Lord of the rings the books or films and the PC not Diablo considered "satanic?"
Anything could be considered satanic just because of the imagery that is used, such as magic, vampires and other supernatural creatures, occult symbols, but it doesn't necessarily mean that it is satanic just because a book, film CD/vinyl, videogames contains these aspects.
From the point of view of fundamentalist Christians then is H.P. Lovecraft's work satanic then?
He interviewed Ozzy Osbourne, Zeena schreck (Anton LeVay's daughter) and other people about the "supposed satanic underground cult" but he was just speculating whatever he wanted to fit his agenda and use Satanism as a scapegoat for the main force that was corrupting your people in america at the time. Did any of the Christians ever play dungeons & dragons, or ask their children about it?
How can they know if dungeons & dragons is satanic (in their opinion) if they have never played the game? It is a fantasy game that's all it is, nothing more stone else that read too much into it was taking the game and the supposed "satanic panic" threat way to seriously!
A lot of content on television that was viewed offensive or supposedly satanic wasn't involving the occult so how is it satanic? I think the fundamentalist Christians, priests, evangelist's were just trying to control people by fear mongering them into believing that what they were saying was true, even though there was never any evidence to prove satanic ritualistic abuse was ever real.
Satanic films were made for entertainment, the same allies for any metal band using satanic imagery, it is for entertainment purposes only, some members in metal bands are real satanists but not all of them! It is very easy to assume things about something you don't understand, together caught up in mass hysteria, just because on person has claimed that there is a satanic cult(s) throughout America and young people are involved.
The "filthy 15" list of songs only contains songs that Christians were merely offended by, there aren't really any true metal bands that would have a deserved place on the list, which makes the whole this seem very trivial and stupid.
If bands like mayhem (a Norwegian black metal/death metal band) was included then I would understand because they had a very anti-Christian, pro-satan aesthetic/vibe to their music but the songs listed are not satanic, it is satanic imagery, occult imagery was used and they were offended by drug use and sex used in the music videos.
Did any of the Christians actually listen to any of the songs on the list? How can you condemn something if you have never even listened to it?
I agree that there should be wage rating for horror films, books, videogames, CD's but I don't agree with censorship of that particular entertainment content or Christians having the power to get something banned just they are offended by it (depending on what it is)
Ricky Lasso "the acid king" at the time was a 17 year drug dealer and self-professed satanist that accused his friend Gary Lauwers of stealing his drugs. He murdered his friend and forced him to declare "say you love satan" Instead he said "I love my mother" he repeatedly stabbed his friend 32 times and gouged out his eyes. He supposed stole two tabs of mescaline and didn't pay him back so he was furious, questioned his friend about the missing drugs and then murdered him.
After the murder he would return with his friend to show them what he did.
He later returned to show people what he did.
A lot of band's were Influenced by the murder and the strange behaviour of Ricky Lasso.
He hanged him before the motive for murder could be determined.
I don't agree with the accusatory, paranoid, suspicious,
fear-mongering Christians that think any film, music, books, videogames, board games that have Occult themes or even Satanic themes would make a person instantly become a vile, predatory, sadistic, Satanist, necrophile, cannibal, rapist, murderer or serial killer.
I agree that people can be influenced by a outside source but it usually happens if the person is already mentally ill, delusional or susceptible to being influenced by other people due to them being naive & too trusting of people with the worst intentions.
People that are disturbed mentally, emotionally and unstable mentally & emotionally are more likely to commit crimes such as kidnapping, torture, rape, murder, necrophilia, Vampirism, cannibalism & for there to be a Occult, Satanic or Esoteric theme or Occult elements that the crime(s) involve.
The people that are Devil-worshippers have probably had sick, disgusting & disturbing fantasies of committing horrific crimes as part of a Satanic ritual to appease Satan.
Either by themselves or with other people involved.
The Italian murderers "The Beasts of Satan" are a good example.
Some of them probably have some knowledge of Satanism if they read the Satanic Bible by Anton LeVay, however real Satanists don't sacrifice animals or people to Satan, blood would more likely be offered because it has power and energy within it, blood is your essence & lifeforce.
Magically & spiritually blood is a powerful in it's use for blood magick or blood sacrifice.
The Satanic Panic just shows that people will use anything to justify their beliefs, to create mass hysteria to make people unnecessarily panic for no apparent reason, other than to convert more people to Christianity because they are afraid of Demons or of going to hell.
The band Kiss is NOT Satanic, nor is their makeup anyone that thinks they are Satanic is in my opinion incredibly dumb.
What the hell does "hair-metal" "glam-metal" have to do with Metal music or the Satanic Panic, obviously they aren't Satanic it's a load of bollocks.
I'm surprised that bands like Venom (from England), Slayer, Cradle of Filth, Behemoth, Emperor, Dimmu Borgir, Mayhem haven't been mentioned so far due to being genuine metal bands that write music about demons, Satan, worshipping Satan & his Legion of demons, use of Satanic or demonic imagery & artwork for their albums, or promotion of their tours.
Their music is entertaining and I love it so much.
In my opinion it is really dumb, ridiculous what is considered to be Satanic/Demonic/Evil, or anything that Fundamentalist Christians have tried to prohibit, ban or censor because they are morally opposed or offended by it.
Swearing in music, the "Video Nasties" VHS tapes are good examples, but even specific books like Harry Potter were banned because the characters are witches.
There have been various murders that involved young, impressionable people, so Metal music, the "Video Nasties" or violent horror films such as the Child's Play series of films were blamed as something that influenced people to commit horrible murders.
In my personal opinion, if a person is already mentally defective, susceptible or prone to violence, naive, easily influenced, if they are already mentally ill, disturbed, emotionally or mentally unstable they are more likely to commit a crime anyway.
