Thy Art Is Murder, a renowned deathcore band from Sydney, Australia, recently made headlines for firing their lead singer, CJ McMahon, due to his inflammatory anti-trans social media posts.
McMahon had been the frontman of the band since its inception in 2006. However, in March 2021, he sparked outrage with a series of transphobic posts on his personal Instagram account. His posts included derogatory comments about transgender people, which were met with immediate backlash from fans and fellow musicians alike.
In response to the outcry, the band released a statement, announcing that McMahon was “no longer a member of Thy Art Is Murder” and that the group “cannot condone or tolerate the views expressed by CJ.” The band members stated that they “firmly stand in solidarity with their LGBTQI+ fans, friends, and peers. They also made it clear that “hate speech, bigotry, and discrimination have no place in metal or any other music genre.”
McMahon’s firing from the band was met with overwhelming support from fans and the metal community alike. It marks a major step forward for the metal genre, which has long been plagued by controversies surrounding its musicians’ views on gender and sexuality.
This move by Thy Art Is Murder serves as an important reminder that hate speech and discrimination have no place in music. It also reinforces the idea that all genres should be open and welcoming to everyone, regardless of gender, sexuality, or any other factor.
By taking a stand against bigotry and intolerance, Thy Art Is Murder has sent a strong message that hate speech and discrimination will not be tolerated. This move sends a powerful signal to the metal community and beyond that such conduct will not be tolerated. It is a testament to the power of music to bring people together, regardless of their differences.
