D.i.J. have always been a bit of a guilty pleasure. Totally love the music. How to describe it. Martial folk maybe. Very simple - acoustic guitar, horns, usually just a snare or a timpani, some synths, and Douglas Pearce’s stentorian voice.
It’s just that controversy has always swirled around them due to the imagery they evoke. Their death’s head logo is recognized by most as the Waffen SS symbol. They usually always appear in camouflage and it’s usually Waffen SS camo. Album sleeves have featured Nazi imagery, and Nazi music has been sampled in at least one of their songs. The lyrical imagery, besides just being generally foreboding and a bit morose, seems to flirt with fascistic themes.
But the odd thing is that Pearce is openly gay, he’s worked with several Jewish musicians, and the web site does (or did) explicitly state their support for the state of Israel. He coyly skirts around the issue of what exactly it is he’s trying to say with his music and imagery.
Oh what to make of it all.
The problem is that I may find the image unsettling, but I find the music anything but. I first heard them in 84, and I’ve been a big fan ever since. I ignore the image and just love the music.
I’d say this is probably their best song, even though they have many other great ones.
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