Watching a horror film once, being a horror fan, listening to Metal music or being interested in the Occult, Witchcraft, the paranormal won't instantly make you a murderer like Fundamentalist Christians seem to automatically, inaccurately or unfairly assume.
I grew up watching horror films, I love Metal music, i've always been interested in the Occult, Witchcraft, the paranormal, i've never hurt animal, never commited a crime. I never will.
If your not already mentally defective, most normal people will grew up to be a normal person, that loves horror, love Metal music, practice witchcraft and there's nothing wrong with that.
It's not hurting anyone!
I don't understand what Christian Metal bands has to do with the Satanic Panic, the only relevancy it has is to combat the supposed Satanic influence of Norwegian, Swedish Black Metal/Death Metal bands. I'm not really sure why Christian Metal bands were mentioned in the book, for some of the things mentioned in the book, I don't see how or why it is associated with the Satanic Panic, so I wish more relevant actually associated with the Satanic Panic were mentioned in the books such as the numerous supposedly "Satanic crimes/Occult crimes" that have happened, that would be a lot more relevant that saying about Christian Metal/Glam Metal bands.
Just because a band uses Satanic/Demonic imagery, themes or the lyrics are about Satan his legion of demons, it doesn't necessarily make it Satanic, unless the band members specifically say they are a Satanist, or they practice witchcraft in my opinion then it can be considered genuinely Satanic.
A good example would the British band Akercocke they are genuine Satanists, they respect & worship Satan. Nergal the singer of the band Behemoth is a genuine Satanist.
The same applies for any band that writes any factual song about a serial killer, it's not for the purpose of glamorising serial killers, or murder, or Satanism the songs about serial killers are just factual.
Metal music has never been about glamorising murder, serial killers, Satan, the occult/witchcraft, but most Goths/Metalheads are a horror fan, interested in true crime, or the occult/witchcraft/the paranormal.
The thrash metal band Slayer is not a Satanic band, despite what people try to claim about them, which is usually either inaccurate, incorrect and insulting since i've always been a fan of Slayer, it's sad they are no longer a band, but they have been a awesome Metal band since the year I was born 1987.
None of the band members think that Satan is real, they are not a Satanists, it's just laughable to me that Slayer, Slipknot or Cradle of Filth are labelled as Satanic.
It is at least understandable for Cradle of Filth to be labelled as Satanic/Demonic, due to the imagery, theme, style of music they write, the perversity of their music, but creating dark, Metal music of any genre of Metal about demons, Satan, belief/worship or about witchcraft/the occult in general doesn't really mean that the music created, the band or the band members are Satanic.
The aesthetic of metal, is the traditional "corpse paint" makeup style that Dead from Mayhem created, to portray the look of death, to embody the essence of death, darkness or Satan if you believe in Satan or respect Satan.
Body modification, tattoos/piercings are part of the metalhead aesthetic, a lot of metalheads wear their favourite Metal band t-shirts, black leather, patches that have their favourite bands on their denim jacket.
It's not just a aesthetic though, it is a mindset and way of life as well, I will always be a Goth/Metalhead, a spiritual & open-minded person.
A lot of metalheads are former Christians that wish to distance themselves from dogmatic, tyrannical oppressive, controlling Christian faith & distance themselves religious abuse, religious oppression, spiritual narcissism the mindless sheep that blindly follow or believe in God
(only believing in a monotheistic religion & condemning any Polytheistic alternative pantheon/belief system including practicing witchcraft and believing in various Gods & Goddesses Christians arrogantly believe that their religion above any other should be believed in or worshipped which is spiritual narcissism!)
Everyone has free will to believe/not believe in God, or to choose a alternative spiritual path that resonates with them specifically without any outside influence.
Do what feels right for you spiritually, it doesn't matter if people disagree, or judge you for your beliefs, your faith, devotion to, in your heart or soul a Deity would know your true intentions and that is what matters the most, so discover your ancestry, your origins & honour/respect it.
A lot of imagination, creativity, knowledge of history, time, effort went into creating the music, people don't seem to appreciate or respect that for some reason, the music created doesn't always reflect the actual spiritual beliefs of the band/band members, it's just a creative outlet for them to express themselves creatively with their music.
I think for badass metal music written by a Catholic, it is perfection, I especially love the album God hates us all, it's so relatable and i'm not even a Christian.
Metal music has always been and always will be about unity, comradery of outcasts, misfits, loners, people that don't fit in, that are not accepted by society for whatever reason, it is about rebellion, but also it is about rejecting conformity, being controlled, oppressed, against tyrannical Christian, religious abuse/brainwashing.
The Era of the Satanic Panic is nothing more than a moral panic/mass hysteria/fear mongering by Fundamentalist Christians which is ridiculous without ever discovering any real proof of Satanic Ritual Abuse.
Although crimes/murders that have Satanic or Occult themes/aspects doesn't necessarily make it a Satanic/Occult crime, it depends on the circumstances some people are mentally ill, delusional and will commit a crime related to their spiritual beliefs.
It's stupid, insanity & pathetic in my opinion absolute ridiculous nonsense with no proof of anything, just speculation, assumptions,
pre-judging people for being different, or unfairly, inaccurately judging people & accusing them of horrible crimes when they were innocent, it's absolutely disgusting that innocent people's lives or careers were ruined due to lies, misinformation and mass hysteria.
I disagree with what people in general believe to be "evil" at least from the perspective of people in the 1980's or a fear mongering Christian's perspective/point of view.
Demons are neutral, not all demons care about humanity, some hate humanity.
It depends o your intention, what you want to achieve with the left-hand path, with witchcraft, what you want to achieve spiritually. Demons can be helpful, if you are respectful to them, loyal to them.
I've never been baptised, or gone to church, read the Christian Bible so I think it's quite easy for anyone that's Christian/religious to demonize something/someone that you have no idea about and don't understand, at least do some research before you condemn something other people enjoy, appreciate or are entertained by.
It's disrespectful to discredit, condemn, belittle, bowdlerize alternative religions/beliefs just because Christianity is a monotheistic religion ad alternative religions/beliefs and polytheistic religions/beliefs. Christians in my opinion are spiritual narcissists:
(The belief that your spiritual wisdom makes you more special than others.
It can be used to shield yourself from criticism, to impress others, or to enhance your-self-esteem and make you feel good about yourself.)
For example not all goths, or metalheads are in a vampire cult/satanic cult, are a satanist just because they love horror films, heavy metal/death metal bands or bands that use vampiric and satanic imagery, or are interested in the occult/witchcraft.
The same applies to horror films, books about vampires or the occult (especially the Satanic Bible is wasn't intended to be taken seriously, unless you are serious about being a satanist and want to join to the Church of Satan, The Temple of Set)
Animals are also never harmed, rape or abuse of any kind is prohibited,any member of the church of satan would be banned if they were discovered to be a child molestor.
Satanic witches only use a person's body as a symbolic altar,
(no human baby or virgins are ever sacrificed unless the person is a devil worshipper or they practise black magic and they are trying to achieve something specific like a curse, to summon a demon, curse someone etc..)
There is a big difference between edgy people that are a Devil-worshipper due to them thinking it is aesthetically cool/edgy and genuine Satanists
(most of them are a atheist and don't believe that Satan or Lucifer are a real celestial, fallen angel/powerful interdimensional supernatural entity/Demonic being or that they even exist)
"Michelle remembers" This "supposed" account of satanic ritualistic sexual abuse of a 5 year female child only resulted in a patient having a inappropriate relationship with her doctor.
Regression therapy or whatever the name of it was at the time helped to create false memories of events that never happened.
There is a film about this exact subject, regression therapy was eventually dismissed due to it not be a trustworthy form of therapy for victims of abuse.
Erotic horror books by Russ Martin, were controversial for the time that they were published due to the mix of sex & the occult.
At the time Rosemary's bay was released, as well as the exorcist more people were becoming interested in satanism, the occult or believed that demons or possession was real, so if they watched the film it would physically affect them which is really dumb by today's standards.
I have never played Dungeons & Dragons but I fail to see how it encourages anyone to want to engage in anything involving the occult, anything related to sex, drugs, alcohol, violence just because they have played a fantasy based roleplaying tabletop board game.
The fundamentalist Christians that condemned a lot of nerdy, or very intelligent people for playing this game be cause they couldn't tell the difference between fantasy and reality is ridiculous.
Due to the influence of people like Geraldo Riviera, he believed that there was a
"underground secret network satanic cult" that was influencing young people through different forms of entertainment for example dungeons & dragons, music videos horror films etc..
Why isn't Lord of the rings the books or films and the PC not Diablo considered "satanic?"
Anything could be considered satanic just because of the imagery that is used, such as magic, vampires and other supernatural creatures, occult symbols, but it doesn't necessarily mean that it is satanic just because a book, film CD/vinyl, videogames contains these aspects.
From the point of view of fundamentalist Christians then is H.P. Lovecraft's work satanic then?
He interviewed Ozzy Osbourne, Zeena schreck (Anton LeVay's daughter) and other people about the "supposed satanic underground cult" but he was just speculating whatever he wanted to fit his agenda and use Satanism as a scapegoat for the main force that was corrupting your people in america at the time. Did any of the Christians ever play dungeons & dragons, or ask their children about it?
How can they know if dungeons & dragons is satanic (in their opinion) if they have never played the game? It is a fantasy game that's all it is, nothing more stone else that read too much into it was taking the game and the supposed "satanic panic" threat way to seriously!
A lot of content on television that was viewed offensive or supposedly satanic wasn't involving the occult so how is it satanic? I think the fundamentalist Christians, priests, evangelist's were just trying to control people by fear mongering them into believing that what they were saying was true, even though there was never any evidence to prove satanic ritualistic abuse was ever real.
Satanic films were made for entertainment, the same allies for any metal band using satanic imagery, it is for entertainment purposes only, some members in metal bands are real satanists but not all of them! It is very easy to assume things about something you don't understand, together caught up in mass hysteria, just because on person has claimed that there is a satanic cult(s) throughout America and young people are involved.
The "filthy 15" list of songs only contains songs that Christians were merely offended by, there aren't really any true metal bands that would have a deserved place on the list, which makes the whole this seem very trivial and stupid.
If bands like mayhem (a Norwegian black metal/death metal band) was included then I would understand because they had a very anti-Christian, pro-satan aesthetic/vibe to their music but the songs listed are not satanic, it is satanic imagery, occult imagery was used and they were offended by drug use and sex used in the music videos.
Did any of the Christians actually listen to any of the songs on the list? How can you condemn something if you have never even listened to it?
I agree that there should be wage rating for horror films, books, videogames, CD's but I don't agree with censorship of that particular entertainment content or Christians having the power to get something banned just they are offended by it (depending on what it is)
Ricky Lasso "the acid king" at the time was a 17 year drug dealer and self-professed satanist that accused his friend Gary Lauwers of stealing his drugs. He murdered his friend and forced him to declare "say you love satan" Instead he said "I love my mother" he repeatedly stabbed his friend 32 times and gouged out his eyes. He supposed stole two tabs of mescaline and didn't pay him back so he was furious, questioned his friend about the missing drugs and then murdered him.
After the murder he would return with his friend to show them what he did.
He later returned to show people what he did.
A lot of band's were Influenced by the murder and the strange behaviour of Ricky Lasso.
He hanged him before the motive for murder could be determined.
I don't agree with the accusatory, paranoid, suspicious,
fear-mongering Christians that think any film, music, books, videogames, board games that have Occult themes or even Satanic themes would make a person instantly become a vile, predatory, sadistic, Satanist, necrophile, cannibal, rapist, murderer or serial killer.
I agree that people can be influenced by a outside source but it usually happens if the person is already mentally ill, delusional or susceptible to being influenced by other people due to them being naive & too trusting of people with the worst intentions.
People that are disturbed mentally, emotionally and unstable mentally & emotionally are more likely to commit crimes such as kidnapping, torture, rape, murder, necrophilia, Vampirism, cannibalism & for there to be a Occult, Satanic or Esoteric theme or Occult elements that the crime(s) involve.
The people that are Devil-worshippers have probably had sick, disgusting & disturbing fantasies of committing horrific crimes as part of a Satanic ritual to appease Satan.
Either by themselves or with other people involved.
The Italian murderers "The Beasts of Satan" are a good example.
Some of them probably have some knowledge of Satanism if they read the Satanic Bible by Anton LeVay, however real Satanists don't sacrifice animals or people to Satan, blood would more likely be offered because it has power and energy within it, blood is your essence & lifeforce.
Magically & spiritually blood is a powerful in it's use for blood magick or blood sacrifice.
The Satanic Panic just shows that people will use anything to justify their beliefs, to create mass hysteria to make people unnecessarily panic for no apparent reason, other than to convert more people to Christianity because they are afraid of Demons or of going to hell.
The band Kiss is NOT Satanic, nor is their makeup anyone that thinks they are Satanic is in my opinion incredibly dumb.
What the hell does "hair-metal" "glam-metal" have to do with Metal music or the Satanic Panic, obviously they aren't Satanic it's a load of bollocks.
I'm surprised that bands like Venom (from England), Slayer, Cradle of Filth, Behemoth, Emperor, Dimmu Borgir, Mayhem haven't been mentioned so far due to being genuine metal bands that write music about demons, Satan, worshipping Satan & his Legion of demons, use of Satanic or demonic imagery & artwork for their albums, or promotion of their tours.
Their music is entertaining and I love it so much.
In my opinion it is really dumb, ridiculous what is considered to be Satanic/Demonic/Evil, or anything that Fundamentalist Christians have tried to prohibit, ban or censor because they are morally opposed or offended by it.
Swearing in music, the "Video Nasties" VHS tapes are good examples, but even specific books like Harry Potter were banned because the characters are witches.
There have been various murders that involved young, impressionable people, so Metal music, the "Video Nasties" or violent horror films such as the Child's Play series of films were blamed as something that influenced people to commit horrible murders.
In my personal opinion, if a person is already mentally defective, susceptible or prone to violence, naive, easily influenced, if they are already mentally ill, disturbed, emotionally or mentally unstable they are more likely to commit a crime anyway.
Watching a horror film once, being a horror fan, listening to Metal music or being interested in the Occult, Witchcraft, the paranormal won't instantly make you a murderer like Fundamentalist Christians seem to automatically, inaccurately or unfairly assume.
I grew up watching horror films, I love Metal music, i've always been interested in the Occult, Witchcraft, the paranormal, i've never hurt animal, never commited a crime. I never will.
If your not already mentally defective, most normal people will grew up to be a normal person, that loves horror, love Metal music, practice witchcraft and there's nothing wrong with that.
It's not hurting anyone!
I don't understand what Christian Metal bands has to do with the Satanic Panic, the only relevancy it has is to combat the supposed Satanic influence of Norwegian, Swedish Black Metal/Death Metal bands. I'm not really sure why Christian Metal bands were mentioned in the book, for some of the things mentioned in the book, I don't see how or why it is associated with the Satanic Panic, so I wish more relevant actually associated with the Satanic Panic were mentioned in the books such as the numerous supposedly "Satanic crimes/Occult crimes" that have happened, that would be a lot more relevant that saying about Christian Metal/Glam Metal bands.
Just because a band uses Satanic/Demonic imagery, themes or the lyrics are about Satan his legion of demons, it doesn't necessarily make it Satanic, unless the band members specifically say they are a Satanist, or they practice witchcraft in my opinion then it can be considered genuinely Satanic.
A good example would the British band Akercocke they are genuine Satanists, they respect & worship Satan. Nergal the singer of the band Behemoth is a genuine Satanist.
The same applies for any band that writes any factual song about a serial killer, it's not for the purpose of glamorising serial killers, or murder, or Satanism the songs about serial killers are just factual.
Metal music has never been about glamorising murder, serial killers, Satan, the occult/witchcraft, but most Goths/Metalheads are a horror fan, interested in true crime, or the occult/witchcraft/the paranormal.
The thrash metal band Slayer is not a Satanic band, despite what people try to claim about them, which is usually either inaccurate, incorrect and insulting since i've always been a fan of Slayer, it's sad they are no longer a band, but they have been a awesome Metal band since the year I was born 1987.
None of the band members think that Satan is real, they are not a Satanists, it's just laughable to me that Slayer, Slipknot or Cradle of Filth are labelled as Satanic.
It is at least understandable for Cradle of Filth to be labelled as Satanic/Demonic, due to the imagery, theme, style of music they write, the perversity of their music, but creating dark, Metal music of any genre of Metal about demons, Satan, belief/worship or about witchcraft/the occult in general doesn't really mean that the music created, the band or the band members are Satanic.
The aesthetic of metal, is the traditional "corpse paint" makeup style that Dead from Mayhem created, to portray the look of death, to embody the essence of death, darkness or Satan if you believe in Satan or respect Satan.
Body modification, tattoos/piercings are part of the metalhead aesthetic, a lot of metalheads wear their favourite Metal band t-shirts, black leather, patches that have their favourite bands on their denim jacket.
It's not just a aesthetic though, it is a mindset and way of life as well, I will always be a Goth/Metalhead, a spiritual & open-minded person.
A lot of metalheads are former Christians that wish to distance themselves from dogmatic, tyrannical oppressive, controlling Christian faith & distance themselves religious abuse, religious oppression, spiritual narcissism the mindless sheep that blindly follow or believe in God
(only believing in a monotheistic religion & condemning any Polytheistic alternative pantheon/belief system including practicing witchcraft and believing in various Gods & Goddesses Christians arrogantly believe that their religion above any other should be believed in or worshipped which is spiritual narcissism!)
Everyone has free will to believe/not believe in God, or to choose a alternative spiritual path that resonates with them specifically without any outside influence.
Do what feels right for you spiritually, it doesn't matter if people disagree, or judge you for your beliefs, your faith, devotion to, in your heart or soul a Deity would know your true intentions and that is what matters the most, so discover your ancestry, your origins & honour/respect it.
A lot of imagination, creativity, knowledge of history, time, effort went into creating the music, people don't seem to appreciate or respect that for some reason, the music created doesn't always reflect the actual spiritual beliefs of the band/band members, it's just a creative outlet for them to express themselves creatively with their music.
I think for badass metal music written by a Catholic, it is perfection, I especially love the album God hates us all, it's so relatable and i'm not even a Christian.
Metal music has always been and always will be about unity, comradery of outcasts, misfits, loners, people that don't fit in, that are not accepted by society for whatever reason, it is about rebellion, but also it is about rejecting conformity, being controlled, oppressed, against tyrannical Christian, religious abuse/brainwashing.
The Era of the Satanic Panic is nothing more than a moral panic/mass hysteria/fear mongering by Fundamentalist Christians which is ridiculous without ever discovering any real proof of Satanic Ritual Abuse.
Although crimes/murders that have Satanic or Occult themes/aspects doesn't necessarily make it a Satanic/Occult crime, it depends on the circumstances some people are mentally ill, delusional and will commit a crime related to their spiritual beliefs.
It's stupid, insanity & pathetic in my opinion absolute ridiculous nonsense with no proof of anything, just speculation, assumptions,
pre-judging people for being different, or unfairly, inaccurately judging people & accusing them of horrible crimes when they were innocent, it's absolutely disgusting that innocent people's lives or careers were ruined due to lies, misinformation and mass hysteria.
July 19, 2019
An interesting read overall but I did not know it was going to be a series of essays. That kind of lessened the experience for me as I was expecting (and would have preferred) an overall assessment of the era. The essay format means a lot of information is repeated (i.e.: Tipper Gore and the PMRC) but it's not a huge deal.
It's worth reading and I think the most interesting chapters are in the first third of the book. The Satanic Film chapter is too long and doesn't add much and the end gets into more regional Satanic Panic stuff (i.e.: Canada)..........so what?
The Genesis P-Orridge chapter was interesting, but only because I'm a Psychic TV, Throbbing Gristle and Chris Carter fan.....
Overall I'd recommend but with reservations.
It's worth reading and I think the most interesting chapters are in the first third of the book. The Satanic Film chapter is too long and doesn't add much and the end gets into more regional Satanic Panic stuff (i.e.: Canada)..........so what?
The Genesis P-Orridge chapter was interesting, but only because I'm a Psychic TV, Throbbing Gristle and Chris Carter fan.....
Overall I'd recommend but with reservations.
July 17, 2019
Five stars for its deep-dives into the collective freak-outs of the 1980s -- from D&D to He-Man to Geraldo to the PMRC. Most of the essays in this books absolutely riveted me. A few were exceedingly granular; a few others just didn't grab me, but that's true of any essay collection. This book gives so much context and detail support to what I only partly remember and barely grasped at the time. Anyone even half as fixated on the phenomenon of the Satanic Panic should definitely read this. (And if you're NOT obsessed with the Satanic Panic, WHY NOT? It's completely bananas.)
October 25, 2018
terrifying
September 12, 2019
An amazing deep dive into how the satanic panic spread across different forms of media.
May 24, 2020
A collection of essays that different iterations of the panic that swept the world. Enjoyed thoroughly!
February 7, 2024
I liked the pictures :)
July 17, 2021
Great collection of essays about the Satanic Panic goings-on in America and beyond - it was great to read about this happening in other countries besides the US - lots of nostalgia here as well!
January 7, 2023
Interesting retrospective on the absurdity of the 1980s ethical paranoia.
January 12, 2019
For those of us who grew up in the '80s the term Satanic Panic likely brings back memories of the PMRC and the Washington Wives, threats of evil films and the warning dark forces were attempting to steal our souls.
That's why SATANIC PANIC felt like a walk back through my childhood. A revisit of all those threats that, even as a preteen , I knew was simple bullshit. Yet, like many growing up in the times, the panic actually helped create us. The films which were being singled out made it to our 'must watch' list and the albums Tipper Gore and her ilk were rallying against provided a shopping list for many metalheads.
SATANIC PANIC takes us back to those days with intelligent, well-researched and, at times, humourous, looks at various elements of the belief Satanic cults were recruiting, sacrificing and destroying youth. It's an academic look at the situation but not written in a heavy-handed approach meaning it's pretty accessible for all readers.
That's why SATANIC PANIC felt like a walk back through my childhood. A revisit of all those threats that, even as a preteen , I knew was simple bullshit. Yet, like many growing up in the times, the panic actually helped create us. The films which were being singled out made it to our 'must watch' list and the albums Tipper Gore and her ilk were rallying against provided a shopping list for many metalheads.
SATANIC PANIC takes us back to those days with intelligent, well-researched and, at times, humourous, looks at various elements of the belief Satanic cults were recruiting, sacrificing and destroying youth. It's an academic look at the situation but not written in a heavy-handed approach meaning it's pretty accessible for all readers.
October 29, 2020
NOTE: CONTENT WARNING FOR ABUSE HIDDEN BEHIND SPOILERS TAG
When I was a student in an Orthodox Jewish day school in the 1980s and 1990s, I wasn't interested in Dungeons & Dragons, but friends of mine who were now recall (correctly or incorrectly) that our school frowned on fantasy roleplaying games, to say the least, because of their allegedly dark influence on impressionable children. (Any such ban could also have been because D&D didn't fit within a "Torah lifestyle", and it has been established elsewhere that other fiats by the administration at the time were equally unfounded.) Yet, the concept that D&D was somehow "demonic" or "Satanic" wasn't really part of the Zeitgeist in an Orthodox Jewish milieu, Patricia Pulling's Jewish background notwithstanding; any such opposition by my day school was for Other Reasons. So Satanic Panic: Pop-Cultural Paranoia in the 1980s was somewhat revelatory to me, insofar as it amply illustrated the sheer extent to which "religious fundamentalist entrepreneurs" (to adapt a phrase from scholar of religion {and avowed nerd} Joseph P. Laycock {mainly since I can't recall Laycock's actual terminology}) pervaded the general cultural Zeitgeist of the 1980s, from recreation to music to film to TV and so forth.
In their introduction, editors Kier-La Janisse and Paul Corupe note openly that "[i]t would be a mistake to assume that any one exposed fraud invalidates all claims of abuse that came to light during the Satanic Panic"—as well as that "there are cover-ups, cock-ups and conspiracies—but often they're not where you're looking for them" (p.16); in essay after essay, the various contributors that combination of facts more than abundantly clear. In essay after essay, the contributors elaborate on the nuances of the Satanic Panic in a great amount of depth, and they repeatedly point out where the actual focus misdirected from where it should have been. Satanic Panic is more than just a book of criticism of the various elements of 1980s culture (going into the 1990s in some cases); there is serious analysis in a fair number of these essays, all too frequently from people who actually experienced these elements of the popular culture. (The essays from Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Alison Nastasi, Kevin L. Ferguson, and Lisa Ladouceur are especial standouts in this regard as the Satanic Panic relates to American culture; Ralph Elawani and Gil Nault, Heller-Nicholas, and David Flint compellingly—and frighteningly—examine how it extended abroad.) The respective authors' contributions hammer home the point that it was all too frequently youth culture that was demonized (figuratively and literally), and that nonconforming youths were at a distinct disadvantage in the conformist, Reaganite culture of the 1980s; as such, in D*nald Tr*mp's America in 2020, Satanic Panic resonates, if only because his presidency represents the apotheosis of the creeping repression and regressive backlash against women's, LGBTQ, and other social rights that the Reagan era brought to the fore originally.
Not all the essays work; most notably, Adam Parfrey's foreword seems superfluous, Forrest Jackson's contribution seems pointless—and Adrian Mack's essay is hugely problematic. (For all that Mack decries the cherrypicking of alleged historical fact of the McMartins' guilt by those who documented the case afterwardsMack himself cherrypicks information that damns the McMartins, and elides any information that doesn't fit his thesis. ) But where Satanic Panic works, even by removing the veil from now-formerly obscure individuals, it works like gangbusters, and shines a light—the best disinfectant in this case—on a truly shameful period in Western culture.
March 21, 2018
Like most collections, some essays are duds and others are brilliant. But I'd be lying if I said it wasn't the full-gloss image-packed design of this book that drew me in. I came for the trashy pictures, I stayed for (and lingered and savored) the well-researched social commentary.
Terrific for 1980s kids who woke up one day wondering "what in the hell has come over my up-until-this-point extremely intelligent, secular, reasonable, reality-based parents?" Full disclosure: that kid was me. My parents burned my Poison album (the one with the tongue) after watching Geraldo's Satanism special. My spouse says I should thank them for that...although not because it saved me from Satan, just really terrible music. He's not wrong.
Terrific for 1980s kids who woke up one day wondering "what in the hell has come over my up-until-this-point extremely intelligent, secular, reasonable, reality-based parents?" Full disclosure: that kid was me. My parents burned my Poison album (the one with the tongue) after watching Geraldo's Satanism special. My spouse says I should thank them for that...although not because it saved me from Satan, just really terrible music. He's not wrong.
April 24, 2017
An excellent group of essays with a fatal flaw that makes the book almost irrelevant. Read the essay by Adrian Mack as an example of the sloppy thinking and abject ass stupidity that leads to innocent people in jail and lives ruined because of ignorance and magical thinking that religion brings to all situations. I have to wonder if this article was added as a joke. Read Mack's story last as an example of what blind idiocy brings.
May 8, 2022
This underground press approach to the 1980s Satanic Panic revisits some familiar themes but also delves into some of the lesser-explored aspects of the infamous moral panic. It's also a scrapbook of Satanic-themed ephemera – on almost every page there's an illustration of one kind or another: Christian paperback and pulp horror covers, newspaper clippings, stills from films and television shows, heavy metal promos. All are "reproduced in the spirit of publicity" – the publisher even dares to reproduce a few frames from the fundamentalist tracts of Jack Chick, despite his estate's notoriously aggressive approach to copyright.
The book's authors are zine editors, pop culture critics and enthusiasts, artists and occultists; some of the essays are academic, but others take a more gonzo approach – one author relates how he used to prank call a radio show hosted by the self-promoting "exorcist" Bob Larson, while another once drove the self-declared fake "ex-Satanist" Mike Warnke. The tone is set by Adam Parfrey's Foreword, in which he reminisces about Anton LaVey, and Kier-La Janisse's Introduction, in which she recalls the "aimlessness and morbidity of growing up in the 1980s", adding that "many of the essays in this book recount tales of apathetic and lost teens turning to heavy music, extreme movies and role-playing games as a means of escaping a confusing world." Looking back to the 1960s and 70s, she identifies the panic's seeds with the occult revival of the 1960s and then the occult horror cinema of the 1970s: "By the time the 1980s rolled around, people had already been groomed to believe that there could be occultists living next door".
The 1988 Geraldo "Devil Worship Special" provides a point of reference for several contributors. This carnival spectacle crystalised the panic into a lurid narrative for mainstream America, demanding answers from a line-up of folk devils while not actually listening to what they might have to say: those displayed included the singer Ozzy Osbourne (these days a harmless national treasure), a 21-year-old Zeena LaVey ("even now, talking about it, I feel my chest tightening up") and Michael Aquino ("very annoying to all of us on the panel to be used in that way"). Some Satanic Panic discourses were simply risible –Phil Phillips's evangelical "Turmoil in the Toybox" crusade against 1980s children's toys is described as "camp" – but others were sinister. Innocent people were accused of murder and child sex abuse, and the chapter on the hoax memoir Michelle Remembers reminds us that the author was herself exploited and vulnerable.
The book's focus is mainly on the USA, although there are chapters that focus on Canada, Australia and the UK – the last describes a media hysteria around the transgressive artist Genesis P-Orridge, whose home was raided by police while he was out of the country following a Dispatches documentary hosted by Andrew Boyd ("a U.K. current affairs TV show that has gained a reputation, over the years, for occasionally playing somewhat fast and loose with the truth"). This was in 1992, just as Philip Jenkins's book Intimate Enemies: Moral Panics in Contemporary Great Britain (reviewed here) was being published.
One chapter stands out for a different emphasis, complaining that the backlash against Satanic Panic has meant that actual abuse has been overlooked. This includes, the author suggests, details concerning the McMartin Preschool case, and he takes particular aim at the False Memory Syndrome Foundation. He claims that it is "less well-known… that the FMSF was formed under a dark cloud of abuse accusations levelled against its executive directors Pamela and Peter Freyd by their adult child", when this is actually common knowledge. Polemics here are a substitute for engagement with memory phenomena – the term "False Memory Syndrome" is outdated, but there is no doubt that people can be convinced (or convince themselves – see my review here) of things that simply did not happen.
The same author ends by claiming that abuse rings "with direct ties to the highest establishment figures have resurfaced in the public sphere" in the UK, citing Haut de la Garenne, Elm Guest House and Dolphin Square. Here it should be noted that Satanic Panic was published in 2015, at a time of heightened tabloid sensationalism in the UK, typified by false claims made by the likes of Carl Beech and Chris Fay. This was the contemporary reiteration of the broader "moral panic" phenomenon which the Satanic Panic was just a part; but while alternative researchers and writers instinctively defend adherent of misunderstood and vilified subcultures, there's apparently less compassion, and less scepticism, when the targets are old Tories such as Harvey Proctor (memoir reviewed here).
The book's authors are zine editors, pop culture critics and enthusiasts, artists and occultists; some of the essays are academic, but others take a more gonzo approach – one author relates how he used to prank call a radio show hosted by the self-promoting "exorcist" Bob Larson, while another once drove the self-declared fake "ex-Satanist" Mike Warnke. The tone is set by Adam Parfrey's Foreword, in which he reminisces about Anton LaVey, and Kier-La Janisse's Introduction, in which she recalls the "aimlessness and morbidity of growing up in the 1980s", adding that "many of the essays in this book recount tales of apathetic and lost teens turning to heavy music, extreme movies and role-playing games as a means of escaping a confusing world." Looking back to the 1960s and 70s, she identifies the panic's seeds with the occult revival of the 1960s and then the occult horror cinema of the 1970s: "By the time the 1980s rolled around, people had already been groomed to believe that there could be occultists living next door".
The 1988 Geraldo "Devil Worship Special" provides a point of reference for several contributors. This carnival spectacle crystalised the panic into a lurid narrative for mainstream America, demanding answers from a line-up of folk devils while not actually listening to what they might have to say: those displayed included the singer Ozzy Osbourne (these days a harmless national treasure), a 21-year-old Zeena LaVey ("even now, talking about it, I feel my chest tightening up") and Michael Aquino ("very annoying to all of us on the panel to be used in that way"). Some Satanic Panic discourses were simply risible –Phil Phillips's evangelical "Turmoil in the Toybox" crusade against 1980s children's toys is described as "camp" – but others were sinister. Innocent people were accused of murder and child sex abuse, and the chapter on the hoax memoir Michelle Remembers reminds us that the author was herself exploited and vulnerable.
The book's focus is mainly on the USA, although there are chapters that focus on Canada, Australia and the UK – the last describes a media hysteria around the transgressive artist Genesis P-Orridge, whose home was raided by police while he was out of the country following a Dispatches documentary hosted by Andrew Boyd ("a U.K. current affairs TV show that has gained a reputation, over the years, for occasionally playing somewhat fast and loose with the truth"). This was in 1992, just as Philip Jenkins's book Intimate Enemies: Moral Panics in Contemporary Great Britain (reviewed here) was being published.
One chapter stands out for a different emphasis, complaining that the backlash against Satanic Panic has meant that actual abuse has been overlooked. This includes, the author suggests, details concerning the McMartin Preschool case, and he takes particular aim at the False Memory Syndrome Foundation. He claims that it is "less well-known… that the FMSF was formed under a dark cloud of abuse accusations levelled against its executive directors Pamela and Peter Freyd by their adult child", when this is actually common knowledge. Polemics here are a substitute for engagement with memory phenomena – the term "False Memory Syndrome" is outdated, but there is no doubt that people can be convinced (or convince themselves – see my review here) of things that simply did not happen.
The same author ends by claiming that abuse rings "with direct ties to the highest establishment figures have resurfaced in the public sphere" in the UK, citing Haut de la Garenne, Elm Guest House and Dolphin Square. Here it should be noted that Satanic Panic was published in 2015, at a time of heightened tabloid sensationalism in the UK, typified by false claims made by the likes of Carl Beech and Chris Fay. This was the contemporary reiteration of the broader "moral panic" phenomenon which the Satanic Panic was just a part; but while alternative researchers and writers instinctively defend adherent of misunderstood and vilified subcultures, there's apparently less compassion, and less scepticism, when the targets are old Tories such as Harvey Proctor (memoir reviewed here).
August 23, 2023
An enjoyable read (for the most part). It’s not an academic study or a chronological survey of events, but a collection of essays touching on different areas of pop culture that were effected by Satanic Panic. It escapes a 5 star review because of the essay by Adrian Mack. I have no problem at all with a critique of the way a film misrepresents real events. It’s a necessary part of media analysis and discussion. I do, however, have a problem with using that critique as a way to insert already disproven theories from sources which support conspiracy narratives that have thoroughly debunked. I’m not sure whether there was some feeling that there was a need to provide “balance” in including an essay that seems to believe Satanic Ritual Abuse was real or what, but in a book of well written pieces that gave good documentation for their arguments, that Adrian Mack piece stood out like a sore thumb, because as the conspiracy theories and theorists succeeded in doing at the time, it tries to create the argument that saying Satanic Ritual Abuse did not exist is the same as saying that child sexual abuse and organized networks of abusers can’t or don’t exist. These are not the same. child sex abuse does exist, and there are small networks of people who share and profit from the production of child sex abuse materials. Human trafficking exists, and minors are forced into what amounts to sex slavery in those contexts. That these things exist is one of the most important reasons for learning from Satanic Panic is crucial. If you are chasing phantoms, in the form of non-existent Satanic cults, committing fantasy rituals, that is time and resources which should be devoted to the actual crimes against children that actually happen. Mack’s essay demonstrates exactly the thinking which allowed Satanic Panic to take hold, and for law enforcement and other authorities to waste precious time and resources chasing Satanic cults that didn’t exist, instead of getting to investigating what child sexual abuse may have actually occurred. Those resources were clearly not spent getting to the reality of the conspiratorial behavior in the Boy Scouts or the Catholic Church, where the abuse wasn’t conspiratorial, but the cover ups certainly were, because this was behavior committed by trusted institutions, not by some shadowy, nationwide network of Satanic cults.
December 13, 2018
It is perhaps difficult now to imagine that just a generation ago there was great anxiety over things like heavy metal, Dungeons & Dragons, horror movies, and alleged Satanic cults. The fact that this cultural phenomenon, known colloquially as the 'Satanic Panic', is fading into obscurity gives great value to books like these, because we would do well to remember.
Satanic Panic can be read and enjoyed on many levels. It can be a simple "blast from the past", where you bring back fond memories of gory horror films, Saturday morning cartoons, and rock albums. It can be an exploration of the social sciences, with phenomena like perceptual priming and "false memory syndrome" revealing insights into the workings of the human mind. It can also be a confrontation with a dark past. Though I'm too young to have much recollection of the eighties (I saw the light in 1984), I've seen my fair share of Chick tracts and scaremongering films like A Thief in the Night, so some of the content really hit home for me.
Last but not least it can be a warning from the past, a very topical exploration of the evils which paranoia can spawn. False accusations of widespread child abuse has destroyed careers, ripped families apart, and sent many innocent people to jail. Stale as the content might seem to some, as recently as 2015 people have been released from prison after false convictions of Satanic Ritual Abuse were overturned.
As the book is a compilation of several dozen articles written by just as many authors, you may find that the quality varies, though I found the majority to be well worth my time. What is interesting is that the content of these essays often overlap, bringing a multi-faceted perspective on this bizarre history which can only come from a group of creative and knowledgeable people working independently on the same project. The downside of the limited essay size, naturally, is that we're gaining width at the expense of depth: some of these topics are deserving of a more thorough examination.
All in all, Satanic Panic is a well-written and heavily illustrated collage of a history that would be hilarious if it wasn't for all the ills it has caused. As it turns out, an imaged Satan can be just as destructive as a real one.
Satanic Panic can be read and enjoyed on many levels. It can be a simple "blast from the past", where you bring back fond memories of gory horror films, Saturday morning cartoons, and rock albums. It can be an exploration of the social sciences, with phenomena like perceptual priming and "false memory syndrome" revealing insights into the workings of the human mind. It can also be a confrontation with a dark past. Though I'm too young to have much recollection of the eighties (I saw the light in 1984), I've seen my fair share of Chick tracts and scaremongering films like A Thief in the Night, so some of the content really hit home for me.
Last but not least it can be a warning from the past, a very topical exploration of the evils which paranoia can spawn. False accusations of widespread child abuse has destroyed careers, ripped families apart, and sent many innocent people to jail. Stale as the content might seem to some, as recently as 2015 people have been released from prison after false convictions of Satanic Ritual Abuse were overturned.
As the book is a compilation of several dozen articles written by just as many authors, you may find that the quality varies, though I found the majority to be well worth my time. What is interesting is that the content of these essays often overlap, bringing a multi-faceted perspective on this bizarre history which can only come from a group of creative and knowledgeable people working independently on the same project. The downside of the limited essay size, naturally, is that we're gaining width at the expense of depth: some of these topics are deserving of a more thorough examination.
All in all, Satanic Panic is a well-written and heavily illustrated collage of a history that would be hilarious if it wasn't for all the ills it has caused. As it turns out, an imaged Satan can be just as destructive as a real one.
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